It wasn’t that long ago that I introduced ourselves to the world of LUSA, explaining the how and why of our discovering the Ecole de Légèreté, and ultimately gaining the opportunity to host an open clinic at our facility with Master Instructor, Mr. Bertrand Ravoux. Fast forward to today where I now get to share how the first Ecole de Légèreté clinic in the Midwest turned out ! Before I begin, I have to say an enormous THANK YOU to our outstanding clients ! Without hesitation, they all offered any assistance they could to help make this first clinic worthy of the Ecole de Légèreté name and as successful as it could be. It really does take a village, and I am so grateful and blessed to belong to such a supportive one !
Months ago when I announced that we were hosting this clinic, I was extremely happy to see that the rider spots filled immediately. Everyone obviously recognized the great chance brought before them ! As word spread, our auditor list grew to 11, with the participants traveling from a variety of states, including Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and Kansas. I can say we were lucky to have had such a genuine, supportive and entertaining group so eager to learn ; but I have found that the Ecole de Légèreté seems to bring such amazing individuals together and creates a wonderful atmosphere in which to absorb the immense information provided. Auditor, Dee Hopkins, observed, …I know everyone had a wonderful learning time judging by the enthusiasm displayed.’’
Comments I had received from everyone in attendance were all very positive. As so eloquently stated by auditor, Jennifer Klitzke, ‘’For me, many dots were connected from studying Phillipe Karl’s DVDs and books that only witnessing this form of riding in person can do. The only thing that could top auditing the clinic would be riding in it.’’
She continues, ‘’This Ecole de Légèreté was composed of a diverse mix of horses such as an Icelandic, off-the-track Thoroughbred, Norwegian Fjord, Arabian/Holsteiner, Zweibrücken, Holsteiner, Dutch Warmblood and Arabian/Saddlebred. Equally diverse was the mix of riders ranging from Intro Level to Intermediare.’’
After watching Mr. Ravoux instruct at the clinic in CA back in April, we knew we would be in good hands. As Jennifer said, ‘’Bertand’s kind and encouraging teaching style met each student and horse exactly where they were in their training. Each rider was instructed how to help their horse become light to the hand and light to the leg and how to work their horse in relaxation, balance, straightness and forwardness through its full range of motion (laterally and longitudinally) to improve its quality of gaits. Watching the riders lead their horses through exercises in hand and from the saddle better helped my understanding of this kind and humane dressage method. ‘’ Janet Sullivan, rider of the beautiful Thoroughbred in the clinic, told me, ‘’This was the best clinic I have ever ridden in.’’
While of course there is so much to gain from actually riding in the clinic with your horse and going through the school as a teacher-in-training, there is an enormous benefit to auditing, as well, and I can definitely see why the ‘’full-course auditor’’ part of the school was developed. Although she has attended these clinics in the past, Dee found that for her, ‘’It was really great that this clinic was a beginning clinic ; a great deal of information had been clarified as I had jumped into the on-going (Teacher’s) PA clinic and there were gaps in my knowledge. ‘’ Jennifer also added, ‘’…auditing the Ecole de Légèreté clinic with Bertrand, a certified Master Instructor, was humbling, awe-inspiring and educational.’’
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