About Philippe Karl and his School of Légèreté. Philippe Karl was an active member of the Cadre Noir de Saumur (French Riding School in Saumur) for thirteen years. Philippe Karl studied the philosophies of masters before him, François Robichon de la Guérinière, François Baucher and others and in his School of Légèreté makes the very strong point that first and foremost when training horses, it is all about respect for the horse. Those passionate about treating their loyal friends with honour will notice that Philippe Karl's nosebands are loose to allow the horse to swallow and chew gently with the bit and to stay light in the hand of the rider at all times.

Classically, Philippe Karl re-examines the "mother of all gaits, the walk"  (Baucher) and teaches all of the lateral movements from a very slow, deliberate walk to define understanding in a calm, relaxed manner with every horse. Step by step building blocks of clear repetition enable the movements to be gymnastically strengthened gradually from walk into trot and on into canter. Philippe Karl raises the neck so that the poll is the highest point to therefore confirm that the horse remains either on or in front of the vertical. Philippe Karl teaches neck and poll flexions to create ultimate suppleness and a crucial understanding for the horse to communicate with a light contact via the hand aids.

These are very exciting times ahead indeed for like minded riders who know that Dressage is about harmony, logic, common sense and compassion. To have a horse light in the hand and light to the leg gives the intended vision of elegance and grace. Ultimate collection is achieved when the horse remains calm, carrying the rider with ease and doing all of the movements seemingly effortlessly. When one has ridden a horse in ultimate lightness, riding becomes an absolute pleasure and a joy for all to see.

Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage: A Search for a Classical Alternative. In his latest book, Philippe Karl, one of the most outspoken critics of the modern dressage world, reveals some disturbing facts about the physical, anatomical and mental effects on the horse resulting from the official dressage guidelines as issued by the German Equestrian Federation (FN).

By comparing these with philosophies of masters of classical riding such as François Robichon de la Guérinière and François Baucher, Philippe Karl shows possible solutions to the challenging situation of modern competitive Dressage. The Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage explores key problems of modern Dressage: physical aspects, straightness, balance, exercises. This book describes the effects of modern Dressage, breeding and business, and suggests a classical alternative: the philosophy of Légèreté (Lightness).

Long Reining: The Saumur Method by Philippe Karl. In this book, Philippe Karl demonstrates how to train a horse on long reins and how it is possible to attain as high a standard of schooling from the ground as that reached under saddle. Philippe Karl was an écuyer at Cadre Noir de Saumur (French Riding School in Saumur) for thirteen years. The picture series for this book were taken at this French elite riding institution. They document the progressive training of the horse on long reins in dressage and jumping. Published by Trafalgar Square Publishing.

Philippe Karl Classical Dressage DVD Series. A schooling series of four DVDs produced by Thomas Vogel of Pferdia TV.

Philippe Karl's philosophy of Légèreté (Lightness) was inspired by riding masters such as François Robichon de la Guérinière, François Baucher, Captain Etienne Beudant and General Alexis François L'Hotte. It is founded on the absolute respect of the horse. Philippe Karl's personal "training scale of Légèreté" shows a logical and practical way of schooling horses systematically and without force or constraining instruments such as side reins and running reins. In combination with a thorough knowledge of anatomy, motion, balance and psychology, the training scale of Légèreté enables riders to get the best from any horse.

The video series "Classical Dressage" opens new horizons within the actual dressage world and demonstrates how misjudged and misunderstood the most brilliant ancient masters are today.

Part 1 ~ The School of Aids. It is fundamental that the aids are taught clearly before the horse begins to do any gymnastic work. Complete flexibility of the neck is essential for the neck extension and flexion of the poll. An introduction to training on two tracks completes the first part of this schooling series.

1. Lunging;
2. Basics;
3. Light in Hand;
4. Aids;
5. Under the Rider; and
6. Lateral Work.

Part 2 ~ The School of Gymnastics. In the second part of this schooling series, Philippe Karl presents additional gymnastic exercises, which continue to further the horse's training. Philippe Karl introduces the double bridle as an important aid for advanced exercises. Through combined lateral work, shoulder-in, counter shoulder-in, travers and renvers, the balance, suppleness and mobility of the horses are trained and established, resulting in a straight horse. Jumping at the lunge and under the rider is part of the basic training of a horse, as well as flying changes in the canter, which every horse can learn if prepared and trained correctly.

