PIAFFE in ENGLISH About Horsemanship & the Revival Of
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PIAFFE IN ENGLISH magazine translation for the international reader 2007/1 magazine page 2 About Horsemanship & the Revival of Equestrianism Dear Piaffe readers, The evolutionary history of horses began by the need for more responsibility towards about 60 million years ago. The first encounter our partner the horse, but also practical know- between horse and man, documented in cave ledge about buying a horse, keeping a horse paintings, goes back to the Ice Age. It was not (with guidelines for the groom), riding in the until much later, about 6000 years ago, that arena and in the open country, correcting horses and men began a cooperation that horses with bad dispositions, and the high exists to this day. Not that long ago, it seemed school of training. Xenophon places special horses would soon become extinct after a importance on horses’ mental attitudes and century-long alliance with humans as riding feelings, and the emotional unity between and draft horses. No other living beings have rider and horse. The release of this work influenced the history of mankind as enorm- marked the founding of the “classical teaching ously as horses. Our “fascination with horses” method.” By the way - Xenophon loved his has been exalted in countless books and pic- horses and devoted himself to them for his tures, and with lofty words. We are fascinated entire life. His timeless, basic guidelines for by the way horses move, regardless of wheth- training (see also the cover flap) are therefore er they are moving freely in a large pasture, or also a focal point in this first issue of Piaffe. under the saddle of a rider so that the expert The historical development of horse and rider viewer can also observe and assess the har- training defined as “classical”, time and again monious interaction between the two part- challenged over the centuries, has often led in ners. Everything we take to mean horseman- theory and practice to quite varied teaching ship in this day and age has developed over approaches. It seems that “classical horse- centuries, unfortunately not always for the manship” in modern dressage, provided it is good of the horses. The first classical hippo- meant to mean an eternally valid and matured logical work that raised riding to an art was training of horses, does not fulfill the ideal of written by the Greek cavalry officer Xenophon harmony between man and horse aspired for. (4 centuries BCE) and called “On Horseman- ship“. This two thousand year-old work, which No other living beings have influenced the is still valid today, was completely revised by history of mankind as enormously as horses. Dr. Klaus Widdra and released a few weeks ago. It contains not only Xenophon’s basic Equitation in the year 2007, or more specifi- training instructions, which are characterized cally modern-day dressage, and classical Piaffe in English - magazine translation for the international reader - © by WuWei Verlag, Germany. - www.Wu-Wei-Verlag.com Page 1 horsemanship must by no means be contra- principles. We are on the lookout for role dictory to each other. A horse and rider in models we can recommend with a clear con- perfect harmony is a sight every true horse- science. Last but not least, in the ‘sERVICE“ lover delights to see. Disharmony can very section we have a list of important dates you obviously not really be our objective. But ra- might want to make note of and news from ther the aspiration to ride lightly, meaning the horse scene, as well as reviews of books respectfully communicating with the horse and new DVDs that might interest devotees of that has been trusted to our care. “Light rid- classical horsemanship. ing” is irrespective of breed and is based on physical and mental balance in a perfect part- Classical is Always In This idea, dear readers, nership between horse and rider. Riding ac- has been, for decades, a kind of creed about cording to the basic principles of classical my occupation with the theme horsemanship. horsemanship is a central theme of this new trade journal. To make it perfectly clear: Piaffe Suppleness is and remains the central criteria is not an “old-timer rally“. Rather, recognized in riding paragons from around the world and well- known riding masters will have their say in (You can read about what this means to me in Piaffe, and will coherently convey their exper- Peter Breitner’s article on page 16.) We don’t tise in the “TRAINING / PRACTICE have to reinvent the “wheel” of / KNOWLEDGE“ section. In addi- horsemanship. It’s actually tion, articles by competent pro- IMPRINT nothing new – but we should fessional experts covering the be reminded of it again and entire spectrum of horsemanship Piaffe in English is published by again: the present can be best Wu Wei Verlag e.K. understood by dealing with the can be found in the section Isabella Sonntag “HORSEMANSHIP AND THE OLD Seestr. 