Philosophy
In this section you can learn more about my background to help you find out on which wavelength I am tuned. From my point of view, it is very important that the chemistry is right between instructor and student so that the lessons can bear fruit. Thanks to my parents and teachers I have learned to swim against the current and I am able to afford the luxury of doing what I personally think is right, which is a wonderful gift.
The passion for horses with their grace and elegance has captivated me very early in my life and has been the center of my life ever since. Luckily, my parents were extremely supportive so that I have been able to indulge in this wonderful hobby since the tender age of six. In my school holidays I spend the time at the yard of my still highly-valued ridging instructor Ottilie Berger, a good friend of Liselotte Linsenhoff. At this time, the FN guidelines were still adhered to and all the experts were in agreement on what is right and what is wrong. After getting my trainer’s license (Trainer B, FN), I started giving riding lessons. This provided me with a sound basis of knowledge and experience.
Later on, I had other riding instructors. My own young Trakehner mare was starting very nicely. I participated in clinics of various riding instructors, some of them well-known. However, I am afraid to say, the more advanced their level was, the stronger aids they asked for: ‘More legs, more hands, resist with your hands…’ Naturally, this was at the expense of harmony, suppleness and lightness. Knowing that this should really be quite the reverse, made me pause.
Looking for a way of training and teaching horses and riders that would satisfy this desire, I met Philippe Karl in 1998. The explanations he gives and his riding philosophy are convincing and logical. He shows exceptional dedication to horse-friendly training - a genuine horseman. As a result, a considerable change is often visible after only a few lessons: HORSE AND RIDER QUICKLY RADIATE HARMONY AND LIGHTNESS AGAIN
When I started training with Philippe Karl, I rediscovered my original pleasure in riding, saw some silver lining on the horizon at last. Teaching makes sense to me again and it makes me happy to see my students and their horses make considerable progress. To think I had been about to give up resignedly!
Since 1999 I have organized several clinics per year with Philippe Karl. Working closely with him on a Trakehner stud farm in 2001 was an excellent opportunity for me to profit from his profound knowledge and riding skills by taking lessons with him several times a week as well as watching him in his daily training. Riding one of his stallions that he had schooled to the level of piaffe and passage was a unique experience for me. Even though I had previously ridden other horses on the same level, riding this horse allowed me to feel what it means to ride in lightness.
In 2007, I became a licensed teacher of the School of Légèreté after successfully completing my exams on Level III.
Since December 2010, I hold teachers’ clinics for the School in Austria and southern Germany.
Especially in times like ours, in which dressage is dominated by commercial aspects and we are exposed to temporary riding fashions, e.g. ‘Rollkur’, promoted by certain trainers whose own virtuosity in the saddle is not even of an acceptable level, I am very grateful to have found such an appreciated teacher as Monsieur Karl.
Beside this I became very interested in yoga and so I integrate breathing and meditation techniques as well as working with mental images into my lessons. I am sure this all will help to succeed in forming a unity with your horse!
Do you truly care for the well-being of your horse? Have I attracted your curiosity and are you interested in learning more about the way I work? Please contact me - I am happy to answer your questions.
My aim is and always has been what many classical riding masters have described: Perfect unity with my horse – a pleasure to the ‘inner’ and the ‘outer’ eye. And this is what I want to be able to teach as well.
Course Structure
Weekly lessons only in the area of Hannover/Germany in Springe-Gestorf.
