I went to the Phillipe Karl clinic held outside Toronto last year. It was a real eye opener and he is an amazing rider/trainer/instructor. The horses there were from training level to GP and he got on an rode every one after their riders got off. These were all horses with problems, some of the problems were the riders. He would ride the horses for a short time and all the horses improved dramatically, even the bad ones became"normal". He commented and explained as he rode so everyone would understand. There were BNTs in the audience, some from the US. One of his comments mentioned that most of the horses lacked the very basics including acceptance of the bit. He is an advocate of the Fulmer snaffle for all horses.
I had been having problems with my 3 year old that I had just broken. I went home and tried his methods and my horse responded and things started clicking!
He was very gentle with all the horses he rode. No yelling, no whip, no spurs.
I have his books and his video and I continue to use his methods with my now 4 year old. His training continues and he continues to improve.
I would highly recomend him.

A fulmer is a snaffle where the rings and cheekpieces are separate. This allows a clear signal to be given to the horse's mouth. An example is below:


http://www.littletreesaddles.com/FulmerSnaffle2.jpg

These bits are generally hard to find and are legal for showing in dressage. They have become "unfashionable" of late.

Well, I have some exciting news :)

I have been accepted as the trainee for 3 years for an instructor who is training directly under Philippe and Sylvia in his 5 year School of Legerete course. She needs to demonstrate that she can train a rider with the ideals behind classical dressage.

At the end of the 3 year traineeship, I will qualify to apply to train directly under Philippe when he next comes to Australia :D I get to attend his clinics for free as a spectator when he is here once a year, plus i will attend Sylvia's clinics through the year as well. I watched his last clinic in November and it was amazing :)

Plus, I will have the skills to train a horse from green-broken to Grand Prix dressage level, just need the officially piece of paper from PK in order to train professionally.

New career path on the way? I hope so!

-- Edited by sedonasilver on Wednesday 16th of February 2011 09:54:20 PM

Two of my students are in his North America Program.  And I have watched him (in Toronto and other places).  His equitation is methodical and well done.  I do hope I am not disappointed in his NA program.  That said, I have taught what he does for years, it does work IF the person's tact and timing is correct and they have a clear idea of the methodology.

I think PK will only do 2 of the 3 yearly clinics anywhere and the cert instructors will do the third (this will likely not 'float' here in NA....and some are definitely NOT of his talent...some are)....too old, no, he is my age.