NHT Magazine Summer 2019

FEATURE
Riding For Everyone!
The term ‘classical’ riding is often much
misunderstood. Firstly, many people think of it as
elitist or consisting of advanced or difficult
dressage. The word classical actually means that
it has its origins in past centuries and has passed
the test of time. Although there are slight
differences of opinion in the classical world, its
principles have, and always will, remain the same
to any true classicist. This is because it is based
on the laws of nature, such as gravity, and the
natural biomechanics of the horse. Although
horses are bred differently for different purposes,
their basic make-up and way of movement has
remained the same for thousands of years.
The word dressage means to ‘dress’ or prepare
the horse for whatever work it is intended, and
all dressage has its origins in classical
horsemanship. Therefore, all horses, from big
Warmbloods down to Shetland ponies should be
prepared for their work by basic dressage.
Whatever you intend to do with your horse he will
benefit from basic classical dressage, and
classical merely means ‘correct’ in this sense.
FEI Rules Are Based On Classical
Principles
Also, those who have been brought
on too quickly, at an early age, or
pulled in from the front end into
rollkur or hyperflexion very often
suffer physical break down at an
early age.
For All Disciplines
Whatever your chosen discipline, a
basic grounding in classical
dressage will greatly benefit your
horse. Added to this he will be a
much more pleasant ride, being
lighter in the forehand, easier to
turn, more agile and a safer ride.
Riding with an independent classical
seat is very much safer and better
balanced than using say a ‘chair’
seat, as frequently seen.
A chair seat is when the rider’s seat is at the back
of the saddle, putting too much weight on the
weakest part of the horse’s back and
making the rider most unstable
and likely to go ‘out the side
door’ at the slightest
spook.
A Chair Seat
Courtesy of Black Tent Photograph
The FEI Rule Book is based firmly upon the
principles set down by Francois Robichon de la
Gueriniere, one of the most revered Classical
Masters. If all these rules were adhered to, then
all competitive dressage would be classical.
Unfortunately, many judges have deviated from
their own rule book and reward some bad
practices, but thankfully not all; there are still
some good judges who stick to classical
principles.
The Purpose Of Dressage
Dressage is designed to physically and mentally
prepare the horse to carry the rider with the
optimum amount of ease, in the best-balanced
way. All the exercises are designed to build up
strength and flexibility in the back, joints and
tendons; especially strengthening the hind legs,
so that the horse can take more weight on the
hindquarters, relieving the front legs of the extra
pressure which they necessarily are burdened
with, once a rider is aboard. All these exercises
need to be done carefully, and strength built up
slowly, so that the horse comes to a naturally
more ‘round’ frame, which emanates from
strength in the hindquarters. Hence the phrase
‘the horse should be ridden from back to front’ –
never pulled into an outline from the front.
Horses naturally carry more weight on the
forehand, but when the weight of the rider is
added this causes undue strain on the forelegs
and is one of the main causes of arthritic, tendon,
etc. breakdown as the horse ages. A horse
carefully prepared in the classical way has a
much healthier and longer life expectancy than
his counterparts who have been allowed to slop
along on the forehand for most of their lives.
The classical seat
is not just for
dressage. It can
easily be
adapted for
jumping and
cross country
by shortening
the stirrups a
little, making it
easier for the
rider to follow
the centre of
gravity forward
by folding from the
hips, and lifting the
seat slightly off the
saddle. All the other
laws of gravity remain the
same. The weight aids for
turning and re-aligning the horse
before a jump render the horse much
better balanced and more manoeuvrable,
rather than relying on hauling on the reins as is
so often seen.
If you are a happy hacker, you will find classical
training a real boon to your enjoyment. Your
horse will be lighter, easier to turn, you will feel
much more in control without any harsh aids.
Your horse will be better at negotiating turns and
uneven ground, and is likely to stay sound and
live much longer if he is capable of taking some
of the weight onto the haunches. Your seat will
be much deeper and both you and your horse
will be safer.
The Classical Seat
Weight Aids From The Beginning
It is a source of sadness to me that the simple
weight aids are not very often taught to new riders
at riding schools these days. They are not difficult
for the rider and are a natural thing for the horse
to respond to, and very much more comfortable.
For instance, to turn left the rider should put a
little weight on the left stirrup, turn the head and
shoulders to the left, giving just a gentle feel on
the left rein, supported by the outside (right) leg
taken very slightly back and the right rein being
held in position to support the horse’s right
shoulder. In this way the horse can make a very
Photo Credit: by Black Tent Photography'
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