Klaus Balkenhol Seminar - page 4 of 4

"A horse must always be a horse...."

George Williams and his mare Rocher were the final demo riders. They were showing an unusual bit, which was designed by Sprenger to fine-tune and make the horse sensitive in the mouth. The bit is not FEI legal. "This is not to be used all the time," said Balkenhol. "Just for a week to create sensitivity." Balkenhol designed the spurs Williams was wearing. He emphasized that in gymnasticizing the horse, the rider must never pull the horse into a frame from these instruments.

"A horse must always be a horse, a human must always be a human, and a rider must always be a rider," concluded Balkenhol.

Williams exited with a passage down centerline, stopping at Balkenhol to piaffe, and exiting in a passage.

Ms. Schulte and Mr. Baumann concluded the seminar with information about Sprenger's research on the horse's mouth, bit metals, and new bit designs based on the company's research findings.

Mary Hilton for DressageDaily.com