Clinic video "an evening with Carl Hester"

[UK.riders]

An evening with Carl Hester

http://www.vimeo.com/882558

[canyonoak]

what a lovely sort of present!

I remain absolutely amazed at Carl Hester's ability to get every horse to work through its body, keep the gaits and stay in balance.

thank you!

[dsgshowmom]

That is a really nice horse. I love the way Carl is training this horse. Good riding too. Thanks for sharing this video.

[Elegante E]

Um, seems he's ok with rollkur light? His round and deep is btv. Not to the chest but still wouldn't be acceptable with any respectable trainer I'd choose to work with.

Hm,m he talks of the horse starting to relax and I see the horse shake his head as he struggles to balance himself. Ugh.

[oldschool]

I watched Carl Hester at my barn from afar last year. I wasn't into dressage yet but I was impressed at how the horses changed during the lesson to such a relaxed, more fluid and happier way of going. He is why I started inquiring about dressage and how it could benefit me and my horse. Since then, I've read a ton and watched alot of Reiner Klimke videos.I guess I'm hooked. All I need now is a trainer like Carl who doesn't rely on mechanical means to their end.

[Equus34]

I just watched one of his video's yesterday and I like him. I liked that he was able to talk and ride without getting out of breath. And he spoke in easy to understand terminology. It drives me nuts when they talk using some of the german terms that I am not familuar with.

I take it from the videos he's over in the UK does anyone know if he ever comes here to the US?

[FleetwoodStarr]

I want to steal the five year old!!

[MyReality]

You see trainer like him, and mine, drives me crazy sometimes. They kept saying things like stretch the neck, soften the neck, i want shorter neck, ride the neck like this, ride the neck like that... as if it is really about riding the neck. There is not an ounce of truth in doing whatever with the neck, except if your horse is naturally balanced and using his back, then riding the neck is like manipulating the amount of connection, and then collection. But for the rest of us, who has horses that have absolutely no talent, isn't inclined to use his back etc, and add a rider, who also has absolutely no talent, trying to learn to sit quietly etc... teaching this average combination to ride the neck is completely misleading, and imo, disastrous.

I get very little out of this, except wow what nice horses he has, and very polised and talented rider as well. I want to get this out of my chest, because there is this trainer who kept telling me to ride the neck this way and that way, and my horse almost fell on the ground literally because he didn't know how to balance himself, with me fussing with his neck... I just don't want anyone to have to go this path.

[oldschool]

I am new to this whole dressage thing but Carl came to my neck of the woods once, and while I didn't have a horse appropriate to justify the price, I watched from afar and whatever the heck he did, the horses were definately more fluid appearing than before. I don't know about the "riding the neck" thing but to my untrained eye, I still know a happy forward horse when I see one!!

[Cooper]

Is there video of the rest of the clinic? I saw DiMaggio and the 6 yo go, but at beginning Carl mentions some upper level horses they would be working with as well. Thanks for posting the link, really enjoyed it!

[FleetwoodStarr]

MyReality- I imagine that Carl has these horse being ridden from the neck because they are already balanced and like you said supertalented. I'm sure if a horse came in that was on the forehand he would have dealt with it differently. In my experience, this is what most symposiums are like, uber-talented horses and trainers that make it look really easy and say things like "play with it" etc. Just because they're on great horses doesn't mean you can't get something out of what someone has to say though.

[OnyxThePony]

Ohhh I lurve me some Carl Hester.
I think he's just great. And rides and trains at a level completely appropriate to the horse, without force and fiddling(which some people here seem to be implying!). I stalk the British horse mags for issues where he's featured. THANK YOU so much for posting that!

[Dorienna]

All I can say about that 5 yo is WOW:eek:

[kansasgal]

I have watched the video several times now, and yes, WHAT a 5yo. At first, in the beginning, when the picture is a little fuzzy, the movement looked so perfect, I was wondering if it was some computer animation and not a real live horse! Most amazing walk I've ever seen.

And I love the advice that Carl gives about preserving those gaits. Just awesome.

I have heard Carl Hester's name mentioned on this forum, but haven't had the chance to read anything by him or watch a video.

I would love to get to audit a clinic with him.

Thanks so much for posting.

[freestyle2music]

I have watched the video several times now, and yes, WHAT a 5yo. At first, in the beginning, when the picture is a little fuzzy, the movement looked so perfect, I was wondering if it was some computer animation and not a real live horse! Most amazing walk I've ever seen.

