I Have It! The "Holy Grail" of Dressage Videos!

[Mike Matson]

Yes, in my trembling hands I have the "Holy Grail" of dressage videos - the victory lap of Reiner Klimke and Ahlerich at the 1984 Olympics doing their 75 one tempi changes. I have viewed it and the quality is good - you can clearly see each tempi change. Now to get it on YouTube for the world to see.

Many thanks to Carol O on this BB for supplying me a copy of the video she took.

[Roan]

Waiting! :winkgrin:

Eileen

[wolfatbay2002]

Just let us know where and when! Waiting on pis and needles.:winkgrin:

[siegi b.]

Mike - I find it very amazing that people think 75 one tempi are a great feat or, in your words, "the holy grail of dressage". You guys who get so upset over RK find absolutely nothing wrong with a horse being made to do 75 one tempi?????

Sorry, but it seems that we're working with some big double standards.

[Roan]

Mike - I find it very amazing that people think 75 one tempi are a great feat or, in your words, "the holy grail of dressage". You guys who get so upset over RK find absolutely nothing wrong with a horse being made to do 75 one tempi?????

Sorry, but it seems that we're working with some big double standards.

*boggle*

What's double standard about a horse that has been trained correctly doing something that it can do without being hurt, and a horse that has not been trained correctly that can't even use its back properly?

Eileen

[siegi b.]

How do you know that 75 of anything won't hurt a "correctly" trained horse anymore than RK will? I don't know where the myth started that Dr. Klimke was the be all and end all of correct dressage training.... let me assure you that his reputation among dressage riders in Germany that knew how he trained was somewhat different.

P.S.: Eileen, I love some of your work!

[Mike Matson]

I'll let the video speak for itself. The CotH readers can render the verdict.

[freestyle2music]

How do you know that 75 of anything won't hurt a "correctly" trained horse anymore than RK will? I don't know where the myth started that Dr. Klimke was the be all and end all of correct dressage training.... let me assure you that his reputation among dressage riders in Germany that knew how he trained was somewhat different.

P.S.: Eileen, I love some of your work!


But that's the overall problem, they read the vintage books, they watch the vintage vids, but they never watched these ODG's train their horses in real life. And to me it's obvious that Mike Matson prefers circus above dressage.
His next post will probably be about the complete GP test that Sven Rothenberger did some years ago, riding the whole test with the reins in one hand. And did I tell you that Sven's horse was trained by Sjef Janssen.:cool:

[vestito]

Now how would you know MM prefers circus to dressage? I clearly remember the thread in which there was a huge discussion about an elephant at Ringling that wasn't quite "through "
Seriously what is wrong with you people ? starting another RK discussion? This is about a video with 75 tempis, not about the training method.
I would love to see it

[freestyle2music]

Now how would you know MM prefers circus to dressage? I clearly remember the thread in which there was a huge discussion about an elephant at Ringling that wasn't quite "through "
Seriously what is wrong with you people ? starting another RK discussion? This is about a video with 75 tempis, not about the training method.
I would love to see it

Because I can read ;)

And because I agree with Siegi B. that 75 tempi-changes has nothing to do with dressage. But I don't want to spoil your circus :no: so enjoy.

[Dressage Art]

I'm a big fan of Klimke and have his books and videos etc. But a "Holy Grail" might be a little too much. To be fair, I'd like to remind that as previous video that Mike posted clearly shows the lateral tendency in the collected walk during Klimke's Olympic test. Some classical masters would argue that lateral walk is the sign of tension and faltered training somewhere in the program and usually scored "4" or lower with out a bias ;)

[fiona]

So by definition and my powerful sense of indisputable logic ... IF 75 one tempis are really not all that and totally non holy grail and i can't do a single change surely it follows that i am, like way better than Klimke?

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:Yay me!!!!:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek :


I'm better than klimke, I'm better than Klimke, I'm better than klimke!!!!

[Mike Matson]

Just to clarify, by "Holy Grail" I mean a video of something that many people have heard and talked about but very few have seen. This is the first copy of the video of the tempi changes I have ever run across in all my years of searching.

[class]

how are 75 tempis harder on a trained horse than 75 canter strides?

[whitewolfe001]

how are 75 tempis harder on a trained horse than 75 canter strides?

I agree with that.

