The following is a brief synopsis of the exciting three day clinic recently held at Renaissance Farm in Sparks, Maryland, sponsored by the Maryland Dressage Association.  Other sponsors included The Mill of Bel Air and Maryland Feed.  Door prizes were donated by the Mid-Atlantic Lipizzan Association.

 

Thursday morning, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet Harald Bauer of the Spanish Riding School at Baltimore-Washington airport.  This was Harald's first visit to the Maryland area, and, after a fourteen hour flight from Vienna, Austria, I thought he would be exhausted.  Not in the least!  Harald was filled with energy and enthusiasm and raring to go!

 

Each day of the clinic, Harald performed ten rides.  On Saturday and Sunday, there was a lecture, followed by a group discussion at the end of each the day.  The days were unbearably hot, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees each day, but the enthusiasm was high, and every ride was booked, with no cancellations. Each day began at 8:00 AM, and ended around 5:30 PM, with each ride lasting approximately 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the horse.  Auditors arrived early each morning with their pen and paper in hand ready to take notes.

 

The clinic included riders at all levels, from Introductory to Grand Prix.  It didn't matter what level the rider was in, Harald expressed enthusiasm, kindness and great patience with each and every rider.  Each time Harald rode, it was a thrill to watch, and an experience one will never forget.  Every part of his body was in tune with the horse, and the horse responded to him as well. 

 

You could hear Harald's commands: "play with him"; "let him go"; "move the bit"; "keep your hands deep"; or, "keep your hands still"; "put your body back"; "he must go forward", all common issues according to Harald.

 

In one of the articles relating to the clinic, it was stated that "Harold rode every stride from the ground with the rider."  This statement is very accurate, because Harald seemed to anticipate a rider's problem even before it became obvious to the rider.  It was truly fascinating to witness the steady improvement of each horse and rider under Harald’s tutelage.

 

All in all, the clinic was a great means of experiencing classical dressage.  It was also a reminder of the great deal of patience and ease necessary to obtain the “oneness” of rider and horse.  Also, no matter how experienced a rider you may be, there is always room for improvement.

 

Hopefully, Harald will be returning to the Baltimore area in 2007.  If you are interested in attending, or riding, in the 2007 clinic, please contact me, Melanie Adams, at madams8550@aol.com, and I will be more than happy to forward information to you when it becomes available.

 

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