Inside the Manège

Sonja Weber, a classical rider and trainer with over 25 years of experience, shares how to keep the horse healthy long-term with classical dressage, through developing its carrying capacity.Passionate about sharing how training can be used to develop the horse’s body to support its health, she  has written two books, and produced several films on how to use collection to build the horse’s thoracic sling muscles, and establish a healthy posture.Based in Germany, and originally from Austria, Sonja Weber has extensive experience using classical dressage to develop horses of a vast number of breeds, from Lusitanos and Arabians, to Icelandic horses and Haflingers.Sharing her insights online in both English and German, Sonja has a wealth of knowledge about the connection between biomechanics and classical training – and continues to inspire students and followers from around the world with her simple and straightforward insights. In this episode, we explore:◼️ How to recognise Topline Syndrome and Abnormal Compensatory Posture◼️ How the thoracic sling works and why it’s so important◼️ How to use classical dressage for different breeds and conformations◼️ How you can change a horse’s posture through trainingFor this special episode, we filmed this conversation in Sonja’s native German, to make it easier to dive deep into the topic, and what you see here is an English translation. If you’d like to see the original German version, you can watch the full episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/gSWwp-XCBBgTimestamps:00:00 Intro02:01 How can you use training to keep the horse healthy long-term?04:41 Using collection to develop the horse’s carrying capacity10:21 Why is posture important, and how can you influence it?14:50 Analysing piaffe and passage & modern competition19:05 What’s the role of the forehand in collection?21:35 Abnormal Compensatory Posture & changing the horse’s posture27:26 Developing piaffe with multiple breeds & stallions’ natural posture31:13 How Topline Syndrome and Abnormal Compensatory Posture develop33:00 Elements of collection, balance, & the horse’s natural shock absorbers41:14 The role of the back, and analysing the long & low position47:26 What does the correct rotation of the horse’s spine look like?52:56 What Sonja Weber’s own path has been like & healthy older horses57:31 Working with different breeds & using classical dressage to benefit them1:01:47 Working with traumatized horses & flight animal instincts1:09:48 Using classical dressage across breeds and disciplines1:13:39 What do you want to see more of in the sport dressage world?1:17:49 Finding your own path & staying with one trainer🐎 Learn more about Sonja Weber and her training:Website: https://www.sonja-weber-reitkunst.de/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonja.weberreitkunst Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonja_weber_reitkunst/ 🎠 Follow the INSIDE THE MANÈGE Podcast:Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariacequestrian/ Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariacookeequestrian Website/Blog: https://mariacooke.com/ 🔔 Subscribe to INSIDE THE MANÈGE for more interviews with classical riders🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Pureza Oliveira, daughter of the now legendary classical rider Nuno Oliveira, shares stories of her father as a rider, an artist, and how her own story and artistic journey developed, told through her experiences with her father.Having translated both the collected early and later writings of Nuno Oliveira for the first time into English, she continues to be an important representative of her father’s life and work, and can uniquely share what it was really like to grow up with him, and observe him working with the horses.In this episode, Pureza describes her father’s big personality, his family, their daily life, her artistic work, and their shared artistic approach to life.As a great lover of music and master of equestrian art, Nuno Oliveira continues to inspire riders and is celebrated as one of, if not the greatest rider of the 20th century.In this episode, Pureza shares:◼️ What Nuno Oliveira was like as a person and in riding◼️ Stories of growing up and learning with her father◼️ Her key role in translating his writings into English & Portuguese◼️ How she developed her artistic work, and her father’s influenceTimestamps:00:00 Intro01:32 Why Pureza Translated Nuno Oliveira’s Books05:41 Work in Lisbon, and Building his Stable Quinta do Brejo10:12 Nuno Oliveira’s Family & Great Riders at his School13:28 What Was Nuno Like as a Person?16:18 Nuno’s Daily Life & Accomplished Students20:55 What was it Like to Learn With Him?24:06 The Importance of Reading & Studying the Classics27:05 Discussions with Classical Riders28:04 Mr. Miranda, Nuno Oliveira’s Teacher32:03 How Did Nuno Interact with Horses?37:38 Pureza’s Artistic Family & Influences40:44 Nuno’s Influence & Love for Music44:13 Pureza’s Art & Nuno in Switzerland48:11 Translating His Work into English & Portuguese52:55 Nuno’s Theatrical Sense of Humour56:04 Pureza’s Message for Listeners, and Nuno’s Passing🐎 Learn more about Pureza Oliveira & Discover Her Artwork:Website: http://www.purezaoliveira.