Reiner's horses all did the most amazing & relaxed one tempis. Some GP horses manage one tempis but not without looking as though they are seriously struggling, the rider is throwing himself all over the place to achieve them, they are swinging side to side...

Reiner's horse is not under stress, he is not tense, he is not struggling. He is freely using his whole body, his back, his neck is free. The horse is so incredibly straight there is no twisting or torsion. Because the horse is trained so correctly, it's a walk in the park for him. It's beautiful.

[freestyle2music]

I agree with that.

Reiner's horses all did the most amazing & relaxed one tempis. Some GP horses manage one tempis but not without looking as though they are seriously struggling, the rider is throwing himself all over the place to achieve them, they are swinging side to side...

Reiner's horse is not under stress, he is not tense, he is not struggling. He is freely using his whole body, his back, his neck is free. The horse is so incredibly straight there is no twisting or torsion. Because the horse is trained so correctly, it's a walk in the park for him. It's beautiful.

Funny that you mention this, because Reiner once stated in an interview that his son Michael was the first of the family who didn't have problems with the flying changes. And Biotops flying changes were a complete disaster in the beginning.

[canyonoak]

well, I was there for the amazing victory celebration and I also have it on video..which I havent watched all that recently but which I can see again just by closing my eyes.

Ali's canter work was just wonderful--in the test and in the celebration part. I dont think Dr. Klimke planned any of it. He was sooooooo happy (understatement) to finally win the individual gold..he really did 'dance' out there, making it up as he went along.

It was a defining moment for the rider, the horse, and the sport.

If he had planned a whole bunch of one-tempis, a la Baucher demonstration, then it might have been a bit much. But this was just Dr. Klimke in one of his finest moments ever, on a horse that at that moment he truly adored.

Every one in the stands and watching realized we had experienced catharsis--everyone was changed by this celebration.

It is just so rare to have this kind of feeling during competition; it's more common while schooling, as that is so much more spontaneous.

OTOH, MM, calling it the 'Grail' might be just a bit over the top. LOL.

I still think my favorite part was the very end, when Dr. K decided to leave in high-octane extended trot, still one-handed, regally waving his hat at the crowd--but Ali had different ideas.
Pointed toward the tunnel--and out of the arena-- Ali's trot turned from merely spectacular to hat back on head, BOTH hands gripping the reins, and sparks beneath the horseshoes as he hit the ramp going down, full throttle.
It is a testimony to Dr. K's cojones ,core strength and general stubborness that he managed to keep Ali in trot.
of course, I think he realized that he simply could NOT afford to allow Ali to break from the trot, the consequences would have been devastating.

[Coreene]

One of those total verklempt moments. :sadsmile:

[Dressage Art]

I think he realized that he simply could NOT afford to allow Ali to break from the trot, the consequences would have been devastating.like ended up screaming "help?"

[Mike Matson]

canyonoak,

Your post sums up exactly what is on the video. :) I would not be surprised if it becomes one of those YouTube "viral" videos for dressage.

[canticle]

Here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4tiMDe19T0

What a beautiful video. It is sad that some would choose to complain. :no:

[canyonoak]

Another story from 1984 Olympics:

I used to get up really early so as to watch as much of the riders schooling as possible.

So Im in one of the towers around the racetrack (Santa Anita) and I see this big man on a dark horse in one of the rings below. He is doing half-pass, starting very forward,long diagonal, and starting to make the angle sharper and more sideways...then he takes the sideways engagement and switches to passage work, then some pi-pa..He walks a moment, picks up the trot, and starts passage and just as he hits X, the sun breaks through and shines down on horse and rider,and he performs one of the most thrilling piaffes I have ever seen.

Alone in the tower, I clap and say, "If that were me, Id get off and kiss that horse."

ANd the guy suddenly gets off and kisses the horse on the nose!
A smaller man,standing on the side for the last part of the work, walks towards them and gives the horse some sugar.

The horse was Limandus, the bronze medalist, rider Otto Hofer and the smaller man Georg Wahl.

[Sabine]

Another story from 1984 Olympics:

I used to get up really early so as to watch as much of the riders schooling as possible.

So Im in one of the towers around the racetrack (Santa Anita) and I see this big man on a dark horse in one of the rings below. He is doing half-pass, starting very forward,long diagonal, and starting to make the angle sharper and more sideways...then he takes the sideways engagement and switches to passage work, then some pi-pa..He walks a moment, picks up the trot, and starts passage and just as he hits X, the sun breaks through and shines down on horse and rider,and he performs one of the most thrilling piaffes I have ever seen.

