The Classical Seat series has helped many riders of all disciplines to work towards their goals, knowing that everything is possible with the correct approach and understanding of the classical principles. The clever layout of this DVD with its many menus makes it easy for you to choose all the various movements and exercise which will provide you with the tools for the athletic development of a happier horse, whatever his breed, shape, age and size.

In this DVD Sylvia Loch follows the natural order of progression for both Horse and Rider. Starting with the basic knowledge required to sit and to apply the aids correctly, these 3 separate films progress the viewer ever upward, showing the rider how to school the newly broken horse from start to advanced dressage.

It is a joy to watch top international dressage trainer Sylvia Loch at work with her pupils and horses as she gives both encouragement and clear explanations. You will see that no one is put under pressure, the work and condition of the horse – particularly his biomechanical and mental welfare – is given the due reverence deserved!

Classical Seat I - A Guide for the Everyday rider much attention is paid to the horse’s back, his centre of gravity and how important it is that the rider learns only to sit over the strongest part, whether in the light forward seat or the classical dressage seat. Saddles are discussed as well as deep work, lengthening the horse through the neck and understanding where and where not to apply the leg aids. By watching novice to more experienced pupils learning from schoolmaster horses as well as young horses, we can see how the rider can be helped by the horse before she attempts to train her own horse.

Classical Seat II – Advancing the Novice Horse and Rider further work on schoolmasters clearly illustrate the concept of lightness, engagement and how to rebalance the horse over his hocks. Exercises leading towards these goals are then employed. You will learn how to ride a correct circle (something rarely understood), correct corners, turning the horse away from the track so that he uses his hocks to make a straight depart, good serpentines and so on. An introduction to the lateral exercises is made, starting shoulder-in and travers is shown with the novice horse. This is an excellent film for bringing the young horse into a state of good balance and roundness.

Classical Seat III – Advancing the Elementary Horse and Rider watch stunning filming of work to confirm the shoulder-in, travers, lateral exercises on the circle, i.e. quarters-in and quarters-out, as well as balanced turns on the hocks leading towards the Half Pass, Counter Canter and Collection. Medium trot and lengthening the canter is discussed as well as Reinback to Canter and preparation for Piaffe. This last film builds and consolidates all the work to date, many of the same horses and riders are shown and the viewer can see how all have improved from the earliest days of filming.

Trainer: Sylvia Loch

Added to Collection: 06/21/2009
Run time: 180 mins

Genres: Dressage, Rider Skills