"Riding includes respect for nature, knowledge, a goal and dedication. It is action and meditation at the same time, a constant search for balance and finding oneself."

S. Mosen

 

My first riding instructor, a friend of Liselotte Linsenhoffs, of course adhered to the guidelines of the German Equestrian Association, which emerged from HD.v.12!

This was followed by further training with various well-known trainers. Unfortunately, the more "advanced" the level of training, the more energetic the help should be: "Drive more, hand in hand, hold against, sit in ...".

The preoccupation with the teachings of the "old masters", starting with Xenophon via Pluvinel, de la Guérinière, Baucher, Steinbrecht to Oliveira, to name just a few, made me pause. Because it should be exactly the other way round: the further a horse is trained, the easier and more invisible the rider's help.
Whether a training path can be described as classic will depend on the one hand on its interdisciplinary and timeless relevance, but also on whether it is a race-independent, gentle method that has been copied from nature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1998 I met Philippe Karl while looking for a training path that would meet this need and make the most economical use of the resources. His philosophy of the training plan in the Ecole de Légèreté is absolutely logical and is based in everything on the nature of the horse. He demonstrates an above-average commitment to horse-friendly training!

In 2001 I benefited in particular when Philippe Karl worked with my husband and me at the Trakehner stud in Webelsgrund. Mr. Karl was responsible for the training of the stud horses, his own horses were also there. I had the chance to learn intensively from him for a year.

Riding a Trakehner stallion, which he trained up to high school, trained my feeling for the French Légèreté in particular. After Mr. Karl lived in France again, I continued working the stallion and presented it at stallion shows.

In 2007 I passed the examination to become a licensed riding instructor (level 3) of the Ecole de Légèreté. And since December 2010 I have been training prospective riding instructors at the school.

 

What distinguishes the Ecole de Légèreté?

 

• It respects the nature of every horse and thus trains all horses regardless of their breed.

• It is based on the nature of the horse and the teachings of old masters and incorporates the latest scientific findings and a lot of experience.

• It has a logical training plan, separates the aids and thus corresponds to the latest research into the learning behavior of horses.

• It stops using the aids (self-holding) when the horse shows the desired reaction and knows how to adjust the balance that is required for the respective exercise.

• Coercive means, auxiliary reins, locking straps etc. are taboo!

 

The answer to the above question is clearly YES. The Ecole de Lègèreté is clearly a classic riding teaching.

 

At a time when dressage is dominated by economic aspects and we are exposed to fads (e.g. Rollkur, LDR) from trainers whose own skills in the saddle are often not nearly sufficient, I am grateful to have found the Légèreté.

In this sense, I look forward to everyone who has become curious and who cares about the well-being of the horse.