Alone in the tower, I clap and say, "If that were me, Id get off and kiss that horse."

ANd the guy suddenly gets off and kisses the horse on the nose!
A smaller man,standing on the side for the last part of the work, walks towards them and gives the horse some sugar.

The horse was Limandus, the bronze medalist, rider Otto Hofer and the smaller man Georg Wahl.

That's it in a nutshell- you summed it up- noone can say it better- and if you don't understand it- go play tennis or do a nice needlepoint...;)!

lov ya- Oakie!! you should write a little booklet on 'inspiring dressage moments' for those of us who need a little 'lift' once in a while!!

[Kaeleer]

Oh FFS! The man had just won gold! Many athletes have done things, during that moment, which armchair critics have gone on to say was just "so wrong".

Did you all miss the part where the video is about him WINNING GOLD AT THE OLYMPICS! What? You expected him to behave as if he was winning third place at a schooling show?

Mike, good on you for finding that video, I'd very much like to see it. T

*ETA* I just watched that video. Absolutely breathtaking. Thank you, Mike.

CanyonOak, loved your last post, thank so much for sharing. Many of us in the ameteur ranks form the perception that the pros have a different view of their horses. Many times, that is true. These 'human' moments are especially touching as a result.

[Moogles]

How do you know that 75 of anything won't hurt a "correctly" trained horse anymore than RK will? I don't know where the myth started that Dr. Klimke was the be all and end all of correct dressage training.... let me assure you that his reputation among dressage riders in Germany that knew how he trained was somewhat different.

P.S.: Eileen, I love some of your work!

Not to stir the pot or anything (pure curiosity). What is Klimke's reputation in Germany? I only say this because he quite respected in N.A. Honestly, Siegi you know and have more experience than me so I am not trying to argue. I do have one of his books and did enjoy it. Thanks for your insight.

[belambi]

In my humble opinion, Its the spontaneity that makes this.Its a celebration of winning, and yes..it is circusy and yes it does engage the crowd..so..it proves that deep down Klimke was actually human.

On a different note..are one time changes actaually a gait in itself?..since a canter stride is never completed?

[slc2]

The whole point of the one time changes is that each stride is a complete pure canter stride. The stride is completed. Slow down a video and count the 3 beats of the canter if you doubt it.

And anyone who thinks because a movement is done smoothly and correctly, that that means it is no strain on the horse to do it 75 times needs to learn a little more about exercise and physiology and ride and train more.

The extended trot leaving the arena onto the hard footing was especially bad for the horse. At that point the horse was completely out of control and was just running for the barn. Ahlerich did that no less frequently than Salinero.

Of course one time changes are more strain on a horse than canterring on one lead. And to do them 75 times in a row works the same muscles in the same way 75 times. Anyone who does not think so needs to ride more.

Of course it was playing to the crowd. Klimke didn't take dozens of horses to that level soley as an intellectual pursuit. He wasn't any less interested in winning than today's riders. All of the competitive riders ride their horses hard and however they train the horses, it's demanding on man and beast. I'm in awe of what they do too and of the determinatiaon and perserverence and quality of work and training but come on.

To hold him up as an amateur is ridiculous. He made an immense amount of money training, selling and giving clinics and did for years before Americans even knew who he was.

I've learned one thing here, we see what we want to see.

[PaddyUK]

Didn't MM already link to the Youtube video of RK at the 1984 Olympics last month - including the victory lap.

http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=162486

Or is it the fact that MM now has his own personal copy of said test and lap in his mits?

Paddy

[Mike Matson]

The Klimke/Ahlerich victory lap I previously posted on YouTube does not show all of the tempi changes. The one I now have does. I hope to have it posted this weekend (I'm out of town right now).

[class]

Of course one time changes are more strain on a horse than canterring on one lead.


you restated it as a fact, but you didn't answer my question.

[egontoast]

And anyone who thinks because a movement is done smoothly and correctly, that that means it is no strain on the horse to do it 75 times needs to learn a little more about exercise and physiology and ride and train more.



