Thursday, December 15, 2005

The 2005 USDF Dressage Symposium with Klaus Balkenhol and Gerd Heuschmann

“We Are the Servants to the Horse”
Text and Photos by Charlene Strickland

Again and again, Klaus Balkenhol emphasized the rider’s duty to the horse, at the 2005 USDF National Symposium in Burbank, California. “When we work with the horse, we must be subservient to the horse,” he said. “Training should be done without causing the horse any harm. The well-being of the horse must be paramount.”

Balkenhol titled the two days of his clinic, “The Rider Builds the Horse.” As he coached the 12 demonstration riders at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, he focused on pivotal concepts.

Preserve the horse’s beauty. “Maintain and preserve the horse’s natural brilliance, so he works with us in partnership.”

Ride the horse in self-carriage, so he is light. “The horse comes from himself, not from you giving the impulsion. “We like a horse that looks joyful forward. His ears play, and he is listening. “The goal is that the horse responds to very light aid-giving, so the horse does the exercises practically on his own.”

Balance the work and relaxation. “Take breaks in your work, and the horse says, ‘Thank you.’ You might work for one or two hours, with always breaks in between.” With some riders who encountered difficulties, Balkenhol called for a break, to let the horse unwind. “If you have a problem after 20 minutes work, then the horse needs a rest so the musculature can regenerate.

“Give the horse a rest, so the musculature can rest and regenerate, and be relieved when the horse is relaxed and loose. Supple and loose muscles are more voluminous and stronger.”

Take time to train the horse. “All horses need time. Time in the horse world is money.”

During the entire Symposium, trainer Volker Brommann translated for Balkenhol. “He is my angel, and my shadow,” said Balkenhol about Brommann.