And I love the advice that Carl gives about preserving those gaits. Just awesome.

I have heard Carl Hester's name mentioned on this forum, but haven't had the chance to read anything by him or watch a video.

I would love to get to audit a clinic with him.

Thanks so much for posting.

You can find information about Carl Hester on his new website :

http://www.carlhester.co.uk/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx

[kansasgal]

You can find information about Carl Hester on his new website :

http://www.carlhester.co.uk/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx

Another name to add to my list of favorites!

[Sacha]

That must be an older video as Dimaggio is 13 now and no longer ridden after injury. He stands at Vorwerk in Germany and has for some time.

[oldschool]

After injury? What the heck? What was the cause? Is it possible that his talent and possibilities led people, and I'm definately NOT accusing Carl,to push him too fast?? Just conjecture with nothing to back up but, Hmmm. Gives one pause to think.My champion quarter horse has NEVER been lame, but then again, I don't compete int'lly and use my horse as a means to big $$ or fame. And now, before I get crucified online, let me reiterate that I don't depend on the generosity of a horses spirit to get me $$. AND I love Carl Hester. His website is great. It's just sad that a horse like that would be retired at the young age of 13. It is like the Olga Korbuts, Nadia Comeci's etc., Brittany Spears, You know, the talented ones that get get used up so soon.

[MyReality]

oldschool, you said what I was afraid to say. I don't want to turn this thread into a 'let's bash talented horses' thread.... to my knowledge, a lot of talented horse do not have to suffer career ending injuries if they are trained and managed differently. This is, however, not limited to dressage.

I know a trainer, whose well bred three year old suffer a career ending injury, from a seemingly innocent accident. The horse crashed into a fence while being turned out. He talked about it like it is bad luck, but to me, this type of things happen to some horses more often than others. We had 3 crazy babies these past years and none of them chose to crash into a fence, and we don't even have wooden fences. If a young horse could be turned out everyday, lots of room, and socialized with the right group, the horse is actually pretty safe... instead you put him in a stall for 23 hours, feed him alfalfa, he is ready to climb the walls.... then you let him out for their 1 hour individual dry lot turnout... what's going to happen, you tell me.

[FleetwoodStarr]

In Carl Hester's book it said that he liked to turn his horses out as much as possible

[oldschool]

That's why I respect Carl Hester. According to his website, He's paid his dues riding this and that. While I hesitate to divert the tenor of this thread, I admit I was abit taken aback that the gorgeous horse in his video was already retired? WTF? Since C.H. was only clinicing, he is of course blameless, but what were the owners thinking? I apologize most sincerely if the lameness was a freak accident, an unforeseeable event, etc., but if it occurred as a result of unbridled[excuse the pu] ambition and future$$signs in someone's eyes, then I say shame on them and the direction this sport is heading. Carl Hester however? I have nothing but awe and admiration for him. Read his books, seen him ride, not a snob, calls a spade a spade yet is also compassionate. Hard to find in modern BNTs.

[fiona]

Just conjecture with nothing to back up but,
oldschool, you said what I was afraid to say. I don't want to turn this thread into a 'let's bash talented horses' thread....
I admit I was abit taken aback that the gorgeous horse in his video was already retired? WTF? Since C.H. was only clinicing, he is of course blameless, but what were the owners thinking?

Well quite clearly you would all win an Olympic medal in conclusion - jumping thereto!!!
The horse did get sick - TRAGICALLY - no it wasn't neglected. Yes the owners were and still are gutted - yes they pursued every possible avenue of treatment and care - no they didn't abuse the horse - no they didn't over train the horse - no it wouldn't have been cured or prevented by turning him out in a field with some buddies or trail riding.

But you all go ahead and make the quantam leap of logic that assumes that a rider and owner would be clever enough to find a horse like this but stupid enough to wilfully trash it, i'll be in the queue buying tickets for your new Olympic event.

[egontoast]

Is it possible that his talent and possibilities led people, and I'm definately NOT accusing Carl,to push him too fast?? Just conjecture with nothing to back up but, Hmmm. Gives one pause to think.My champion quarter horse has NEVER been lame, but then again, I don't compete int'lly and use my horse as a means to big $$ or fame.


Good Grief. Way to start a baseless and ignorant rumour.

Good luck with your QH that is immune to injury and illness.