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pureza.oliveira.3 Silk Scarf Exhibition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-6VZ7FIjV0 🎠 Follow the INSIDE THE MANÈGE Podcast:Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariacequestrian/ Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariacookeequestrian Website/Blog: https://mariacooke.com/ 🔔 Subscribe to INSIDE THE MANÈGE for more interviews with classical riders🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Books Mentioned in this Episode:Equestrian Art: The Collected Early Writings (1951-1956) by Master Nuno OliveiraEquestrian Art: The Collected Later Works by Master Nuno OliveiraPrincípios Clássicos da Arte de Ensinar os CavalosNotable People Mentioned in this Episode: Bettina Drummond, João Oliveira, Dom Diogo de Bragança, Ghuilerme Borba, Miguel Tavora, João Filipe Figueiredo Graciosa, José de Ataíde, Jaime Celestino da Costa, Master Miranda, João Nuncio, Catherine Laurenty, Sara Oliveira, Desiree du Pisanie.

Anja Beran, a highly respected classical rider and trainer based in the south of Germany, shares where modern riding has lost its way – and why we should return to training dressage based on classical principles. With over 30 years of experience, Anja Beran has taught internationally and written several books on classical training. From Iberian horses to Akhal-Tekes and warmbloods, she applies classical principles to bring out the best in horses of all breeds, conformations, and backgrounds. Her success in rehabilitating modern sport horses using dressage as a form of physiotherapy has also set her apart as a skilled trainer, and she has also collaborated with sport organisations such as German state-owned stud farm Marbach. Through her dedication to the art and science of classical riding, to her horses and many beloved animals, as well as to her students around the world, she has become one of the most well-respected classical trainers today.In this episode, she shares:◼️ How to ride according to the nature of the horse◼️ How piaffe, passage, and extended trot today are often distorted – even in high level competition◼️ How to use the Spanish walk to develop a horse gymnastically◼️ How to use dressage as physiotherapy for the horseTimestamps:00:00 Intro01:40 Why is Classical Training Important Today?03:32 How Do You Define Classical Training?06:38 When Horses are Pushed too Soon08:40 How Do You Train Young Horses Differently?18:37 The Origin of Tempi Changes, and Natural and Unnatural Movements20:06 The Benefits of Using the Spanish Walk23:29 How Anja Beran Rehabilitates Sport Horses31:23 The Correct Working Neck Position35:42 Recognizing Faults in High-Level Piaffe, Passage, and Extended Trot41:49 Developing Soft Contact, and the Descente des Mains et Des Jambes48:07 Using the Seat More, and the Hands and Legs Less50:06 Straightening a Crooked Horse*56:37 How Studying Dressage Influenced Anja Beran’s Work1:00:00 Helping Challenging Horses with Dressage as Physiotherapy1:08:00 What Anja Beran is Working on Now1:10:09 How to Continue Learning from Anja Beran🐎 Learn more about Anja Beran’s Work and Foundation:Website: https://www.anjaberan.de/enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100043906910677#Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anjaberan.foundation/🎠 Follow the INSIDE THE MANÈGE Podcast:Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariacequestrian/ Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariacookeequestrian Website/Blog: https://mariacooke.com/ 🔔 Subscribe to INSIDE THE MANÈGE for more interviews with classical riders🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.*At 52:55, “from left to right” refers to the horse’s movement in relation to the left and right sides of its body, rather than the ridden direction on the track. Therefore, in this instance, “from left to right” refers to riding left shoulder-in on the left rein.*At 53:06, for a horse crooked to the left, asking for shoulder-in where the horse moves its body “from right to left” refers to shoulder-in right, on the right rein. This can help stretch the left “hollow” side of the horse.

