My Soapbox for Equestrian Writings
Although I have nothing against bitless riding (I rode my last horse bitless), I rarely see good examples of it on YouTube. Here’s a video of Uta Gräf riding the Holsteiner stallion Le Noir bitless schooling some Grand Prix movements. Very nice riding, indeed! Of course it could be argued that she is an exceptional […]
Read MoreHere’s some lovely old footage of the Spanish Riding School in an outdoor venue. It’s followed by some interesting trick riding and even some footage of what looks to be a child learning how to do circus tricks. Kudos to that last horse for putting up with some of those antics!
Read MoreDuring hunting season it’s tempting focus only on conditioning and jumping. It’s all too easy to forget about dressage. Not the dressage as in riding the movements for perfection, but rather the dressage that helps your horse stay supple, strong and stretched — able to dodge that tree with a quick leg yield or to […]
Read MoreAllison Sprenger and Arthur have started Rolex well and can only hope their winning streak continues. On Wednesday night Sprenger received the Dubarry Style Award for the best-dressed female at the first horse inspection (a new pair of boots) AND she won a drawing for a Rolex watch. This morning she continued that winning streak, […]
Read MoreDrill team performances are always impressive — add to it the challenge of driving and his one is amazing!
Read MoreHere’s Edward Gal riding to a live violin solo!
Read MoreWhat a treat! Here is an Austrian documentary film done in the 1950s to promote the Spanish Riding School. This footage was only recently rediscovered. While the movements here are not always technically perfect, the formations are masterfully ridden, the horses look relaxed, and the stillness of the riders is Zenlike. View Video
Read MoreIt’s hard to imagine how much pressure Matthias Alexander Rath felt when he rode the great Totilas for the first time in public (keep in mind this is a stallion show, not a competition). He’s only that the ride since WEG and the “newness” of the partnership shows. Obviously Rath is a talented and sensitive […]
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