Have a look: Rittergut von Ilten in Springe-Gestorf
Open 3 -days courses
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max. 8 participants, only private lessons
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individual lessons, depeneding on the main problems, feedback
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improving the aids, the basis work, like: suppleness, relaxation, lightness casual state, aims, how to reach these aims
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theory-lessons "handout"
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Training at the longe with the caveson
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Work in hand
Costs
3-days-clinic with your own horse 300,-€/ rider
plus costs for the journey, lodge and board
Courses in overseas countries: 900,-€/day plus cost for the journey, lodge and board
Upcoming Events
Bevorstehende Veranstaltungen
Sa., 13. Jan.Oberaula13. Jan. 2024, 08:00 – 14. Jan. 2024, 18:00Oberaula, 36280 Oberaula, Deutschland
So., 19. Nov.Reitanlage Hellwig & Matthes GbR - Reits19. Nov. 2023, 08:30 – 22. Nov. 2023, 14:00Reitanlage Hellwig & Matthes GbR - Reits, Zwischen Zäunen 4, 37619 Pegestorf, Deutschland19. Nov. 2023, 08:30 – 22. Nov. 2023, 14:00Reitanlage Hellwig & Matthes GbR - Reits, Zwischen Zäunen 4, 37619 Pegestorf, DeutschlandTheorie und Praxis für Reitlehrer der Ecole de Légèreté, Zuschauer und Gastreiter für pädagogische Einheiten herzlich willkommen. Anmeldungen bei S.Hellwig: 0172 5225187
Mi., 15. Nov.Reitanlage Hellwig & Matthes GbR - Reits15. Nov. 2023, 08:30 – 18. Nov. 2023, 14:00Reitanlage Hellwig & Matthes GbR - Reits, Zwischen Zäunen 4, 37619 Pegestorf, Deutschland15. Nov. 2023, 08:30 – 18. Nov. 2023, 14:00Reitanlage Hellwig & Matthes GbR - Reits, Zwischen Zäunen 4, 37619 Pegestorf, DeutschlandTheorie und Praxis für Reitlehrer der Ecole de Légèreté, Zuschauer und Gastreiter für pädagogische Einheiten herzlich willkommen. Anmeldungen bei S.Hellwig: 0172 5225187
Sa., 11. Nov.Balance Stables, Franzis Vehrenberg11. Nov. 2023, 08:30 – 12. Nov. 2023, 17:00Balance Stables, Franzis Vehrenberg, Hörsteloe, 48683 Ahaus, Deutschland11. Nov. 2023, 08:30 – 12. Nov. 2023, 17:00Balance Stables, Franzis Vehrenberg, Hörsteloe, 48683 Ahaus, DeutschlandDer Weg zu feinen Hilfen nach der Ecole de Légèreté, Arbeit an der Hand, gymnastizierendes Longieren, Reiten, Jeder ist herzlich willkommen. Franzis Vehrenberg nimmt gern Anmeldungen entgegen: 0151-50668455
Sa., 04. Nov.Reitanlage Härtsfeldhof04. Nov. 2023, 08:00 – 07. Nov. 2023, 14:00Reitanlage Härtsfeldhof, Hohenberg 3, 73441 Bopfingen, Deutschland04. Nov. 2023, 08:00 – 07. Nov. 2023, 14:00Reitanlage Härtsfeldhof, Hohenberg 3, 73441 Bopfingen, DeutschlandTheorie und Praxis für Reitlehrer, der Weg zu feinen Hilfen, Gastreiter für die pädagogischen Einheiten und Zuschauer sind immer herzlich willkommen! Anmeldungen nimmt Lena Nuding, hier mit ihrer Quarterstute, gern entgegen: 0175-4472889
Mo., 30. Okt.Eiflerhof Heike Mohr30. Okt. 2023, 08:30 – 01. Nov. 2023, 17:00Eiflerhof Heike Mohr, Am Rotherech 10, 55606 Limbach, Deutschland
Do., 26. Okt.Sandra Klein Hengstwalderhof26. Okt. 2023, 08:00 – 29. Okt. 2023, 14:00Sandra Klein Hengstwalderhof, Waldziegelhütte, 66914 Waldmohr, Deutschland26. Okt. 2023, 08:00 – 29. Okt. 2023, 14:00Sandra Klein Hengstwalderhof, Waldziegelhütte, 66914 Waldmohr, DeutschlandTheorie und Praxis für Reitlehrer der Ecole de Légèreté, Zuschauer und Gastreiter für pädagogische Übungseinheiten herzlich willkommen. Anmeldungen bitte bei S.Klein: 0170 - 4730813
Fr., 22. Sept.Köln22. Sept. 2023, 08:00 – 24. Sept. 2023, 17:00Köln, Hardthofstraße 80, 51069 Köln, Deutschland
Fr., 01. Sept.Gestorf, Von Ilten01. Sept. 2023, 08:30 – 03. Sept. 2023, 17:00Gestorf, Von Ilten, Hannoversche Str. 32, 31832 Springe, Deutschland
Do., 27. JuliSandra Klein Hengstwalderhof27. Juli 2023, 08:00 – 30. Juli 2023, 14:00Sandra Klein Hengstwalderhof, Waldziegelhütte, 66914 Waldmohr, Deutschland27. Juli 2023, 08:00 – 30. Juli 2023, 14:00Sandra Klein Hengstwalderhof, Waldziegelhütte, 66914 Waldmohr, DeutschlandTheorie und Praxis für Reitlehrer der Ecole de Légèreté, Zuschauer und Gastreiter für pädagogische Übungseinheiten herzlich willkommen. Anmeldungen bitte bei S.Klein: 0170 - 4730813
