All posts by Jennifer Klitzke

The Versatile Gaited Horse

The Critical Student

the critical student

Since many teachers make up the breadth and depth of a student’s education, could it be the same for one’s riding studies? Here’s my story.

The Critical Student

By Jennifer Klitzke

The sound of my sneakers gripping the polished floor caught the attention of fellow students as I entered the classroom. Looking around for a place to sit, Professor Larson interrupts the glances, “If you want an “A” you’ll have to sit in the front row.” Giggling classmates lighten my apprehensive return to college after a 21-year break.

Professor Larson was teasing of course. I regathered my items and took a seat in the “A” row. I have an ambitious nature (and my peepers don’t see as good as they used to).

Professor Larson made it his mission to form critical students by encouraging each of us to listen, take notes, think through, and apply what is presented. That’s how learning is best retained.

I discovered that you don’t have to be in school to learn, but college put words to what I had already been doing as a student of dressage. For years I have been taking notes after each dressage lesson and clinic I’ve ridden at. I practice what I’ve been taught in efforts to form a new habit. I even take notes while watching instructional DVDs and while auditing clinics. I underline and scribble notes in the margins of dressage books I purchase. I think through the concepts presented. Then I try them out the next time I ride.

In fact, in his book, Reflections on Equitation Art, the late Nuno Oliviera wrote, “I know that I still have much to learn, and will go on learning until my dying day, not only my riding, but my studying, thinking deeply, and observing.”

For one of the greatest dressage masters of our time to feel there is still so much to learn through riding, studying, and thinking critically encourages me in my lifelong learning pursuits.

My favorite way to learn is through lessons, but there isn’t anyone in my area who teaches dressage, let alone dressage for the gaited horse, so between traveling clinicians with Jennie Jackson and others, my second most helpful way to learn is through video. Each week I set up my Pivo with my cell phone and record my ride. After each exercise, I stop and describe how it felt to the camera. Then when I replay the video, I can verify if what I see on screen matches what I felt from the saddle. I guess you could call it a form of self-help dressage for the gaited horse (and rider) instruction!

I became a student of dressage in 1988 with my first riding instructor. For 12 years she did a wonderful job coaching me from Training level through Second level competition with my Trakehner/Thoroughbred gelding. She taught me a solid foundation of the feeling of right and what to do when it felt wrong (at least from the German dressage paradigm).

Back then I felt like a traitor if I took lessons from anyone other than my instructor or dabbled with another training philosophy, so I became locked into only one view of riding.

Looking back, I think this was rather silly. Professor Larson wasn’t the only teacher who encompassed my college education. I learned from dozens of professors who collectively imparted diverse knowledge to form the breadth and depth of my study.

After 12 years of dressage lessons with my first instructor (for which I am grateful), much has changed in both our lives. I remarried and moved away. My instructor went to Seminary and is now an ordained Pastor leading a church (and still riding horses of course)!

In fact, in his book, Reflections on Equitation Art, the late Nuno Oliviera wrote, “By reading, riding, and meditating great results may be obtained if there is a true feeling for the horse, provided the rider’s seat is good, without following exactly all the details of any one method.”

Thankful for my years under my first dressage instructor’s mentorship, my curiosity and passion for learning didn’t stop when our paths met forks in the road. It actually freed me to try new philosophies beyond my German dressage foundation. I acquired my first smooth gaited horse and dressage for gaited horses with Jennie Jackson and Larry Whitesell; cross country and gymnastic jumping with Len Danielson; began trail riding; trail obstacles; endurance riding; orienteering; sorting cows and team penning. Then was introduced to natural horsemanship with Pat Parelli and the importance of groundwork. Began studying natural hoof trimming, and then the study of classical French dressage. All of these instructors, riding philosophies, and versatilities have added to the depth and breadth of my naturally gaited riding experience.

You see, I am open to humane ideas and activities that foster and build teamwork, trust, balance, relaxation, forward movement without rushing, lightness, and symmetry, as I work with my naturally gaited horses. To me learning goes beyond the knowledge of just one instructor and one training paradigm.

