Open clinics with Birgit Beck-Broichsitter

Licenced Instructor of Philippe Karl's School of Légèreté

Why should you attend this clinic?

Photo: Alain Laurioux

Philippe Karl, the author, classical trainer and highly respected former écuyer of the Cadre Noir, has become very well known in recent years as a champion of horse-friendly schooling and riding as well as a staunch critic of modern coercive training methods. The UK branch of his School of Légèreté instructor training course began here at The Holistic Equitation Centre in January 2011. Since announcing this course, we have been inundated with enquiries from people asking about the possibility of having riding lessons with Philippe Karl in person. Unfortunately, Monsieur Karl’s commitments around the world make it impossible for him to teach individuals outside of the instructors’ courses.

To bridge this gap, however, we are delighted that Birgit Beck-Broichsitter, one of M. Karl’s already qualified instructors, has agreed to hold regular open clinics at The Holistic Equitation Centre.

In contrast to M. Karl’s instructor training course, where prospective riders (who must already be instructors) are selected for a 3 year programme and spectators must also commit to attending the entire programme, this clinic is open to any rider and spectators may attend as a one-off without any further commitment being necessary.

Who is Birgit Beck-Broichsitter?

Birgit, who is one of Philippe Karl’s most experienced licenced instructors, was raised in a family of professional riders. Her early career was spent competing successfully in all riding disciplines and she qualified many young three-day-event horses for the German state and national championships. Her main focus, however, has always been classical dressage and after gaining her professional rider’s and master’s certificates from the German federation, she continued her education by visiting the Spanish Riding School in Vienna and training with Chief Rider, Johann Riegler, at his private stable. In 2004, Birgit was selected as one of the candidates for Philippe Karl’s first instructors’ training course in Germany together with her home bred mare, Evita. She passed her exam in 2007, adding the title of Licenced Instructor of the School of Légèreté to her already impressive list of achievements. Since then, Birgit has continued to further her training with M. Karl in advanced courses 3 times each year.

Birgit and Evita

What will you learn?

As a full-time professional instructor, Birgit gives regular lessons and clinics in various locations in Germany, Austria and Portugal with heart, soul and sensitivity. Her teaching is based on a careful analysis of each individual horse and rider.

Birgit chooses to follow M. Karl’s way of schooling because as she says, "it takes into consideration both the physiology and the psychology of the horse and therefore corresponds to my own holistic understanding of the relationship between horse and rider".

During the clinic you will have the opportunity to see how these methods can be put into practice to help horses and their riders progress in their schooling or solve riding problems to produce calm and happy combinations, whatever the level of rider and however ’unsuitable for dressage’ their horse may appear!

How will the clinic be organised?

Each clinic runs over 3 days with 8 participating riders:

     Day 1: 8 x Individual 60' lessons + evening theory

     Day 2: 8 x Individual 45' lessons + 2 x group lessons (e.g work in-hand, jumping, etc)

     Day 3: 8 x Individual 45' lessons

At the end of the clinic, each of the riders will be given advice on how to continue to develop what they have learned in their own practice back at home.

What if I’d like to participate?

Clinics will be held at The Holistic Equitation Centre on 6 separate occasions in 2012:

              Feb: 14-16 (Tue/Wed/Thu) and 17-19 (Fri/Sat/Sun)

              Jun: 12-14 (Tue/Wed/Thu) and 15-17 (Fri/Sat/Sun)

              Nov:    3-5     (Sat/Sun/Mon)   and    6-8 (Tue/Wed/Thu)

Costs:   Riders: £350.00 (not including livery - please contact us for details)

              Spectators: £60.00 (one day), £80.00 (any two days) or £100.00 (all three days)

               Special rates apply for spectators already auditing Philippe Karl's clinics

               PK Auditors: £40.00 (one day), £55.00 (any two days) or £70.00 (all three days)

There are several good local B&B possibilities plus a number of hotels that do offers (please ask for our list when booking your place). If you need to keep costs down there is some parking for horseboxes and riders/spectators may also pitch a tent and camp (both by prior arrangement, please!). We have kitchen and toilet facilities available for use but unfortunately no shower.

Lunches will also be available at £7 per person per day if ordered in advance. To order meals, please contact us after making your booking below.

Book your place here

RIDERS Please contact us to check availability.

SPECTATORS: Please click the appropriate button below to secure your place on either of our February clinics

Clinic A: Tue 14 - Thu 16 Feb One day only £60.00 GBP Two days only £80.00 GBP All three days £100.00 GBP PK Auditors: one day £40.00 GBP PK Auditors: two days £55.00 GBP PK Auditors: three days £70.00 GBP PLEASE SPECIFY WHICH DAYS:

Clinic B: Fri 17 - Sun 19 Feb One day only £60.00 GBP Two days only £80.00 GBP All three days £100.00 GBP PK auditors: one day £40.00 GBP PK auditors: two days £55.00 GBP PK auditors: three days £70.00 GBP PLEASE SPECIFY WHICH DAYS:

Alternatively, you can send a cheque for the appropriate amount (made out to School of Legerete Ltd, please) to the address below.

School of Légèreté
Holistic Equitation Centre
Grange Farm Stables
Daventry
Northamptonshire
NN11 3TQ

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