Spanish Classic riding for beginers

[Tifferss]

I have always adored spanish riding (rode a pure bred andalusian nearly died of happyness)

My question is where to start with training? books? dvd's? etc etc. needs to be really simplistic to start with

 

[Tinypony]

An instructor I think. Where are you?

 

[Tifferss]

Wolverhampton

 

[chestnut cob]

Call Emma Bailey, she's a classical instructor, french style.

Emma Bailey website

I would have some lessons with Emma. I started going to her last year and she's very classical. Very good, really interesting lessons and totally different to anything I've ever done.

She covers the NW and W Mids I think (I'm in Telford and AFAIK she teaches over here about once a month or so).

 

[Tifferss]

Thank you very much!!

 

[Tifferss]

ps - is french style very different to spanish?

 

[chestnut cob]

There will be other people on here better qualified to answer that question than me! I don't know much about the SRS but I think they tend to be more like the French than the German classical style.

What I like about EB's teaching is that she works on the all round athleticism of your horse rather than trying to "get it on the bit". We spend a lesson working primarily on targeted exercises to, say, make his hips more mobile, encourage him to soften his neck laterally, and it all helps to build up to him carrying himself and putting himself in the correct place instead of needing to be held up.

I'd give her a call and see how you feel about what she says, then maybe arrange for her to come out to give you and your horse some lessons.

 

[Tifferss]

Thank you very much! How much does she charge?

 

[Kat]

Do you mean classical dressage like the sort of thing you see the spanish riding school doing?

Or do you mean spanish style riding, like the Doma Vaquera (sp?) this is what you see at the School of Equestrian Art in Andalucia (Jerez) and is kind of a fusion of classical dressage and western. They ride in slightly western style saddles and often use a pole.

Classical dressage tuition would be easy enough to find in the UK but the spanish style riding might be more difficult. I thought the traditional spanish saddles were lovely to ride in, more comfy than a western saddle, I only rode out spansih style though, didn't get to try any schooling/dressage.

 

[Tifferss]

Yeah the spanish riding school stuff

 

[Kat]

In that case Sylvia Loch's website might be a good starting point.

 

[Tifferss]

excellent - thank you