My favorite way to learn is through lessons, especially as I navigate uncharted territory and apply dressage with my head shaking, four beat flat walking smooth gaited horses. Between lessons, I sift through my treasure chest of notebooks, dressage books, videos and DVDs, and if I don’t find an answer, I Google it or search Youtube.

While I’m blessed with an abundance of online resources and much of it free, it can get tricky knowing which ideas to consider and which ones to discard. Often times one philosophy contradicts another. That’s when I become a critical student. I’ll listen to an idea, think it through. If I believe it has merit, I’ll try give it a try. Evaluate it, and if it helps my horse find balance, relaxation, and helps us build harmony, I will add it to my treasure chest. If not, I’ll pitch it. If I’m in question, I’ll ask my riding friends what they think and pick my instructor’s brain during my lesson time.

Trying out a new idea doesn’t replace everything I’ve learned up to that point. Nor does it mean that by embracing ideas from a new training philosophy or instructor means scrapping everything I’ve learned from another. I merely add workable ideas to my methods of getting to my final outcome—which is a work in progress.

In the end, my intention aims to bring about a harmonious partnership with my horse, moving together in balance and relaxation, bringing about the best quality smooth gaits and full range of motion, lightness of aids, consistent rhythm, and symmetry as it relates to the gaited horse.

You see, I’m passionate about learning and will always consider myself a student—into my grandma years and beyond.

I hope this is helpful. Let me know your thoughts by sending a message.

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Dressage for the Gaited Horse

A Trusted Leader

A Trusted Leader

There’s more to riding than a horse than being a passenger or learning a set of cues. Here’s my journey to developing trust and a safer ride.

A Trusted Leader

By Jennifer Klitzke

Let the horse know you’re the boss. Did you grow up with this paradigm? I did. This understanding accompanied crude cues as “kick to go” and “pull to stop.”

My riding experiences early on had been the long-awaited annual birthday trail rides at a local horse rental establishment. Mom believed I’d outgrow this horse madness someday. It only grew stronger as the candles grew brighter on my cake.

Upon graduating and getting my first career job, I saved enough money to purchase my first horse in 1988, an off-the-track thoroughbred, named Seasons. Not long thereafter a fellow boarder gently asked me, “Who are you going to take lessons from?”

My first horse an OTTB
My first horse, an off-the-track-thoroughbred mare named Seasons.

“Lessons?” I replied, “Why take lessons now that I own a horse!?”

Ignorantly I thought lessons were for horseless people looking for an opportunity to ride—not for horse owners desiring a more effective way to communicate with their horse. Adding to this, I thought there were two kinds of riding, English or western, defined by the saddle style you chose. (Wowzers, did I have a lot to learn!)

This kindhearted boarder invited me to watch a nearby dressage show. “Dressage? What is that?” Curious, I had to find out.

An Introduction to Dressage

We arrived at Brightonwood Farm just as Kathy Theisen entered the arena on a majestic Morgan named Bullwinkle. The music began and the duo danced as one to the rhythm of a waltz, skipping along the diagonal in flying tempe changes and floating across the arena at an extended trot. Kathy rode with an effortless finesse. No “kick to go” or “pull to stop.” In fact, I didn’t even see her cues. It was as if Bullwinkle read her mind! Adding to this was Kathy’s genuine smile emanating an unspeakable joy as she rode through this dynamic dance. This was my introduction to dressage.

1988 Brightonwood Dressage Show
Kathy Theisen and Bullwinkle.

No wonder my boarder friend asked me about lessons—no joke, I needed them!

Even more than learning a set of communication tools, I wanted to learn how to have a relationship with my horse like Kathy had with her Bullwinkle.

Back in 1988, the German form of dressage predominated my region, so I learned how to become a more technically correct dressage rider for the show ring.

Fear Meets French Dressage

After a few unexpected falls, I became a nervous and reactive rider, always on guard for the “what if.” Unknowingly, my fear transmitted insecurity to my horse and a lack of trust. My horse’s response further triggered more fear in me. So, I controlled my environment by riding in an indoor arena with few distractions for self-preservations sake. Technically correct but far from the pure joy and dance duo of Kathy and Bullwinkle.

