Philippe Karl's School of Légèreté will definitely start in 2011

Philippe Karl, classical rider, trainer and author of ’The Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage’, is one of the most highly respected guardians of lightness in the modern equestrian world. For 13 years an elite Ecuyer of the prestigious French classical school Le Cadre Noir de Saumur, he has dedicated his life to working with horses. During his time at Saumur, Philippe created two historical shows that included presentations on long reins in both jumping and high school and was part of the gala shows of the Cadre Noir touring in France and Europe until he left in 1998 to give his own clinics around the world. In 2004, Philippe founded ’L’école de Légèreté’ (The School of Lightness) in order to pass on his philosophy to committed and qualified riding teachers.

A new School of Légèreté teachers’ course based here with us at The Holistic Equitation Centre will start in 2011.

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. Rider students will attend each clinic with their own horses and be taught directly by Monsieur Karl.

Riders must commit themselves for the whole programme (three clinics per year over three years) and Philippe strongly recommends that each rider works continuously with one of their horses over the whole duration of the course, in order to judge their progress in the best possible way.

Auditors who would like to follow the intensive three-year teachers' course from the basics all the way to the High School must also commit themselves for the whole three years.

Please email us to register your interest in following the teachers' course as an auditor.

Programme

Lessons will be given in English

• Individual dressage training
• Work in-hand, on the lunge and on long reins
• Jumping
• Quadrille
• Theory
• Teacher training
• Final Exam

Final exam

Students will be judged on their theoretical knowledge, the training level reached by their horses and their teaching competence.

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, unauthorised use, no one may reference the School of Légèreté or the lessons of Philippe Karl without having received the corresponding certificate.

Please note that the certificate may be withdrawn on grounds of violations of the ethical principles of the School of Légèreté

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

Rider applications for the course starting in 2011 are now closed

The names of the selected riders will be published both here and on Philippe Karl’s website.

Advanced training courses

Licensed instructors of the School of Légèreté can improve their knowledge beyond the basic training by participating in advanced training courses. These courses are currently held in mainland Europe and take place as three-day clinics, three times a year. We envisage holding these clinics in the UK from 2013.

While auditors on the three-year teachers' course have to commit themselves for the whole three years, just like the riders, advanced training courses for licensed instructors are open to auditors at any time.

Clinic fees

Riders and auditors must commit themselves for the whole duration of the course (three years, 10 clinics).

Riders: € 600 per 4-day clinic

Listeners: € 250 per 4-day clinic

NB: This is Philippe Karl’s fee for teaching and does not include accommodation for horses or riders. Please contact us for further details

The selected riders and all auditors pay a deposit (Riders: € 600, Listeners: € 250) on registering for the course. After that, each clinic fee is charged on a ’pay as you go’ basis. The deposit will be held until the end of the three year course and used to pay for the final clinic. Please contact us for further details

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