Philippe Karl

Classical Dressage Master

from France

School of Légèreté Teachers' Course 2011 - 2014

Offered for the first time in North America...

Dates for 2011

April 14 - 17, 2011    Philippe Karl

July 21 - 24, 2011    Philippe Karl

October 13 - 16, 2011    Bertrand Ravoux

Subsequent dates for the remainder of the years through 2014 will correspond to those above for each year.  They will be announced as soon as this is possible.

Philippe Karl's Teachers' Course for riding instructors will be held at ForTheHorse Equestrian Centre in Chase, BC, Canada.

Philippe Karl Biography

Philippe Karl was born in 1947. In 1968, he dropped his medical studies to dedicate himself to working with horses. From 1968 to 1971, he studied breeding, first at the Zootechnical Studies Centre (Centre d´Enseignement Zootechnique) in Rambouillet, then at the French national stud Haras National du Pin. He obtained his national riding instructor's certificate in 1971.

From 1972 to 1979, he was head of the riding department at the Centre d´Enseignement Zootechnique in Rambouillet, where he was in charge of various branches of professional training. From 1980 to 1985, he ran his own stables. During all these years, he was regularly competing in eventing and show jumping.

In 1985, General Pierre Durand appointed him as a member of the French national riding school Ecole Nationale d´Equitation in Saumur, and he became an Ecuyer at the prestigious Cadre Noir. Being especially dedicated to the shows of the Cadre Noir, he created two historical shows, presentations at the long reins – both in jumping and High School – and participated in the shows of the Ecuyers. For thirteen years, he took part in all the gala shows of the Cadre Noir in France and all over Europe.

In 1998, he left the Ecole Nationale d´Equitation to devote himself to the clinics he is giving in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the United States. Since 2004, he has been especially dedicated to the training of riding instructors within his School of Légèreté.

Teachers' Course General information

The basic training course to become a riding instructor of the School of Légèreté lasts three years and comprises three four-day clinics per year. The final exam will be held during the tenth clinic at the beginning of the fourth year. The students attend the course with their own horses. It is strongly recommended to continuously promote the training of one of the horses over the whole duration of the course, in order to judge the progress in the best possible way.

Program 

• individual dressage training 
• work in hand, at the longe and on long reins
• jumping
• quadrille 
• theory
• pedagogical training
• final exam

                                                                                 

Final exam

The students will be judged on:

• their theoretical knowledge,
• the training level reached by their horses and
• their pedagogical competence.

The successful students will receive a certificate as “Riding instructor of the School of Légèreté”, which will allow them to officially teach this riding philosophy in the name of Philippe Karl. As this training concept is legally protected by patent against plagiarism, distortions or arbitrary, unauthorized use, no one may refer to the School of Légèreté or the lessons of Philippe Karl without having received the corresponding certificate.
Note that the certificate may be withdrawn on grounds of violations against the ethical principles of the School of Légèreté (see “Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage”).

Detailed information on the requirements for the final exam and the five obtainable levels can be found here.   

Auditors 

Auditors are welcome at all clinics for the course.

This is an amazing opportunity to see Philippe Karl's methods in action and learn from one of the most experienced and world famous classical masters alive today. While demand for his expertise is increasing around the world, Philippe is actually scaling back the number of clinics that he teaches personally, so this course may be a once in a lifetime chance to meet and observe the man himself.

Please help spread the word among your networks to ensure the maximum possible number of horses and riders in North America are able to benefit!  

Whole course auditors will be able to spectate during all lessons and theory sessions and also have the chance to participate as 'students of the students' to enable the riders to practice and develop their teaching skills under Philippe Karl's supervision.    

Please contact Chris@ForTheHorse.com for the registration form and details.

Advanced training courses

If they wish, the licensed instructors of the School of Légèreté can improve their knowledge beyond the basic training by participating in advanced training courses. These take place as three-day clinics three times a year. Instructors who follow all three clinics per year will be awarded a yearly certification. 

It is our intention to offer these continued education advanced training courses at ForTheHorse in Chase, BC, Canada.

ForTheHorse Equestrian Centre Location

We are conveniently located within a day's driving distance from major cities of Vancouver, BC, Kamloops, BC, Victoria, BC, Calgary, AB, Edmonton, AB, Seattle WA, Spokane, WA and Portland, OR.  Driving access is from the major #1 highway.

Airport access is connecting from Vancouver or Calgary airports to Kamloops or Kelowna airports.  We are an easy 40 minute drive from the Kamloops airport. 

Several accommodations for riders are available at our centre or there is a choice of several hotel/motels, B&Bs, or a world class resort on the lake - all within a 10 minute drive from our centre.

We look forward to meeting all of you and working towards lightness and ease, ForTheHorse!

For more information about rider/auditor and horse accommodation, please contact us

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Offsite Accommodation Options

Talking Rock at Quaaout Lodge Hotel – 250 679-3090 http://www.quaaout.com/ - a fabulous resort on the lake