54 past. One example: modern MASTERS“. In the section D-86938 Schondorf am Ammersee dressage balances precariously GERMANY between classical and circus- “EQUESTRIAN CULTURE“ we will introduce “Outstanding Riding Telefon +49/8192/934192 like. Spectacular movements Telefax +49/8192/934257 are ever more frequently given Schools Worldwide”, and we will [email protected] portray teams that have made higher ratings by judges than equestrian history in a special ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No reprint or suppleness in the exercises. distribution without prior permission. series about “Legendary Horses Suppleness, however, is and remains the central criteria in and Riders“. In the section Chief Editor “HORSEMANSHIP LIVE“ we will Jürgen Kemmler riding! There’s no question jkemmler @ web.de about it: if modern horseman- visit training centers for classical Tel. +49/8807/206839 dressage and report about rid- ship continues to move to- ers, trainers and dressage ex- Advertisement Manager wards ‘show riding”, the horses Karin Wiesner will be the ones to suffer. perts who have dedicated them- Karin.Wiesner @ wu-wei-verlag.com selves to the principles of clas- Tel. +49/8192/934192 Achievement-orientated train- sical horsemanship. Any trainer, ing should in no way be sacri- Subscriptions Manager ficed to the spirit of the times instructor or assistant instructor Christina Wunderlich who follows these principles can info @ wu-wei-verlag.com or personal ambition, and must apply to be introduced in an Tel. +49/8192/934192 always be carried out with the article in Piaffe. Our goal is to nature of the horse in mind. develop a worldwide “classical“ network. Which means: the trend is not my friend! The Those who fulfill the criteria will be publicly term “classical” does not need to be rede- honored by our trade journal. If you, dear fined. There is no such thing as classically reader, should be shortlisted, we will visit you modern. on a prearranged day and film and interview The first issue of Piaffe celebrates the culture you, but above all thoroughly put you through of horsemanship. My personal notion of a the paces. It doesn’t matter where you are well-ridden horse corresponds entirely to the located; the crucial factor is your understand- general view that Hans von Heydebreck, one ing of humane training according to classical Piaffe in English - magazine translation for the international reader - © by WuWei Verlag, Germany. - www.Wu-Wei-Verlag.com Page 2 of the trailblazers of classical horsemanship your power to help revive classical horseman- and a master of harmony, so accurately de- ship. But now, have fun reading the first issue scribed 80 years ago. That is the concept we of Piaffe should all orient ourselves to, and against which we, you and I both, should measure Yours, ourselves. In closing I would like to say: toler- JÜRGEN KEMMLER ance for those who think differently is one thing, protecting cultural assets is another A rider’s training is never done: dressage at its thing altogether – and when it comes to pro- highest level distinguishes itself by its appar- tecting classical horsemanship I am not to be ent lightness. The perception of a well-ridden trifled with. Just to indulge the ‘spirit of the horse, as it is described on the following pag- times“ – that’s not my cup of tea. So let us es, is a picture that should be imbedded into together give horses a chance – they have every rider’s mind. more than earned it. And do everything in magazine page 3 Editorial A year has passed since the magazine called “Aus my THANK YOU to them for committing them- Respekt“ (Out of Respect) was released as a test selves to this endless, intellectual task, and placing version of Piaffe. I have used the time to intensive- their lives in the service of horses and not the oth- ly search for people and places where classical er way around! horsemanship is still studied, taught and safe- guarded. In “Aus Respekt“ we included a very de- Thank you to those few trainers who make the tailed definition to clarify the question: “what do horses, and not themselves, shine; who place less classical horsemanship, the Iberian riding style, importance on titles, medals and ‘show effects” as circus riding and baroque riding style actually on happy horses. Thank you to them for being able mean?” The readers’ reactions make it evident that deal with repeatedly being misunderstood, and yet it is by no means clear where classical starts and still go on, sure in their conviction that it is the where it ends. For the typical, Germanic, FN- delightful harmony between horse and rider that orientated reader it usually starts with the cavalry makes it all worthwhile.