Schools of Dressage

PasoBaby_CarolU · Schools of Dressage

I would appreciate the Cliff Notes version of different schools of dressage, who started/taught what, what are the differences in training and performance of them, Classic, French, German, Dutch, compared to the Spanish Schools of Vienna and Jarez. What is at each Level, since that has been brought up, where does Grand Prix fit in.

I mentioned starting Gaited Dressage with Larry Whitesell a few years ago and studying Mark Russell, based on his recommendation. FOSH has written rules and tests now, but they are all at a very beginning Level and don't compare directly to regular competition levels.

cheerios

yes! great thread.

I am not very educated about the different schools of dressage, but wish I knew more. I am starting to recognize some of the names that get bounced around here frequently.

thelmanelle

Same with me Mary. Names get bounced around.

Some of the people like Cynthia could define them better. So could mistux, I believe. From reading her posts, I think she'd be a good q & a person. Also, Niek seems to be experienced with some of the definitions.

We can always look up some YouTube videos of traditional, classical, freestyle, natural dressage. That might help us, too.

Plus, the reading...which I am not the best student of....

Then, look at Jane Savoie, Phillipe Karl, etc. and compare. That's the best way to go about this? So many to compare to...like many people just despise Anky...but, look at the video with open eyes before you despise.

Then, make a choice is that for you or not. It is for her. But, this is a topic to discuss about the different types of approaches to dressage.

Can it be done with educational point of view on each style with out necessarily attacking.

I may not like so and so, but...

Niek

hmm hard... Because terms generally get used to define a certain outline in a horse or training method. The terms arent used correctly all the time if we go look for the specifics..

Classic is generally used to define anything other than competition focussed dressage..

French : Usually used for Baucherists, like JCR. Or even PK who doesnt consider himself to be anything really.. But just because the outline of his horses and training programn (not to mention him riding for the Cadre Noir).

German : What people think of dressage. Known for the training scale and is what is seen in the competition ring.

Dutch : Rollkur

Rest to come..

*not specifically 100% correct but based on how its most commonly used online..

AlythLong

I'm going to quote from a book by Lockie Richards. This man was New Zealands first "professional" dressage rider/trainer and this book was published in 1975.

"The methods of training have remained basically the same since the first book on riding was written by Xenophon in about 400BC. this is logical when you consider that by and large the physical form of both man and horse has not changed much since then. The first important school on record was founded at Naples, with the nobleman Federigo Grisone as riding master. Grisone's best pupil was Pignatelli, who in turn trained the Frenchman Pluvinel who was employed by Louis XIII as his court riding master.

Pluvinel's methods were less forceful than those of his teacher and it took some time for them to be generally accepted. In this same period, in the middle of the seventeenth century, the Duke of Newcastle was very much interested in the art of 'high school'. His methods were widespread in England but were later rejected, as were those of Pignatelli.

In 1733 the most famous riding master of France, F.R. de la Gueriniere, wrote a book. This was based on simple facts and details, which influenced the art for a long time. In fact, to this day they are the doctrine followed at the Spanish Riding School of Vienna. As far back as 1572 the name of Spanish Riding Stable was known and in 1735 the school opened at its present site. The cavalry schools from all over Europe sent their officers to train there, and since then their methods have been accepted in most countries.

Every race has certain characteristics that influence, intentionally or not, their interpretation and execution of dressage. The national breed of horse which is used also varies in temperament. The conformation of certain breeds makes it possible for them to perform some movements more graciously than others. The West Germans perform very accurate, active, precise and sometimes stilted tests. The Russians are more artistic with flowing, supple and expressive performances. Generally the Swiss and riders from the Scandinavian countries give the impression of casualness with very willing and happy horses. The French are inclined to brilliance and a flamboyant expression. The English are very correct with strong ideals on classical form. The East Germans produce classical and quietly serene horses and riders."

Sorry for the long quote but it shows that all dressage actually trace back to the same source, it varies according to the different interpretations. And again some of the master have 2 distinct types of teaching. Is it Baucher that "invented" rollkur in his early days and then completely changed direction and his later ideas were far more sympathetic to the horse?

Alyth

Julie

Had a fab thread on BD forum last week - will go and try and find it for you!

PasoBaby_CarolU

Keep looking Julie. I won't be here to read it until Sunday night...well, Monday morning with coffee is more likely. LOL

Julie

I am still looking - can take days to find a post on that site!

PasoBaby_CarolU

Is it safe to say that the Rolkur and German schools direct and cue each step, are very precises and exact, and that is different then French or Classical...how? I think the horse's look more natural and less like robots, so are the cues softer or not as demanding? Do you HAVE TO direct each step, or do you ask, say for a half-pass, and then let the horse take the steps necessary to make it happen?