So according to you, slc, Klimke needed to ride and train more?:no:

[partlycloudy]

Perhaps if Mr Kimke had close to 20,000 posts on the internet, he too would know it was ruining his horse :mad:

Honestly.... there are no words

[Roan]

. . .
Of course it was playing to the crowd. Klimke didn't take dozens of horses to that level soley as an intellectual pursuit. He wasn't any less interested in winning than today's riders. All of the competitive riders ride their horses hard and however they train the horses, it's demanding on man and beast. I'm in awe of what they do too and of the determinatiaon and perserverence and quality of work and training but come on.. . .

So, are you channeling Klimke from beyond now?

If not, then would you please cite *sources* where Klimke said or indicated any of the above?

Or is this just your own personal opinion? If it is, please just say so.

First Anky and Sjef, and now Klimke. Cripes, déjà vu!

Eileen

[TraksRuleDutchDrool]

Thank you for posting this! This is definitely a chapter in the Holy Grail

I don't know how anyone can critcize that man or that ride :no:

[whitewolfe001]

I've learned one thing here, we see what we want to see.

Well, I certainly agree with that.

As far as the Reiner "gold standard" or Klimke's 'reputation' in his home country re: training methods, I absolutely cannot comment on anything except what I have seen on video, of him competing, giving clinics, and schooling. Everything I have seen appears nothing less than harmonious, sympathetic, kind and thoughtful training. Was he doing something "behind the scenes" that people frowned upon, like the top rider I won't name?

[slc2]

I'm not criticizing Klimke, I'm just hoping that some day people can stop regarding one elite rider as the devil and another as a God. I far prefer Klimke's results, but I still am not going to pretend that he's not a human being.

Every top rider - every single one, has had problems, embarrassing moments, failures, times when they lost their temper, horses they could not work with etc. Every elite rider has at some time gotten criticized for something fairly shocking, and every one of them has looked rather bad at one time or another. Every one of them probably has more enemies than fans.

You guys adore Klimke because that's what the media has fed you for years. Not everyone was fed the same media.

Besides, I don't think it's really 'Klimke was great', it's 'We hate Anky'. There is a difference.

He was a human being, and he was surrounded by contemporaries who got very similar results to his and used very similar methods, and often finished ahead of him.

You watch anyone through 15-25 yrs of public life and at some time or another they are going to do something you don't like. To expect otherwise is unrealistic.

Klimke was human, he had his failures. He got drunk and stayed out late before one big show and blew it, he had horses fall on him in the warmup, run out of the ring....no, you don't want to hear it, because you want to pretend that only happens to Anky because she's the rollkur demonesse.

There were horses he didn't get along with, there were times when he did things that were criticized even by his own mentors.

There was one horse, Entertainer, that made a real monkey out of Klimke in the dressage gossip world. Whatever actually happened, what was said was that he couldn't get on with the horse, struggled and fought with the horse, blew up and lost his temper, and finally gave him to his son Michael who was able to get the horse to perform somewhat better. Everyone has a different version of what really happened. I don't think anyone other than those close to him will really know for sure.

Pascal, his horse that he won a great deal with, was actually a horrible spook and not always 100% reliable in competition. He also had some very well known difficulties with both Ahlerich and Biotop.

It is never, ever easy for anyone. Most people posting here just weren't interested in dressage 30 or 40 years ago before Klimke became a hero and was deified to many Americans. Klimke was in eventing before dressage and his early years in dressage with Mehmed and other horses wasn't all beer and skittles, it took him many, many years to get to the point you saw on Ahlerich.

I think the one thing that was really unusual about Klimke was that he stayed in it and stayed healthy for a very, very long time, so he had a chance to develop more and gain more experience.

He actually outlasted about 3 different generations of top dressage riders. I think it requires a very, very thick skin and a very tireless personality to do what he did. And I think he wore himself and his heart out and still didn't want to slow down and take it easy.

I seriously doubt Theo will come out and say plainly what he's referring to, about Klimke's 'methods' that were so 'notorious'. I don't really think his methods were that much different from anyone else's. He just rode very well.

Besides, what Klimke taught was a very, very traditional, established method that basically everyone else who was educated and well trained, was following and recognized as 'dressage training'. He had many contemporaries who all got similar results and used similar methods and on any given day could beat him with just as fluid a performance as you see in that video up there.

class, it is harder for horses to do 75 one time changes than canter 75 strides the same lead. i doubt that is just an 'opinion', and I think if one measured the kcal consumed, it would be very obvious that cantering 75 strides is easier than doing 75 1x changes.

one is 5x the work required in one of the most demanding parts of a GP test, the other (75 steps collected canter) is a fraction of 2nd level canter work. 5 X that GP section is harder than a fraction 2nd level canter work.

