Difference between classical, and traditional English style riding

[TrasaM]

I learnt to ride at a BHS approved riding school, and was never taught to take a strong contact, overshorten my reins, or push the horse into the bridle.

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This was also my experience. I struggled with finding what the RI decreed to be the correct length of rein and contact. Because of this I looked for an alternative method and found French Classical riding and started instruction with a Philippe Karl trained instructor. What a revelation to find that how I imagined horse riding should feel like actually did exist. I was taken right back to basics and in sharp contrast to my first lessons a la BHS RI, there was a lot of emphasis on understanding and respect for the horse and how my mental as well as my physical activity affected it's way of going and responses.