CRC - Sensitive Schooling – Volume 3 – Collection Confirmed DVD Sylvia Loch

Sensitive Schooling – Volume 3 – Collection Confirmed DVD, Sylvia Loch,

Available from www.classicalseat.co.uk

DVD Synopsis

Sensitive Schooling Volume I has been one of the most successful horse training DVDs ever to be made.

Unique in its live-to-camera approach, Sylvia Loch rides, schools and teaches the novice horse all at the same time. Using the same techniques, Volumes II and III, Collection Explored and Collection Confirmed show the older horse working through a wealth of dressage movements and how to achieve them. Filmed over 3 years, we move from simple changes and lateral work to flying changes, piaffe, passage and even Spanish Walk. Intensive explanation is given to the aids, feel and how to combat the inevitable problems that we will meet on the way. A truly fascinating insight into the schooling of the older horse.

CRC Review

She is one brave lady our Ambassador Sylvia…never afraid to speak out publicly defending the horse against cruel and unnecessary practices, however ingrained they may be in current equestrian circles. In recent years, through her Sensitive Schooling series of DVDs, she also allows the world to watch her working her horses, completely unrehearsed and edited only for the sake of brevity. I have no doubt she will be berated for every imperfection shown – which she has the temerity purposely to include - and perhaps by those who would benefit most by learning something from her example?

In Volume 3 we examine the work-in-progress regarding extension, flying changes, pirouettes, piaffe, passage and Spanish walk…movements that many of us only truly realise in our dreams, no matter how well we can talk-the-talk…

Sylvia brings each of 3 horses into the school, all working at different levels on the aforementioned movements; all Lusitanos, but varying in age, conformation, natural ability and indeed, none of them ‘perfect’ raw material. We have Espada with spavin, Prazer with a stifle problem and Odalisca, an older mare, newly arrived from Portugal. Sylvia proceeds to school them as she finds them on the day…exactly as she would do without the camera present…but miraculously manages to analyse and explain to camera what she is thinking and what she is attempting to do as she rides, with some additional voiceover where necessary to clarify a point. Of course, this style makes it impossible for the cameraman to always capture the best angle, but the lessons to be learnt remain crystal clear.

What a fantastic learning tool this series has turned out to be! How unbelievably illuminating to know exactly what the trainer is thinking and feeling as it happens…and even more helpful, what to do if it doesn’t! It is ever so humbling to have it so clearly demonstrated that there is never a need to get angry or frustrated or strong with the aids, to see the glaring benefits of rewarding your horse for every single effort he makes and to ‘ride’ alongside someone who unashamedly puts the horse’s welfare first at all times - no matter what.

Through such an open presentation we are given a glorious insight into Sylvia’s positive way of thinking and working and see the immediate effect on the horses, and then again a year on – and even to believe that we too may aspire to such feats. We see various ways to prepare for each movement, how and when to capitalise on the exact moment when the horse is in the best place to give, how to increase impulsion and engagement in the horse without drilling him relentlessly, how to handle spooks, and above all, we see how to keep every schooling session an absolute joy resulting in a horse which remains happy and light.

I have been inspired recently by several superb DVDs showing some seriously fancy footwork…how timely now to be given both the confidence and practical advice to feel that if I ‘reach for the sky’ I may capture some magic myself!

I was first drawn to Sylvia through her books. But it was the proud almost gleeful look in her horses' eyes when she rode them that held me there. And in all my travels I have yet to see that look again…