As far as the rest, Roan, i don't see you meticulously labeling all your statements as 'opinions', so I'm not going to do it either.

No one here is going to agree with what statements are opinions and which are facts, anyway.

What they want to hear is a 'fact', what they don't want to hear is 'just an opinion'.

[class]

it takes more coordination for me to skip on alternating legs, but it certainly doesn't take any more muscle than if i skipped with one leg always leading.

the reason the one tempis aren't until gp is because it takes so long for the rider to get the coordination of aids figured out to that level of intricacy, not because it is so hard for the horse to flip a change.

[Roan]

. . .As far as the rest, Roan, i don't see you meticulously labeling all your statements as 'opinions', so I'm not going to do it either.

Actually, I do and if I haven't, find it. I will either qualify it as an opinion or back it up with facts. I don't see why you or anyone else can't do the same.

No one here is going to agree with what statements are opinions and which are facts, anyway.

What they want to hear is a 'fact', what they don't want to hear is 'just an opinion'.Why wouldn't people would want to hear facts that are backed up with sources, don't you? Anything otherwise is just opinion and conjecture. As an example, your comments about Klimke getting drunk et al could be construed as libel unless you back those up with reliable sources.

You really should CYA, slc

Eileen

[Carol O]

It is sad that a few moments of a great ride can become divisive. Or rather, that a few moments of a great ride can bring out the divisivness in some.....

[slc2]

Bull, Roan, bull. He wrote it himself in his own book. He mentioned it many times over the years and at various times and joked about it very freely and openly. Where do you think i heard about it? He wrote about it and talked about it rather frequently in public.

He was one of the most wonderful to watch at work and had the most ingenious horse-smart ways of dealing with problems with an economy and logic few lesser experienced trainers could match.

But he was HUMAN. And quite frankly, a LOT of people didn't like him in America before the 90's when he started endorsing products for Miller's and got so popular in the USA. Before then he was not at all 'recognizable' or well known outside of the small international dressage community in the USA.

I was shocked to hear another rider complaining very, very publicly about him bluntly telling her her horse was not internationall quality at a coaching session in the mid 80's. In fact, she wrote a very, very critical and very very onesided article in an american magazine about him.

Some years ago, the reaction of alot of the established dressage people in the USA, to having european trainers brought over here to evaluate, select or teach them (and then having to compete for customers with these trainers), it was pretty damned ugly. They were not exactly welcomed by all and there was a lot of bad talk about a lot of them, including him (yes I got sick of hearing it).

klimke could, in fact be quite blunt and I also saw him walk out of a clinic session once when a rider refused to raise her stirrups one hole. BYE, we're done. He walked out. Can't say I blame him.

It seems you want to see him as some sort of God, the man himself didn't even want to be seen that way and he made that abundantly clear during his lifetime.

Actually he seemed rather modest and self-effacing pubicly and also VERY often made light of things that others take far, far too seriously.

I don't think anyone should pretend he wasn't a tough guy, though, with very demanding standards. You can see videos of him coaching a little 8 yr old girl on a pony at a clinic in a whisper, or yelling at Mary Flood at St Georges, 'Why didn't you do it the first time I told you????' He was actually a human being and behaved like one. Finally after the 2nd level group got a figure wrong time after time (half circle, NOT a half circle and return to the track!!!!) he started joking about if they got it wrong one more time, they were going to have to pay for his drinks at dinner.

I really, really find this tendency to go totally gah gah over someone in the public eye so much so that they aren't even a human being any more, to be really, really disturbing. It's kind of wierd, people either adore a figure and they can do no wrong, or they are the devil.

[egontoast]

It's kind of wierd, people either adore a figure and they can do no wrong, or they are the devil.

That ain't all that's weird.

[slc2]

true. what you do is pretty wierd too.;)

[cinder88]

I really, really find this tendency to go totally gah gah over someone in the public eye so much so that they aren't even a human being any more, to be really, really disturbing.

Where di danyone go gah gah?

People said they enjoyed his performance and enjoyed watching him celebrate his Olympic win and were impressed with his and his horses abilities. That's hardly going gah gah.

I think there's only one person showing evidence of that here.

Cinder

[Kaeleer]

Jeez, slick, this rant is a bit rabid even by your exacting standards!

