Philippe Karl, a man who deserves to be known… and listened to
Written by Eric Louradour for “Grand Prix” magazine.
This was originally written in French and many folks don’t know how to translate websites, so I’m going to post a Google translation of this article. I believe Eric Louradour deserves the audience with his reflections on M Philippe Karl and his position within the French tradition. Article follows:
In a new column, Éric Louradour, rider, instructor and author of two books, looks back on his recent meeting with Philippe Karl, master of the École de la Légèreté, during a recent course from which he came to the positive conviction that today's riding has every interest in maintaining a link with the great French masters of yesterday.
As I have said before, I only talk about what I know, what I have actually seen with my own eyes or experienced. Otherwise, I am silent, preferring the wisdom of those who are silent and the intelligence of those who speak with doubt or knowledge... This week, I therefore saw, met and discovered Philippe Karl, a great horseman and perhaps the last ambassador of the authentic riding school of the French tradition, based on the writings of the great French masters from the 17th to the 19th centuries. You obviously will not approve 100% of its conclusions and recommendations. However, I think it is beneficial and important to listen to him, to observe him and to open a dialogue, because he has a lot to teach. The man is a good speaker and prepared to defend his ideas and justify his method.
Philippe Karl protests against the excesses of rough, forceful horsemanship, the use of tight nosebands and excessive side or draw reins, the lack of good foundations which cause exasperation for certain horses, the methods that are unnatural and contrary to anatomy, disrespectful and irresponsible, etc. He makes it a point of honor to enforce the doctrine of the great masters, stipulating that the practice of riding is based on the harmonious relationship between man and horse; lightness and the absence of constraints.
In this world, everyone blows their own horn in order to sell themselves as well as possible...with profit as the standard value. The equestrian world is no exception. Thus, the Germans were “smart” enough to improve their breeding, both for dressage and show jumping. They positioned themselves in the International Equestrian Federation as decision-makers and influencers and they sold their method of riding on the pretext that it was the best in the world. Meanwhile, we French, criticize the old-fashioned, or our own Horsemen, even those who have won or worthily represented our nation, reject and forget a knowledge and writings resulting from more than three centuries of research while all the great equestrian nations of yesterday and today use them and often praise their virtues.
France has always been avant-garde in equestrian matters. Many nations came here to study “THE” French method, from the 17th century until the 1970s. The American teams, which revolutionized and modernized horse riding and won everything in the 1970s and 80s, came regularly in Saumur accompanied by their famous team leader, Bertalan de Némethy, to learn, be inspired and copy. Then, little by little, mores and trends began to change. The German method has somewhat imposed itself. Even in Saumur, we began to hold the reins in the German style, crossed, and no longer parallel, in the French way. It seems like a small detail, but it is very significant.
Calm, respect, kindness, patience, and progress
Anyway, congratulations Master Karl! You are not only pure, but perhaps the last heir defender of the classic French riding method. Just like General Pierre Durand, Chief Equerry and Director of the Cadre Noir de Saumur, who like you defended these principles loud and clear. You are, Mr. Karl, not only a great horseman, but also a man of extraordinary elegance, intelligence, equestrian and general culture!
In this world, there are the extremists, the ignorant, the smooth talkers or especially the slanderers… I was told that you were a Baucherist, a disciple of Baucher, pure and immovable! To these I answer today after observing and listening to you teach for a week: no! No, because I heard you mention La Guérinière, General l'Hotte, Raabe, Beudant, Steinbrecht… and Baucher of course, but also many others. You compare and support the thesis of all these masters of horse riding with recent scientific data which makes it possible to see and clearly understand the justifications and benefits of their methods. You take and teach the best of everyone. You make the horses work in all the positions essential to their well-being and for sporting or high school activity: raised neck, very frequent natural neck position and neck extension, neck flexions and poll flexion after release of the jaw, etc. All this without a struggle for power and without falling into exaggeration or exasperation.
In your method, you ensure calm, respect, kindness, patience, progress. It is enough to observe the great number of moments of rest which you impose during the daily work. It's marvelous to watch the horses stand motionless with happy eyes, calm, even after performing complex dressage maneuvers that require a lot of energy. It had also been a long time since I had seen horses walk properly.
Your knowledge and skills are immense! In one week, I was able to observe a man full of common sense who goes in the direction of the horse. I saw a passionate teacher who inspires passion in his students. I have seen horses of all breeds physically or mentally change, become serene and give their best. I loved the sensitivity, subtlety and lightness that emerge from your lessons. You insist on the fixity of the hand which follows the movements of the horse. A hand that moves if necessary and that activates to guide the horse. As I have already said in one of my articles, this is the hardest thing to teach young riders. All of your students had superb hands. Well done Master!
You democratize riding without popularizing it. You teach the right education, the right riding. You have formed your School of Lightness which engages students for a minimum of three years with the same horse. You have understood that we do not train teachers or Horsemen in a short time. Today your school is present all over the world and is very successful as far as Australia, the United States and even Germany. Well-deserved success!
Hats off therefore, Maître Philippe Karl, and to the pleasure that our paths cross again. Continue as long as possible and to the greatest number of people to disclose your knowledge, your passion, your ideology, the true French method of riding, but above all respect for the horse by a thoughtful, gentle, structured and respectful way. Good for you and thank you again.
