Academy Bartels - The detailed report

Four Seasons

Four Seasons

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As some of you may know, I was at Academy Bartels from the 26th of March till the 31st for a week of training. Academy Bartels is the home of Imke Schellekens-Bartels (she used to ride Hunter Douglas Sunrise international and they went to the Olympics of Beijing. She does still ride her though) and Tineke Bartels, a very respected trainer in Holland. Been to many Olympics and World Championships. For any who think they do Rollkur, THEY DON'T. I have watched them train the horses everyday, they are extremely fair towards the horses and ride them so beautifully and very kind.

Monday​
We set off to Academy Bartels with Breitlingh. Breitlingh was rather impatient in the trailer, stamping around. My poor trailer was taking a beating. We finally arrived at Academy Bartels, I was so excited! The entrance gate!
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The outside of the stables
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The paddocks
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One of the outdoor arena's
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The fields
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We settled Breitlingh in her beautiful stable (Click) and went to the library to meet all of the other people that have come for the trainingweek. Tineke also came along to meet us all and talk about the horses and the problems.

I was expecting Breitlingh to be hyper for the first lesson, as the day before I gave her a day off. But, she was great! We didn't have a break and the steering was wonky, but she didn't spook!:cool: Tineke was very busy observing and watching us ride, so she could see what the problems were.
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http://www.youtube.com/v/vABbu_j-piQ

http://www.youtube.com/v/i-tyHShFZjU

On monday evening we all had dinner with Tineke and Imke. Tineke is so down-to-earth.... and she has a bad memory.:D

Tuesday​
Tuesday was a full day that focussed on your seat. The Flexchair is a saddle like shape that shows the movement of your pelvis on a computer. I did the full Flexchair training last year, so this time I just had to check to see if it was still allright.
Mischa Koot is trained in the classical seat, so she gave gave the lesson on Tuesday. She said I sit in perfect balance with my horse. That I tip forward a bit, doesn't matter, because I am balanced in that.

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Wednesday​
Breitlingh didn't go very well on Wednesday. She was very tense.... she did her trick in canter.... head up in the air and running off. Tineke said we shouldn't canter untill I have got full control of the walk and trot. Breitlingh went well at they end. Tineke gave us the tip that we should start off "lazy". A slow trot and once I've got the control in that speed, speed up a notch and then more and more, untill we're back to normal speed.

(Yes I plaited her.:cool:)
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http://www.youtube.com/v/sjOw9BmuWbs

Thursday​
The Olympic team physio came to Academy Bartels to explain to us about physio and the muscles of a horse etc. I asked if he could check Breitlingh, as she goes all weird in canter. He checked her and their was nothing wrong with her... she's perfectly loose and supple!
Breitlingh went EXTREMELY well on thursday. I had control of everything.... wow, she felt really good!:D We cantered and she went fantastic! Not quite up to spec... but it's a start!

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http://www.youtube.com/v/JKwHCM6Xr3o

http://www.youtube.com/v/jGT4NNdfhyc

Friday​
Because the Thursday went so well... I was looking forward to the lesson on Friday. Again, Breitlingh was GREAT! FANTASTIC! What a wonderful horse to ride..... she went perfect! :D Tineke gave us many compliments and she saw the potential in Breitlingh, so proud!

http://www.youtube.com/v/OFamWUBYA3I

http://www.youtube.com/v/M_wiTVpM8GY

I had a great time there. It costs a lot of money, but well worth it! You learn so much in a weeks time! And Tineke and Imke are fabulous people....

Respect if you made it through the whole thread!:cool:
 
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Fantastic report it all sounds such fun and a really good experience. Lovely horse!
Would love to travel over to Holland/Germany for training like that one day:)
 
Great report, really interesting. What wonderful facilities, and if I put my horses in those stables and paddocks they probably wouldn't want to come home :D
Sounds like you made excellent progress too.
 
ooooh, im nipping home at lunch so will watch your vids then, sounds fab :)

in the plaited pic, and the 2 above it, she looks much more in your hand (in a good way) if you know what i mean, better connected and more over her back.
 
Wow, fantastic report :D I am very jealous.

It sounds as though you learned loads, Breightlingh looks amazing, and how lovely to have such compliments about your riding :D
 
Well ridden - quiet and soft.

Super horse too, glad im not the only one who has a mare with an interesting canter!
Although, you seem to have overcome yours as the last canter was really great.
Mine is still getting there.
 
Wow I am JEALOUS looks like you had a fab week and got alot from it! I really really like your mare...have done since you first posted about her.
 
That report sounded great thanks for sharing. I'd love a week to concentrate on me and my horse fully and it definitely sounds like money well spent. You've not had her long and you've already come far so I'll look forward to seeing you progress this year.
 
That is one of the best reports I have read on here in a long time. You ride your mare very well, she is very nice. Can't see the vids but will try my best to watch! What a great opportunity xx
 
That was a real pleasure to read and B is fantastic.

I always like to find out what people feel they have taken away from detailed training such as this, can you share? Sorry if it says in the vids I had to watch them on silent as the boys have a film on :)
 
@ FB
Yep, next time with two horses (i hope).:D

@ NR99
She is much more under control now. I have had very handy tips from Tineke for gaining control. Her canter is much better, not as stressed. She's 500% better. Very much worth the money.... I'm so pleased how she's improved.
 
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