Philippe Karl, renowned rider and teacher of French classical riding, shares his passionate critiques of modern dressage riding, and discusses how we can train according to the nature of the horse, and what differentiates the French classical tradition.Philippe Karl has been riding and teaching for over 50 years, and was a rider of the famous Cadre Noir in Saumur, France for 13 years. Having started his own school called the School of Lightness, or l’École de Légèreté, he has taught students and instructors around the world. A vocal advocate for kind and logical horse training, he has debated with dressage authorities such as Christoph Hess on the current state of dressage training and suggested making changes for the future of the sport.In this episode, he shares:◼️ How some common training techniques do not correspond to the nature of the horse◼️ Why hyperflexion isn’t healthy and where modern dressage has become distorted◼️ What defines French classical riding◼️ How he gets a heavy horse light in the mouthTimestamps:00:00 Intro01:14 Defining What Classical Means and the Horse’s Nature03:11 Is Modern Dressage a Positive Evolution?06:34 How to Educate a Horse Differently10:50 The Modern German Influence on the Dressage World14:59 Changing Misconceptions of Training and Baucherism25:05 Principles of Baucher and the French Tradition31:35 The Myth of Uniform Bend Through the Whole Spine37:24 Why is Riding in a Low and Hyperflexed Position Unhealthy?44:15 Why Dressage Horses Break Down50:59 Debating with Christoph Hess and Working the Horse at the Walk or Halt57:49 What are Flexions and How to Make the Horse Light in the Mouth1:10:00 Breaking The Learning Process into Small Pieces1:11:32 What Would You Recommend for Riders Listening?🐎 Learn more about Philippe Karl’s Work and the School of Lightness:Website: https://www.philippe-karl.com/Facebook: https://www.philippe-karl.com/social-media🎠 Follow Inside the Manège:Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariacequestrian/ Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariacookeequestrian Website/Blog: https://mariacooke.com/ 🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with classical riders🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Classical dressage master Luís Valença shares about equestrian art, stories of his work with horses and Nuno Oliveira, and what makes a classical rider. Luís Valença is a renowned Portuguese classical master with over 60 years of experience. He studied directly with masters such as Nuno Oliveira, worked with the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, and has been driving spectacular equestrian shows like Apassionata and Cavalluna with his family. For over 40 years, he has taught and trained horses and riders on his own farm in Portugal, where his daughters continue to teach in this tradition.In this episode, he shares:How Nuno Oliveira transformed his horses using the system of François BaucherThe story of one horse that changed the course of his life and careerWhat differentiates riders who advance to equestrian art, from those who can only rideWhat makes a rider truly classical🔍 To watch this episode with subtitles, subscribe to the podcast on YouTube and turn on closed captions for the video.Timestamps:00:00 Intro2:24 - Developing a Classical Rider with Freedom3:36 - Sport Dressage Riders with a Classical Foundation4:47 - Nuno's Passion and Listening to Classical Music6:11 - Story of Nuno Oliveira, Harpalo Prince, and Equestrian Art9:41 - My Masters, Background, and the methods of François Baucher15:03 - The Story of Sultão and the Beginning of Apassionata and Cavalluna19:10 - Why Riders Come to My Stables from Around the World27:38 - Working with Different Horses like Lusitanos and Warmbloods30:33 - Story of Nuno Oliveira and Bunker, with Hélène Arianoff and Michel Henriquet35:49 - Using the Aids Without Force, and Classical Dressage38:38 - What Exercises Help the Rider Improve their Aids40:02 - The Role of Love in Working with Horses41:38 - The Pictures in My Arena and My Inspirations44:36 - How Can People Learn from My Methods?🐎 Learn more about Luís Valença’s Work Through the Valença Academy:Website: https://www.valencaequestrianacademy.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/valencaclassicalridingFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValencaEquestrianToursFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069242888414Cavalluna Shows (EU): https://www.cavalluna.com/en🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with classical riders🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.