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The a.i.s. study-horsemanship current research and future school horses Pinochio and Fabian as seen by our five-year-old granddaughter.
We see a girl floating along. Her little pegasus is in perfect balance. It relies on the rider's hand. The bit acts on the corner of the lips. At last she waves good-bye. Style child-like, purpose fun.
We see a master train his horse in Beudant's crowd. This man more than any other twentieth century master was aware of the history of equitation. He is the icon of riding in lightness. He left a bequest to all who care about the future. Horses in the streets, easy, pleasant and fully under control. Horses on the land. Style light, purpose truth.
See the author on a youthful Fabian. Age fourteen he and his rider (me) after years of study-horsemanship research in preparation for a school of modern equitation shortly thereafter begin their classical training. Style home-made, purpose school.
See the fearful Number One. Other riders stand in line for better manipulator, but no one reaches her level when performing to music before judges. Style olympic, purpose win. And look at this. Here the need for safety has become the essence. Style so called Western, purpose no risks and still win. Or look into another world. See a rider enjoy himself and one doing an almost unreal feat.
A look at the screen. The rider does not recognized the person. Yes, these are my clothes and this horse I know. But this person is not me: shoulders and neck speak of fear, the chest is collapsed. No ease. No implicit pleasure. Hands, jaw and ankles display signs of rigidity. Horse and rider do nor flow. So much for perception. And proprioception.
A group of kids plays horse ball. Children of all ages. Boys and girls. And see the championships in St.Lo, adding to equitation a whole new world of body command and vitality.
