Equestrian Schools There Has Long

Equestrian Schools

There has long been a relationship between human beings and horses. For many years equestrian schools have been at the forefront of providing students with the opportunity to learn about the proper care and training of horses. The purpose of this discussion is to investigate Equestrians schools and academies around the world.

In many regions of the world there are equestrian schools that are managed by the state or the military. Some of these schools include Spanish Riding School of Vienna, The Belgium Academy for the art of Riding. The Spanish Riding School of Vienna is one of the best state managed Equestrian schools in the World. It is also among the oldest with more than 400 years of experience (The Training Programme). According to the school's website the program is extremely structured. The students must be at least 15 years of age and have completed all levels of compulsory schooling (The Training Programme). In addition the students must show athletic and creative talent (The Training Programme). The student must also be citizens of a European Union member state (The Training Programme). The website reports that If these requirements are deemed met in the candidate's written application, the applicant is invited to an interview and a riding audition, following which the managing director of the Spanish Riding School and the Senior Riders discuss their initial impressions. If their verdict is positive, the candidate is allowed to begin the 10-year, and very demanding, training programme to become a Rider (The Training Programme)."

There are various levels of students at the school. These levels include eleves, the student riders, the riders and the senior riders. The eleves are responsible for learning theoretical fundamentals of equestrian science and veterinary medicine working in the stables (The Training Programme). They are also responsible for morning exercises and performances in the "Young Stallions" department (The Training Programme). The eleves are also responsible for auxiliary duties and when the eleve is "able to present an already trained school stallion in all of the gaits and dressage movements of the haute ecole, he becomes a Student Rider (The Training Programme)."

The student riders are assigned to young stallions for training. This training encompasses all of the manoeuvres of the haute ecole (The Training Programme). In addition the student rider must demonstrate the ability to partake in the Spanish Riding School's performances (The Training Programme). The student rider and the horse complete training within five years (The Training Programme). Completion of the training qualifies the Student Rider as a fully-fledged Rider at the Spanish Riding School (The Training Programme).

The riders are assigned four to six stallions to train and sharpen in the manoeuvres of the haute ecole; ultimately, the rider and the horse stay together to develop a "life-long team" (The Training Programme). In addition to the aforementioned responsibilities the Riders participate in training the eleves and the Student Riders, by instructing them in the art of classical equitation (The Training Programme).

Finally, the senior riders are at the highest level of equestrians at the school (The Training Programme). The senior riders usually have a high level of expertise and skill in training, instruction, and the presentation horses during performances (The Training Programme). The senior riders are recognized authorities inside and outside the Riding School (The Training Programme).

The Belgium Academy for the art of Riding utilizes the Spanish Riding School as a model. The Belgium academy was created in 1987 and is committed to the systematic search for Beauty and the development of the brio of the horse in its natural gaits through precise and discrete aids, in lightness and without any moral or physical constraints. The purity of the horse's movements is further emphasized by styling the natural gaits through a search for optimal equilibrium in a maximal reassembly and with precise and discrete aids (The Objective)."

Like the Spanish Riding Schools of Vienna it takes are great deal of time to train the horses and the riders. The program is also very structured and places an emphasis on the artistic aspects of riding.

Indeed the Spanish Riding School of Vienna is one of the most prestigious schools in the world but is does have some drawbacks. These drawbacks include the fact that it is only opened to those that are members of the European Union. In addition it is an all male school.

Schools

Equestrian Schools should have their own facilities. In addition the facility must have a good atmosphere with various places to ride the horses.

The instructors should be qualified and there should be adequate lessons & school horses to accommodate all of the students. Equestrian schools must have a solid system to which it abides. It does not have to posses a system invented by the school but can instead utilize another proven system of training and handing horses. In addition the program should be a studious one and not focus on entertainment.

Schools that meet this criterion include Meredith Manor, European Riding Academy, Ecole Nationale d'Euitation (France), Centre Equestre de la Houssaye (France), Warendorf and Kyalami.

The Meredith Manor International Equestrian Centre was founded in 1963 by Ronald W. Meredith who began giving Western Riding lessons to the public (Philosophy and objectives). The school is located in West Virginia and is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training. The programs include riding master programs that last 12 weeks and more comprehensive programs which last 36 weeks (Philosophy and objectives). The school provides a climate of learning in which each student may identify and accomplish his or her own goals within the context of a dynamic academic and pragmatic program,. We are committed to a teaching and learning process that will provide our students with the critical skills by which they may develop and prepare to enter the world of the horse industry (Philosophy and objectives)."

Another school is the Ecole Nationale d'Euitation located in France. The school offers an Equestrian Proficiency Course which was developed in 1970. Riders of all nationalities can participate in the courses. However they must have participated in official competitions held in their countries of origin (Equestrian Proficiency Course). They must also speak English, Spanish or French, The course last for 44 weeks, from the first week of October to the last week of July (Equestrian Proficiency Course). The Equestrian and pedagogic training takes place over 1630 hrs (Equestrian Proficiency Course). The training includes show jumping, dressage, vaulting, driving and hunter (Equestrian Proficiency Course). In addition,

All lessons are taught by the ecuyers of the Cadre Noir, each an expert in his discipline. The horses are provided by the school. Student may bring one or more horses capable of being integrated into the course. Included in the course are various visits, dinners, conferences and competitions organized by the E.N.E. In order to give individual and personal support to each student, only 7 positions are open each year. Selection is based on the candidate's file. Two weeks holiday are programmed during the course (Equestrian Proficiency Course)."