1. Canter;
2. Riding with a Double Bridle;
3. Combined Lateral Work;
4. Show Jumping; and
5. Flying Canter Changes.

Part 3 ~ The School of Dance. "Collection makes the horse look like a classical dancer."  Philippe Karl's aim. In this third step of the training, Philippe Karl uses the gymnastic exercises shown on the previous DVDs to improve collection. Only a supple and collected horse can manage a pirouette in walk or canter. Passage, pirouette and Piaffe are the crowning exercises of collection. The Spanish Walk is not only an exercise to prepare the passage, but also a useful movement to improve the mobility of the shoulders and help further the complicity of horse and rider.

1. Pirouettes;
2. Piaffe;
3. Spanish Walk; and
4. Passage.

Part 4 ~ Training Progress, One Year Later. Sampaio, a six year old Oldenburger stallion ridden for two years and Quiela, a seven year old Lusitano stallion ridden for three years, already participated in the first three parts of Philippe Karl's "Classical Dressage" DVD series. One year later, Sampaio and Quiela both show the progress they have made.

Classical vs Classique with Christoph Hess and Philippe Karl. Philippe Karl also contributed to the DVD, Classical vs Classique, a DVD produced by Thomas Vogel of Pferdia TV and Dressur-Studien.

Classical vs Classique highlights the differences in German Riding Principles and the School of Légèreté. In June 2007, the French riding master Philippe Karl (School of Légèreté) met Christoph Hess (head of the instruction department of the German Equestrian Federation). Philippe Karl and Christoph Hess discussed their respective view points openly in an animated debate followed by practical demonstrations on different horses and riders in the arena. Classical vs Classique provides an impartial account of this meeting, which was initiated by Claudia Sanders (editor of the magazine Dressur-Studien).

On the 27^th of March, 2009, Philippe Karl wrote a letter to the German Equestrian Federation (FN) in which Philippe Karl proposed a number of changes of the FN rules. To date, Philippe Karl has not received any response. Due to the lack of response by the German FN, Philippe Karl has made his letter and the propositions it contains accessible to the public by way of the magazine Dressur-Studien and the internet. Philippe Karl proposed that the German FN incorporate the following concrete points into their rules:

1. Auxiliary reins connected to the bit are forbidden, whether on the lunge or under saddle. The lunge should always be attached to a cavesson;
2. Tight nosebands are forbidden, both in daily training and competition. In addition, it is permissible to present a horse without a noseband;
3. The horse's mouth must be checked immediately prior to every test or performance. Any injury leads to disqualification;
4. Any horse showing injury from spurs to be disqualified;
5. Overflexion (nose behind the vertical) in any movement to be punished with a mark of at most 3;
6. Blocked jaws, tongues pulled up or hanging out and grinding of teeth in any exercise to be punished with a mark of at most 4;
7. Neck extension (long position in which the mane is nearly horizontal, the nose keeping in front of the vertical) becomes a part of every Dressage test, in all three gaits and on both reins;
8. The walk is reinstated as a fully-fledged part of each Dressage test, representing up to 30% of total marks possible, at least in tests on E, A, L and M level;
9. The lateralisation of the walk (horse comes close to ambling) leads to disqualification;
10. In tests for young horses as well as auctions, young horses must be presented in neck extension in all three gaits, with the rider rising to the trot.

All people involved with horses who are willing to endorse such reforms are invited to express their support by adding their name to Philippe Karl's petition. To support such reforms, please register at Philippe Karl's website.

On the 15^th of June, 2009, the German FN replied to Philippe Karl's letter and commented on his propositions.

On the 29^th of July, 2009, Philippe Karl responded to Christoph Hess and Thies Kaspareit from the German FN.

Philippe Karl Open Forum and Introductory Evening
State Equestrian Centre, Brigadoon, Western Australia, 6069.
Date: 14 September, 2009.

Philippe Karl Teachers Clinic
Brookleigh Equestrian Estate, Upper Swan, Western Australia, 6069.
Group 1: 15 ~ 18 September, 2009.

Philippe Karl Teachers Clinic
Kellosheil Park ~ Eco Equestrian Centre, Mt Rankin, New South Wales, 2795.
Group 2: 22 ~ 25 September, 2009.

Website of Philippe Karl: www.philippe-karl.com

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