Nobody here is comparing Klimke to Anky except you! (You might want to google 'straw man arguments' at some point).

Nobody here is going gaga over the man except you!

I admire the way he rides and I admire the methods HE advocates for training horses and I am human enough to get caught up in the euphoria of that one moment in time.

It's as simple as that. Why the hell are you making such a song and dance about it? Is it THAT important to you that people admire him LESS?

[slc2]

That isn't the goal or the point of what I wrote at all, it was rather the opposite, actually. I have no interest in anyone liking him less. I admired him immensely myself.

My point was that the highly emotional either positive or negative and very personal judgements about riders are based on very, very slim impressions from the media and from brief glimpses at them, whether the reaction is positive or not.

Further, I don't think anyone knows these riders personally, their motivations, their characters, how they feel about their horses, other than their families and closest friends. Certainly people don't know enough about these figures to feel so polarized about them, either positive or negative about them.

And no, it's not a straw man argument, the comment is made constantly here that he was great and his horses were perfect and the majority of today's riders incl anky suck and let's look at some REAL riding for a change, yadda yadda yadda. I've read that enough here.

As far as being rabidly excited about it, I was waiting for the socks to be done in the dryer, and wasn't excited at all.:lol:

My view is that Klimke trained a lot of horses to GP, and he was very good at it, and he beat just about everyone at one time or another, he was very traditional trainer and got very admirable results, and he outlasted just about everyone. A remarkable person.

[Kaeleer]

But, Slc....nobody said those things! This thread was never about Anky, or about who or what Klimke was.

It's an Olympic moment. Can it not be enjoyed for what it was?

Edited to remove potentially offensive expletive.

[CatOnLap]

It is a testimony to Dr. K's cojones ,core strength and general stubborness that he managed to keep Ali in trot.
Totally. They were both having the time of their lives.
I've seen that video many times over the years and it never fails to give me that tingly feeling. The man sat a horse like no one else, his cues are so subtle, the horse is relaxed (his tail, ears and general demeanor tell the tale) and rhythmic. Obviously for THAT horse at THAT moment, it was not an effort to do 75 one tempis, passage and extended trot for THAT 3 1/2 minutes.

This thread should celebrate one of the great moments in the art and joy of dressage, not fight about tales told behind the barn and retold through memory's lens- we all know how lies grow.

Mike I am REALLY looking forward to a video of that which is better quality than the one currently up on youtube. I've seen better examples of the ride on broadcast TV in the past.

[BahamaMama]

This looks like the introduction of the Harry Potter books. People already are gathering on the doorsteps of Mike Matson :D

How low can you go :confused:

[claire]

Thanks Mike for taking the time and trouble to put this up on YouTube!

Looking forward to enjoying this piece of Dressage history! :D


And for those who don't care for Klimke...why get yourselves in such a twirl?

Just don't open the Klimke threads and don't watch the video.

Very easy solution...unless pot-stirring is your intention! :rolleyes:

This looks like the introduction of the Harry Potter books. People already are gathering on the doorsteps of Mike Matson :D

How low can you go :confused:

[Sannois]

coolest things I have seen. It is a harmonius ride, horse and rider look "Happy"
Why cant folks just enjoy it. Thanks Mike! CAnt wait to see it!
Its something thats pleasing to the eye of a horse person, It needs no critique or comment, Just enjoy! ;):yes::D

[ridgeback]

Here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4tiMDe19T0

What a beautiful video. It is sad that some would choose to complain. :no:

Wow that was great to watch thanks for posting, it was so effortless...:yes::yes: Thanks Mike looking forward to your video.

[Home Again Farm]

Canyonoak,

Thank you for those memories. I saw bits and pieces of those Olympics and was struck by how relaxed and happy Ali was. I was on route to Michigan with horses with friends to go to "dressage boot camp" and to try to learn some basic basics. I'll never forget seeing such a fantastic horseman with such a fantastic horse. I'd have given my right arm to see the man kiss the horse on the nose. Magic moment!

[grayarabpony]

like ended up screaming "help?"

Sorry, but

:lol::lol::lol:

[grayarabpony]

Mike, thanks for posting the video. Ahlerich looked gorgeous, relaxed, and I am delighted to see that he was half TB. :cool:

[Dressage Art]

like ended up screaming "help?"

Sorry, but

:lol::lol::lol: I think you are the only one who got my joke ;)