Both of these schools provide good programs for students. The latter has very limited space to accommodate the students in a manner that gives them a great deal of personalized attention. In addition, it allows students from all nationalities to participate in the course that is offered.

Resident Schools

There are also resident schools in regions around the world. A resident program involves a student living at a trainer's facility for an extended period of time. It can be a short-term residency which could last from 1 week to 12 months, or a long-term residency which is over 12 months long. The facility should have a great atmosphere, an adequate number of school horses, good equipment, and well qualified instructors. Students usually stay at the facility. They should have a good system that they adhere to and it is more of an intense program. Some residency programs include McLoughlin Horse Handling School; Reitinstitut Egon Von Niendorf; Michel & Catherine Henriquet; Monty Roberts International Learning Center Instructors Course. In addition. Short-Term schools- E. Von Niendorf; Cedar Mills Classical Riding School; John Lyons

One of the schools that provide both long-term and short-term residency programs is the McLoughlin Horse handling school, founded in 1972. The school was founded in Pennsylvania and now the school is located in Arizona. The school has an eight day program, a 32 day program and a four-year certification program (Resident Program). The eight day program cost $1,650.00 and has three to five students (Resident Program). The cost of the program includes room and board, instruction and horses (Resident Program). The 32 day program cost $6,000.00 includes room and board, instruction and horses (Resident Program). The four-year program is financed through full scholarship which includes room and board, instruction and horses (Resident Program). During the four-year program students learn everything from how to properly groom a horse to specialized work. The schools philosophy is to train and develop an individual trainer/instructor to be one of the most competent and knowledgeable professionals in the business To have a complete understanding of the horse business and history of horse handling, from Xenophon to the beginnings of classical dressagein the 1500's, to Monte Foreman's horse science basics of the present day. The school wants a very high level of consistency in all certified instructors and trainers that will promote the Foreman/McLoughlin system and school indefinitely, for future generations (Four-Year Program)."

The positive aspects of the Mcloughlin school are the ability f students to receive a great deal of one on one training which is made possible because the classes are small (Reitinstitut Egon von Neindorff). The Reitinstitut Egon Von Niendorf school is located in Germany and is the only public riding school in the world with 60 classically trained dressage schoolmasters (Reitinstitut Egon von Neindorff). The article explains

The day begins at 9:00 A.M., and the hour - long lessons continue until twelve hours later. During the three - hour lunch break, the stable doors and gates are closed to visitors. When a student arrives, von Neindorff selects his or her mount. The student grooms and tacks the horse, then joins the class of as few as three or as many as ten -- perhaps with a longer lesson being conducted in the center of the arena as well. The classes are conducted in German, but students can arrange to work with an English - speaking staff instructor with advance notice (Reitinstitut Egon von Neindorff).

One of the most positive aspects of the school is that it allows students that are not citizens of Germany. Unlike other schools this particular school welcomes students from all over the world. The article explains that although many of the students are local, there are also students from Thailand and America.

Another resident program is the Equestrian Academy headed by Monty Roberts is located in California. Unlike other equestrian schools the academy is focused more on the psychological aspects of caring for a horse. According to the website

Monty Roberts Equestrian Academy is unique from other training facilities because the primary focus of our curriculum is on equine psychology and behavior rather than riding skills. Students develop a solid understanding of what motivates and influences equine behavior in order to increase their effectiveness in the application of their choice: virtually any discipline of riding, veterinary assisting, shoeing, racehorse training and so forth (Academy Introduction)."

The Equestrian Academy boasts several programs including lessons and training programs. The school has 2, 3 and 4 day lessons and some longer training programs (Training Programs). The advanced training programs include three weeks at the academy and some field study (Training Programs). The school also offers an instructors internship (Training Programs).

The strength of the Equestrian Academy is that it utilizes the techniques of Monty Roberts to learn how to handle and ride the horses. The practices of Monty Roberts are unique and world renowned. On the downside the school conducts classes over a shorter period of time and charges more money and you have to own a horse to participate in many of the programs that are offered.

Many colleges and university provide students with the opportunity to major in Equine studies. In addition, some colleges allow students to board their own horses on campus or close to the campus and they also have school horses available for riding and training. One such college is Virginia Intermont College (VIC). The VIC

Riding Center is located six miles from the main campus, just off Exit 10 of Interstate 81. A modern-day facility situated on 132 acres of rolling hills and stunning landscapes, the center offers a variety of riding environments, including three arenas and the A.J. Coyle Memorial Cross-Country Course. While students are welcome to bring their own horses when space is available, Virginia Intermont cares for 60 quality school horses for students use. Many of these horses are on loan from well-known barns and stables around the country (Equine Studies)."