Classical riding clinics with Craig Stevens

With more than 40 years of experience in horsemanship, very few pretensions and an unending curiosity about life, riding, and the world at large, Craig Stevens is a unique presence in the field of classical equitation. As director of the National School of Academic Equitation in Seattle, USA, Craig firmly believes that there are no "throw-away" horses or people and works with all levels of riders and horses of any breed and background. Over the years he has trained many horses through and beyond Grand Prix level in dressage and to advanced levels in eventing. Craig's students and the horses he's trained routinely place in regional and national championships both in Europe and in the Americas. Not surprisingly, he is in high demand as a clinician all over the world.

Trained in the French classical school of equitation, Craig studied with such master horsemen as Joao Oliveira of Portugal, the French masters Michel Henriquet and Francois Lemaire de Ruffieu, members of the Cadre Noir and Katherine Durand.

In his younger days, Craig performed touring exhibitions of High School dressage, including the airs above the ground and movements of fantasy equitation. He now specialises in showing riders of all levels how they can achieve confidence and brilliance in the saddle or on the ground while making the work genuinely fun for their horses too.

Craig's secret, though he would be the first to deny that anything he does involves secrets, is his ability to teach the physical tact and understanding of the old French masters to modern-day amateur and professional riders. The result is a way of riding and training horses which requires absolutely no muscular force in the aids, is almost unbelievably straightforward and yet highly effective in helping even the most "difficult" of horses become calmer, safer and a pleasure to ride.

Are these clinics for you?

Like most things in the equestrian world, these clinics probably aren't going to appeal to everyone. Perhaps because Craig is not afraid to say exactly what he thinks, or perhaps because his preferred way of working and riding horses is rather different from modern mainstream views, he is not without some critics. On the other hand, Phillipe Karl, the respected trainer, author and former Ecuyer of the french Cadre Noir said recently: “Modern competitive dressage has a major influence on equestrian teaching. Although many turn away from it, there are very few with enough equestrian culture, passion and courage to swim against the tide and propose alternatives that are worthy of interest. Craig Stevens is one such person.”

Craig's clinics are unlikely to be of interest to you if...

• you are more concerned with your horse’s external appearance than what is really going on in his or her mind and body
• you are happy to have your horse ignore you and/or your aids
• you believe that employing gadgets, increasing physical force or buying a different horse are the best ways to make progress

Craig's clinics will be of interest to you if...

• you have a “problem” or “difficult” horse and are willing to change in order to find a solution
• you want to improve your confidence, balance and skill in the saddle
• you care about what your horse thinks of your riding and would like to learn how to have a two-way conversation via the reins and aids
• you want to move beyond the lower levels of dressage to lateral work, piaffe, passage, pirouettes and flying changes - all ridden by "the weight of the reins and the draft of the boot"
• you want to learn what your legs, seat and hands really do and how and when and why(!) to ride via any one of these or a combination
• you have problems getting your horse to accept the bit or to go forward
• you are new to riding and want to develop high levels of skill, tact and confidence
• you are willing to critically examine and possibly change your own methods of riding, attitudes and beliefs

Clinic format - what to expect

Clinics are held in our covered school near Stow-on-the-Wold in the Cotswolds. The atmosphere is very open and friendly and questions are encouraged. Each day consists of a maximum of 12 individual lessons of 45 minutes duration. At the end of each lesson there is a 5 minute period allocated for questions from the rider or spectators. On any given day Craig works with a wide variety of participants, from complete beginners to advanced horses and riders.

There is a ten minute break for tea/coffee each morning and afternoon and a one hour break for lunch. Hot, 2-course, home-cooked lunches are available at £5 per person per day, enabling everyone to sit together around the table and continue the conversations.

UK schedule

2008 clinics

• February 21 - 24
• April 12 - 15
• May 31 - June 3
• August 9 - 12
• October 27 - 29 (Advanced Course)
• October 30 - November 2

To join our mailing list and receive advance notice and reminders of future clinics and events, send a blank email to riding-clinics@aweber.com

Theory lecture

As an integral part of each clinic, Craig presents a fascinating lecture explaining the historical development and the essential theory of riding. Soon to be re-released on DVD, the lecture is divided into two parts. Firstly, Craig explains the development of riding and teaching methods - from Xenophon, through the Renaissance, the critical period of the French Revolution, right up to the modern day. From this background, he then discusses why it is that many people's modern day experience of riding is so frustrating and outlines the methods he uses during the clinics to unravel the mysteries and make it possible for virtually anyone to learn to ride to an extremely high level on any sound horse.

Please note that attendance at the theory lecture is compulsory for all new students (both riders and spectators) as part of your first clinic. After that, attendance is purely optional, but most students keep coming back again and again - perhaps the best testimony to the wealth of valuable information it contains.

Accommodation for horses and humans

There is a good variety of local hotels and B&B in and around Stow and we have plenty of turnout available for horses. Please ask for more details when making your booking.

Fees

Riding places on the clinics can be booked in blocks of two days at £170. This includes two individual lessons (one each day), tea or coffee and biscuits at break times and entry to the theory lecture on the evening preceeding the first day of the clinic. Places are filled on a first come-first served basis and multi-place bookings are accepted. Please note that clinics do tend to sell out in advance so please call or email now to secure your place.

Spectators/auditors are also most welcome. The fees for spectating are £25 for one day, £45 for two, £65 for three or £85 for four days. This also includes tea or coffee and biscuits at break times plus entry to the theory lecture.

Book now!

To book your place, or for further information please email derek@performancehooves.co.uk

or call Derek Clark directly on 01451 830030 or 07803 196266

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