Modern equitation is characterized by diversity. It is organized in sports categories such as jumping, dressage, three-day-eventing; endurance and racing. Relatively new but no less popular are the team sports polo, horse-ball and voltege. Horse lovers, for their private pleasure, ride on trails and on the flat. Riding herdsmen have developed their own sets of competitions; and there still exists the working cowboy. Last but not least, future car-free inner cities may provide equitation with new options.
In light of this diversity of styles, purposes and ways to go about equitation, the School of Modern Equitation, building on classical German and French traditions, modern natural horsemanship and 2001-8 study-horsemanship results offers a new coherent, safe and fun way to learn and teach riding in a modern world. It achieves these goals by allowing for a broad and complete experience of major sports categories, in combination with self-management techniques and classical approaches to the language of the aides.
Goals are the horse's consent, suppleness and mobilization, which, for all practical purposes, are one and the same thing. Horses thus prepared are calm, trustworthy and pleasant to ride. Preliminary preparations on the ground draw on study-horsemanship insights in how to initiate the rider. Natural horsemanship techniques assure respect, leadership and flexibility. Classical seat lessons introduce the rider to his body's language. Twelve steps establish quality communication in the saddle. SomE progressions compliment jumping and provide the basis for the horse's elevation.
