The Grand Prix horse should at any time be able to be ridden like these young horses. Just by sitting on the horse’s back, the rider causes muscle tension which must be relaxed before work proceeds. The tension cannot be allowed to continue. The musculature must become loose.

Transitions from extension to collection and back to extension must be worked on constantly. The horse should not be asked for more extension than he is able to give without losing rhythm.

Frequent REST BREAKS are needed so that the muscles can rest and re - oxygenate. This is best done in a free walk.

Time pressure — being in a hurry — is the worst thing for training. The rider must be aware of the horse’s need for rest, which will give you a renewed horse ready for the systematic gymnasticizing that must be done. The rider must be careful not to ask for too much too soon.

The rider must pay attention to the clarity of the walk when he takes up the reins.

Day Two:

Mette’s horse is longer backed and has less swing, and will therefore require more frequent half halts. The rider must give with the hand and send the horse forward from the seat and leg in order to achieve balance and evenness in the gait.

If the horse is responding well to the half halts, down transitions from trot to walk are no longer needed.

This horse should be positioned in the half halt so that he is deeper in the poll—this will allow him to become light in the hand, with the hind leg stepping under better. The rider must seek give in the jaw and lower neck muscles and ask the horse to carry himself more and more.

Klaus rode the horse: "It is important not to do to much when first getting on a horse that you don’t know. The rider must get a feel for the temperament of the horse, and ask the horse to accept contact, always looking for relaxation. The hindquarters must work in such a way that the horse steps through his back which becomes supple and loose. The activity from the hind leg must always go forward to the hand. If the horse rushes away at the walk, the horse should be brought back and then released (the rider must let go with hand)—this will teach the horse to reach down without running away. You can lead the horse to stretch down by positioning the neck; when the horse is positioned to the left, the crest should go to the left.

If the noseband is too low, the skin between the noseband and the bit gets pulled and rubbed, causing the horse discomfort and loss of relaxation.

Half halts must be given again and again—perhaps every stride—to keep the horse light in the hand. The most important thing when a stronger half halt is required is that the rider gives immediately so that the horse remembers this pleasant moment. Always return to softness after half halt. The bigger the temp, the lower the neck should be, but don’t allow heaviness when riding the horse deep.

The aids must be in balance: use less driving aids if the horse is not responding well to the restraining aid of the reins.

Jan Ebeling

Think lengthening but keep the horse on the aids. Watch out for the horse willing to give it all—don’t ask for too much. The inside hand guides and shows the horse where to go—it should not be too tight, but should have contact. The horse must feel security from the rider or he will get nervous. Think forward first of all—through the hand and into the bit.

Don’t ask for too much in the trot extensions. Half halt so that the horse stays with the rider. The rider must be definite. Keep the horse within his limits when you have an eager and forward horse like this. The result is the horse will move more and more from behind, while staying on the bit in light contact and maintaining self carriage.

The horse must be willing to accept collection and then to go. If the horse gets strong, immediately bring him back with the hand but maintain the canter—the rein aids should be light and playful.

Gay Walker Report