A few years later Dominique Barbier, a French classical dressage clinician began traveling to my region. He demonstrated a similar oneness with the horses he rode. His joyful, harmonious human-horse partnership re-inspired me. This had been lacking from my technically correct and controlled regimen.

1995 Dominique Barbier Clinic

I took my horse to a few of Dominique’s clinics. He called out my reactive riding and explained the importance of riding for the horse’s sake by visualizing a plan. Providing a direction. Being the leader of our dance partnership instead of letting fear drive our dance. It was a turning point to becoming a trusted leader.

Cowboys are Skilled Riders, too

While becoming a more technically correct dressage rider, I held an arrogant belief that only dressage riders practiced the skill of riding. Cowboys did not. That was until my friend Judy invited me to watch Pat Parelli. He introduced the philosophy of natural horsemanship. During his symposium, Pat rode his horse alongside a black stallion who was at liberty and mimicked each movement Pat’s his mount performed as he rode. I left his natural horsemanship event deeply inspired and awestruck with what is possible in partnership with a horse! Kathy and Bullwinkle, Dominique and now Pat.

No matter how many 20-meter circles I perfect or how technically correct my riding position may become, it has not brought about the dance partnership and harmonious joy I sought. Something needed to change and that begins with me.

Gaited Horses meet French Dressage

In 2008 I became acquainted with the work of Larry Whitesell who combines French classical dressage with natural horsemanship for gaited horses. In fact, I was interested to learn that his turning point came about when he studied under Dominique Barbier.

I’ve participated at several of Larry’s 3-day clinics and a 5-day clinic, have studied his DVDs, and audited many more of his clinics when he came to my region. His unique riding philosophy is based upon French dressage, years of showing and training gaited horses, and understanding how the horse thinks and relates with its rider. He teaches riders the horse’s need for safety and to lead the horse into relaxation and balance.

Larry says, “Don’t teach the horse what NOT to do. Teach the horse what TO do.”

Instead of punishing the horse for making a mistake, he redirects the horse to find balance and relaxation. This way the horse’s need for security will be satisfied, and the horse will better trust the rider as a reliable leader. This translates into less spooks, bolts, bucks, buddy sourness, and rears. The more a horse can depend upon a rider for security, the more the rider can trust the horse on the trail. It’s a win-win partnership.

Jennifer and her 6-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse at a clinic with Larry Whitesell teaching us lateral exercises.
Jennifer and her 6-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse at a clinic with Larry Whitesell teaching us lateral exercises.

Larry propelled me into becoming a trusted leader. He also pointed me into further study of classical French dressage masters as the late Jean Claude Racinet and Philippe Karl.

A Journey of Thanks

I am thankful for the years of study in how to become a more technically correct rider. It was an excellent place to start and certainly better than “kick to go” and “pull to stop.” Yet my zeal for more pressed on. I wanted the relationship Kathy had with Bullwinkle waltzing along the diagonal; the harmonious human-horse partnership Dominique has with horses; the inspiring connection Pat Parelli has with a horse at liberty while riding another; and becoming a trusted leader like Larry is with his horses.

I am thankful to the kindhearted boarder who showed me that lessons are for horse owners, too. I am thankful to Kathy and Bullwinkle who awakened me to dressage as a dance partnership of harmony and joy. I am thankful to Dominique who confronted my reactionary riding fears and taught me to visualize a plan for my horse’s sake. I am thankful to Pat who inspired me with natural horsemanship and humbled my arrogance that there is more than one way to ride with skill. Indeed, cowboys can gifted riders, too. I am thankful to Larry who taught me how to lead my horse into balance and relaxation and point me toward the study of French dressage with my naturally gaited horses.

And thanks to God for giving me the courage to face my fears, new perspectives, and for providing these people and many others who have shown me the way to becoming a trusted leader.

I am still a work in progress, but far from the reactionary rider of my past, and closer to my aspiration of a Kathy and Bullwinkle dance duo.

I hope this is helpful. Let me know your thoughts by sending a message.

Visit website: NaturallyGaitedHorse.com
Subscribe: Naturally Gaited youtube channel
Follow: facebook.com/naturallygaitedhorse