Mo., 24. JuliEiflerhof Heike Mohr24. Juli 2023, 08:30 – 26. Juli 2023, 17:00Eiflerhof Heike Mohr, Am Rotherech 10, 55606 Limbach, Deutschland
Do., 20. JuliReitanlage Härtsfeldhof20. Juli 2023, 08:00 – 23. Juli 2023, 14:00Reitanlage Härtsfeldhof, Hohenberg 3, 73441 Bopfingen, Deutschland20. Juli 2023, 08:00 – 23. Juli 2023, 14:00Reitanlage Härtsfeldhof, Hohenberg 3, 73441 Bopfingen, DeutschlandTheorie und Praxis für Reitlehrer, der Weg zu feinen Hilfen, Gastreiter für die pädagogischen Einheiten und Zuschauer sind immer herzlich willkommen! Anmeldungen nimmt Lena Nuding gern entgegen: 0175-4472889
Mo., 26. JuniPegestorf, Reitanlage Hellwig & Matthes26. Juni 2023, 08:00 – 29. Juni 2023, 14:00Pegestorf, Reitanlage Hellwig & Matthes, 37619 Pegestorf, Deutschland
Do., 22. JuniReitanlage Hellwig & Matthes GbR - Reits22. Juni 2023, 08:00 – 25. Juni 2023, 14:00Reitanlage Hellwig & Matthes GbR - Reits, Zwischen Zäunen 4, 37619 Pegestorf, Deutschland22. Juni 2023, 08:00 – 25. Juni 2023, 14:00Reitanlage Hellwig & Matthes GbR - Reits, Zwischen Zäunen 4, 37619 Pegestorf, DeutschlandTheorie und Praxis für Reitlehrer, Zuschauer herzlich willkommen, wir suchen auch immer wieder Gatsreiter für die pädagogischen Einheiten, bitte anmelden b. S.Hellwig auf der Reitanlage
Fr., 02. JuniGestorf, Von Ilten02. Juni 2023, 08:30 – 04. Juni 2023, 17:00Gestorf, Von Ilten, Hannoversche Str. 32, 31832 Springe, Deutschland
Sa., 13. MaiBalance Stables, Franzis Vehrenberg13. Mai 2023, 08:30 – 14. Mai 2023, 16:00Balance Stables, Franzis Vehrenberg, Hörsteloe, 48683 Ahaus, Deutschland13. Mai 2023, 08:30 – 14. Mai 2023, 16:00Balance Stables, Franzis Vehrenberg, Hörsteloe, 48683 Ahaus, DeutschlandDer Weg zu feinen Hilfen nach der Ecole de Légèreté, Arbeit an der Hand, gymnastizierendes Longieren, Reiten, Jeder ist herzlich willkommen. Franzis Vehrenberg nimmt gern Anmeldungen entgegen: 0151-50668455
Fr., 05. MaiKöln05. Mai 2023, 08:00 – 07. Mai 2023, 17:00Köln, Hardthofstraße 80, 51069 Köln, Deutschland
Do., 20. Apr.Reitanlage Härtsfeldhof20. Apr. 2023, 08:00 – 23. Apr. 2023, 13:00Reitanlage Härtsfeldhof, Hohenberg 3, 73441 Bopfingen, Deutschland20. Apr. 2023, 08:00 – 23. Apr. 2023, 13:00Reitanlage Härtsfeldhof, Hohenberg 3, 73441 Bopfingen, DeutschlandTheorie und Praxis für Reitlehrer, Zuschauer sind sehr herzlich willkommen, auch Gastschüler für den Reitunterrichtd er angehenden Reitlehrer nehmen wir gern an. Bitte bei Lena Nuding: 0175-4472889 anmelden.
Ecole de Légèreté
Ecole de Légèreté is based on the absolute respect of the horse, on its trust and motivation. Because of that, many people interested in horsemanship find their way to us. Légèreté is based on ideas and philosophies of the classical masters of centuries gone. It is a system always searching for improvement, it is ready to re-analyze and improve itself with the current progress of knowledge in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, psychology, balance and ethology.
"Légèreté is not a declaration of intent of a poetic or esoteric nature but a philosophy bringing together clear, effective and measurable equestrian concepts. It excludes any force or coercive artificial aids, but includes all types of horses and takes an interest in all equestrian disciplines." - - Philippe Karl
For me Ecole de Légèreté is not just an excellent riding-philosophy. It is also animating to think about philosophy in general. "Riding is characterized by effortlessness and beauty of a completely relaxed horse, that gives the impression to move without any help of its rider. It should be our aim to keep that lightness and beauty during the work with our horses. Like that it is qualified to become an art.“
- Nuno Oliveira
You are welcome to join us!
Participation as a Spectator
You are always welcome to attend the courses.
Dates can be found HERE and on the homepage of Philippe Karl.
