Annual Report for 2019

Légèreté USA has a lot to do to fulfill its mission as a non-profit organization supporting Philippe Karl’s Ecole de Légèreté here in the States! An annual report is a requirement for a non-profit but it is also a way for everyone to check the pulse and the progress of this organization! Learn about the locations, the Teachers in Training, the Licensed Instructors, promotion and the use of finances in our mission to spread the word and work of the school! (There are pictures too so it’s not too boring!)

Click here to read the PDF of the 2019 Annual Report

GIEL and Philippe Karl present at Fieracavalli

GIEL, The Italian "Ecole de Légèreté" Group, is a cultural association founded with the aim of spreading, promoting and maximizing in Italy the philosophy of Philippe Karl, a great master who helped the concept of "Légèreté" regain its former splendour, turning it into an end and means for training horses as well as a lifestyle. The School's fundamental principle is absolute respect of all horses in physical and mental terms and the work proposed is largely based on the individual horse's understanding of the input by the rider, that becomes a language through which they can communicate.”

GIEL (Gruppo Italiano Ecole de Légèreté) represented the Ecole de Légèreté and its methods at the Fieracavalli, a four day international horse exhibition. The 121st Edition of this landmark event was held in Verona, Italy from November 7-10, 2019.

Fieracavalli combines competitions (including FEI show jumping), breed shows and exhibitions, as well as demonstrations of various experts within the international horse community. With more than 750 exhibitors from 24 countries, Fieracavalli is one of the largest and most important events dedicated to the equestrian world welcoming 160,000 visitors from 64 countries annually. GIEL presented demonstrations throughout the days of the fair highlighted by a presentation of Monsieur Philippe Karl and High Noon. M Karl was then presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Fieracavalli for his tremendous contribution to the international equine community.

The presentations of Monsieur Karl and the GIEL were well received and M Karl spent great amounts of time signing books and meeting admirers. Congratulations to the members of GIEL and their successful presentation of the Ecole de Légèreté at this legendary event!

*click on image to see more photographs of Monsieur Karl and High Noon at Fieracavalli.

Ecole de Légèreté Opens in the Midwest

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.’’

Stay abreast of all the clinic locations including Wisconsin by checking the clinics page!

New Teachers' Course/Open clinic to begin in October 2019

Hello Everyone!  We are Rick and Kari Schmitt, owners and trainers of Schmitt Training Center in Somerset, WI. Back in 2003, I was experiencing some behavioral issues with one of my horses.  This led a friend of mine to refer me to Rick because of his success with natural horsemanship and his ability to teach horse and rider.  I was immediately hooked and immersed myself in studying and learning his program of blending natural horsemanship with dressage.  We have been together ever since and have built up our program to focus on helping owners and their horses to better understand one another and achieve rewarding relationships.

As lifelong owners and riders of horses, and especially as professionals in the horse industry, we believe it is important to always seek to continue our own education and evolve in our skills and understanding in order to be successful in helping our clients and their horses.  As we strongly believe that horses can learn without force, and in spending whatever time necessary to progress softly, finding guidance from someone who respects that line of thinking is a must.  This is exactly what led us to Phillipe Karl and the Ecole de Legerete.  When we discovered that Mr. Bertrand Ravoux would be here in the US again, we hopped on a plane to California this past April to personally meet him and see if this was everything we hoped it would be.  

Not only were we happy to find Mr. Ravoux to be an outstanding instructor and clinician, we were pleasantly surprised at how welcoming, humble and supportive the Ecole de Legerete community was…and has continued to be!  We also noticed that these clinics had yet to be offered in the heart of the Midwest.  So, we took it upon ourselves to ask for the opportunity to host a clinic at our own barn here in Wisconsin, which will now be a tour location for Mr. Ravoux's trainers' / open teaching course tour three times per year for at least the next three  years.  We are thrilled to present and participate in the October 5 – 8, 2019, Ecole de Legerete with Mr. Bertrand Ravoux and welcome you to join us in this great opportunity!

You can learn more about Rick and Kari on their website! Contact them if you have any questions about their debut clinic with Mr Ravoux and their support of the Ecole de Légèreté!

Email: KARINNESCHMITT@GMAIL.COM

Address: 551 VALLEY VIEW TRAIL SOMERSET, WI 54025

Phone: (651) 283-0326 | (715) 377-3047

James Riedeman becomes licensed in the Ecole de Légèreté

James Riedeman of Albuquerque, New Mexico, became the second licensed instructor of the Ecole de Legerete in the United States.  His journey to certification began in 2013 and included hundreds of hours of study and application with horses and students. He passed his three part exam earning his status as a Foundation Level instructor in 2018.  This has been a welcome continuation of his lifelong study of the horse set in motion during his early years in his native state of Michigan.  