[oldschool]

Well If you had actually read my post, I was sure to state that I DIDN'T KNOW THE NATURE OF THE INJURY! That's what I was asking, and I made sure to apologize beforehand if I was leaping to a wrong conclusion. I was just curious how such a glorious animal wasn't viable competitively. Don't jump down MY throat. Geez!But everyone knows when anyone, or anyhorse is supertalented, this world has a way of sucking the life out of them prematurely. Think Hollywood, music industry, models, and horses who don't have a choice. I would never impune Carl, I'm a fan of his and I don't know the owners of the horse and that is why I asked the?? I'm not so naive or vicious to think that sh$% doesn'y happen to even the best horse owners, so ONCE MORE, I apologize for even the slightest insinuation.

[snoopy]

That must be an older video as Dimaggio is 13 now and no longer ridden after injury. He stands at Vorwerk in Germany and has for some time.


Yes this "video" and the footage were filmed in 2000.

[katarine]

oldschool, you could have just plain old asked why the horse was retired. Period.

If you had done that, no one would be annoyed with you.

[oldschool]

You're right, my bad. I'm not always clear in what I'm trying to say. You're right and once more I apologize up and down for any inference of abuse or neglect.

[egontoast]

Oh there was more to it than that. Your champeeen QH ain't never lame!

Regular everyday backyard non wb horses go lame every day
but it's not NEWS and published on the net. Gee, I even know a few QHs, for example, who are retired for lameness issues byt their trail ridin owners. Were they pushed by greed and ambition!?

[oldschool]

Are you on glue? Ego?? oh whoops, I'm mean Egon??What are you talking about? Go back to bed, get some sleep, wake up again, get some coffee. Lame 1/4 h's? Huh? I must have missed something here.

[egontoast]

My champion quarter horse has NEVER been lame, but then again, I don't compete int'lly and use my horse as a means to big $$ or fame.

:lol: and your point is?

[oldschool]

At least you're laughing.

[egontoast]

Oh yeah, laughing but how about answering the question? What was your point?

Do you really believe that backyard horses are so free of illness and injury? Have you done a survey?

[oldschool]

I don't know if I should reply yet. Did you have your nap and coffee? Just kidding, but seriously folks, no I haven't done a survey but it is common sense that horse that are super talented run the danger of being used as a vehicle for the advancement of "some" trainers or an investment prospect. To deny this is to stick your head in the sand. And once more, I shall reiterate that I would NEVER impune C.H. or the owners. I asked a simple question. It"s You, Ego, that perceived more than the inital intent.Is there something you need to get off your chest?? Why so touchy? Lighten up dude.:confused:

[katarine]

oldschool, if you're serious in your apology, go edit the offending post and apologize within it for it's insinuations. People are peeved at you b/c here we've got a GOOD guy and you insinuated bad things about why the horse was retired.

You're such a fan of his? Go edit and repent in doing so.

[MyReality]

I am in no mood to bash great riders and great horses. Any speculation on what causes the injury or illness is just a speculation, oldschool already said that up front. There was indeed a discussion on offcourse before, are modern day horses hothouse flowers, something like that. And oldschool is just echoing the sentiments of many voiced there, using this thread.

I do not believe many talented athletes are fairly treated. That's why we had the young horse test discussion. A friend of mine bred a real nice stallion... and trained by an Olympian indeed. They were campaingning him when he was 5. I saw many examples. It's hard not to have an reaction when you learned of such spectacular, well bred horse suffered a career ending injury... and it is not to say, or even hint, all Olympian riders, including Carl, are bad horsemen.

Are the average horse less prone to injury? Yes and no. Obviously there are the clueless, the ignorant and the wannebe's in low places and high places, and anywhere in between. That's another story, another thread.

[oldschool]

Thank you, MyReality, at least YOU got it. Understanding and accepting my SINCEREST APOLOGY for any PERCEIVED insuation that I was in the slightest way accusing ANYONE of ANYTHING!!OMG! Why should I not have the right to ask a simple question?? And YES! I am a fan of Carl's and would NEVER accuse him of not working a horse with only it'sbest interest in mind!!Geez!!Get a grip already! Is it so hard for some of you to even grasp the fact that some horses that show talent gt used up? Did I say CArl did that? NO! Did I say the owners did that? NEVER! I have more sense than that and respect for people. WHy do you think I inserted a pre-emptive apology first for just wondering what happened to such an awesome horse?