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.
I also attended that clinic. I found the same thing--he was very quiet and respectful with the horses. He considered where they were and what they needed to succeed rather than push them to achieve anyone else's goals. For anyone willing to listen and try his teaching methods are fantastic! I highly recommend attending a clinic or purchasing his material as well!
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.
Yes, it definately all about timing and instantaneous reaction.
I know his wife is Bea, barnfrog - Sylvia Stossel is a certified instructer from Switzerland who has been training in Philippe Karl's classical methods for over 10 years now. She trains the instructors in the Teachers Course twice a year, and Philippe attends once.
I will be attending her clinic early April - cant wait!
I guess PK is just a bit to old to travel to Australia 3 times a year now days :)
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.