James showing his horse in ramener, high and light with poll flexion. The poll is correctly the highest point.

Now James shows a longer neck with a clearly open poll. Changes of neck position are key to changing the balance of the horse.

He began his equestrian career in USDF dressage working his way up through Grand Prix and graduating the “L” judge’s program.  Although these are significant accomplishments, James found something was still missing in his work with horses. His ultimate goal was a calm, supple, loose, and flexible horse that was a pleasure to ride but he began to question if he using the most effective methods to achieve this? 

Curiosity about a book and some videos loaned to him by clients led him to the answers he was looking for in “The Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage” written by Philippe Karl, founder of the Ecole de Légèreté. Although James had sorted out some fo the issues he had discovered in the mainstream of dressage, Philippe Karl’s book explained more completely and clearly the problems and their solutions that remained ultimately respectful of the horse.  Not long after, he joined the first US course in Santa Fe, NM with Master Instructor Bertrand Ravoux. Under Mr Ravoux’s guidance, James began to understand more and more that he could achieve his goal with the help and support of this method.  

Looking to the future, James is building up his training facilities in Albuquerque and teaching lessons throughout New Mexico.  He is available for clinics nationwide.  You can contact him at (505) 453-1725, or email him at dressagejwr@aol.com. 

“My goal has always been and will continue to be bringing horses and riders together.  I want to help them connect and work collaboratively in a completely cooperative and beneficial way.   Légèreté allows this and even creates a structure to support it.  Why should I reinvent the wheel when it’s all here?”  

Congratulations James!  It is an arduous task to attain the Foundation licensure in the Ecole de Légèreté.  The education process involves over 300 hours in session with Mr Ravoux (over 3 years), diligent practice and application both teaching students and developing one’s horse, independent study and review of the immense theoretical underpinning of the methodology, and the presentation of the exam.  

The exam itself is presented in 3 phases: A 45 minute theory exam given after 30 minutes of preparation (without notes.)  The topic is given by Mr Ravoux.  A clear, thorough, and correct presentation is expected.  Phase 2 is pedagogy (literally the method and practice of teaching.)  A student is in attendance that has not been seen by the teacher in training.  They have one hour to present a lesson to the standards set by the Ecole de Légèreté: observation of the student and the horse, evaluating or educating the horse by the teacher riding it briefly, and designing a suitable lesson plan to address the 1 or 2 top priorities for the growth of the horse/rider pair.  Phase three is the presentation of the teacher’s own horse that they have been developing throughout the course.  Of top priority is relaxation, correct and consistent contact with the horse in ramener (appropriate poll flexion with the poll as the highest point), mobility of the jaw, clear changes of neck position/gymnastics (ramener and extended neck), accurate lateral work and geometry, clarity and subtlety of the aids, purity of the gaits, balance, fluidity, and mobility throughout.  Only after all of this things are in order are you presented a license by Philippe Karl to represent him as a licensed instructor. 

Philippe Karl and High Noon in Hamburg

Philippe Karl, his beloved gelding High Noon, and teachers of the Ecole de Légèreté brought the message and method of the school to the Hansepferd horse fair in Hamburg, Germany.  Mr Karl quietly and elegantly rode "Noon" through all his paces even jumping flags held horizontally during his presentation!  Later, a quadrille was presented by Mr Karl and European instructors in the school.  What a wonderful opportunity for horse people to witness the grace and harmony of Légèreté!  

Click on photo to see more!

Bertrand Ravoux & the Italian School of Légèreté draw Media Attention

Here is some sensational news for all the supporters of the Ecole de Légèreté in Italy!  BERTRAND RAVOUX along with the Italian Ecole de Légèreté will be showcased in a world-class newspaper November 6th - 9th during their conference. 

French Equitation Recognized by UNESCO

In 2011, the news was released that “Equitation in the French tradition” has been added to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage Representative List. UNESCO stated that “the classical French Equitation aims for a harmonious relationship between horse and rider, with mutual respect and lightness.” This important recognition validates the importance, uniqueness and cultural value of French Equitation, which is the basis of the School of Légèreté and BERTRAND RAVOUX'S training philosophy. 

Please continue reading about the significance of the history of French Equitation on EuroDressage's website.