06/01/2025
This amazing workshop with Sofia Valença, renowned Classical Dressage expert from Portugal, currently has two spots available due to cancellations. If you're looking to learn a unique approach to training and want to become a true dance partner with your horse—not just a rider—this is the perfect opportunity for you! Remember, it takes two to tango, and you could be one of them. For bookings and more details, please send me a PM. While it may seem like a splurge, it's a small group, so you'll receive plenty of personal attention and time with Sofia.
Have you ever experienced the Art of Classical Dressage?
For the clinic of Sofia Valenca as advertised below, I invite riders of all levels and disciplines to join this clinic. This approach to training and exercising your horse will open a whole new world of possibilities for you all.
What is the difference between Classical and Modern Dressage?
Classical dressage refers to the traditional approach to training and riding horses, focusing on the harmonious relationship between horse and rider. It is a discipline that emphasizes the development of the horse's physical and mental capabilities through progressive training, while maintaining natural movements and balance.
The principles of classical dressage are rooted in the teachings of great masters such as Xenophon, Federico Grisone, and the Baucher family, and were later refined through the work of figures like Nuno Olivera and others who championed traditional methods. Classical dressage emphasizes:
1. **Lightness**: A horse should respond to subtle aids from the rider, showing a relaxed and light connection without tension.
2. **Balance**: The horse is trained to move in an upright position, maintaining natural balance and avoiding over-collection or artificial movement.
3. **Flexibility**: Both the horse's body and mind should be flexible, capable of adapting to various exercises while remaining calm.
4. **Precision and Elegance**: The goal is not just to perform the movements correctly, but to do so in a beautiful, graceful way, making the effort appear effortless.
5. **Sublime Communication**: Training emphasizes a deep connection between horse and rider, where the rider’s aids are soft and the horse's response is natural.
This style contrasts with modern competitive dressage, which can sometimes prioritize the ex*****on of specific movements for scores over the natural, harmonious development of the horse. Classical dressage, often seen in historical or artistic forms, promotes a more philosophical and organic progression in the horse’s education, focusing on the horse’s well-being and the rider's ability to guide it with minimal force.
