Xenophon Society formed to uphold classical principals

[Sonesta]

Klaus Balkenhol and Hans-Heinrich Isenbart (among others) have formed the Xenophon Society. It’s stated goals are:

a) the preservation and promotion of riding culture in accordance with traditional, classical principles;
b) the education about the dangers of violating the principles of the classical doctrine for the sport of riding;
c) the application of the “Ethical Principles of Horse Lovers” to the practice of riding, in accordance with § 15 of the present Bylaws;
d) the raising of awareness about the classical riding culture;
e) the promotion of training of riders and horses, and
f) the promotion of a good reputation of equestrianism in the public eye, as well as in general;
g) the promotion of the principles of protection of animals when keeping, handling and training horses;
h) the promotion of science, research, literature, and applications in all fields of horse-related activities, as well as
i) the observance of the Association’s purposes in the framework of its non-profit activities vis-à-vis other equestrian organizations.

Its website is http://www.truemner.net/xenophon/ The website is in English, German and Dutch.

You might want to check it out.

[Red_Barn]

Oh, Sonesta, THANKS!

Haven’t read even a quarter of the text, and am already in love!

[Bluey]

I am glad to see that Christine Stuckleberger is in with them.
She was one of the best upcomming olympic riders when I knew her and did so well with Granat.:yes:

She was a fine lady and would never, I don’t think, have fallen for any training techniques that would have stressed a horse.
I think that such is counterproductive.

Thanks for that update.

[arnika]

Nice site with the type of ideals I would like to pass to my daughters.

[snoopy]

I am loving what I have read so far!!!:yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes:

[slc2]

i had my doubts initially but it is looking good.

[Red_Barn]

Well, I’ve examined the whole site pretty carefully now, and couldn’t be more impressed. They don’t pull any punches do they?! Straight-talking and well reasoned all the way.

I’ll be signing up as soon as I cash in all those beer bottles in the woodshed. (95 euro - piece of cake!)

Thanks again, Sonesta.

[Sabine]

this is sooo yesteryear…didn’t you all see this last year- it was hot in the early 2006 time I think…now it’s just dying down- or one more of those that have taken a nice seat on the fence…

[Dressage4Fun]

Personally I wish I cold find someone that belived and taught the Classical principals around me. I school my own horses, have my hubby video me and school my kids. There is not anyone that I can count on near me that I am aware of. I love the site and I am VERY happy to see Classical Dressage promoted from such great riders.

[lstevenson]

@Dressage4Fun;2715139

Personally I wish I cold find someone that belived and taught the Classical principals around me. I school my own horses, have my hubby video me and school my kids. There is not anyone that I can count on near me that I am aware of. I love the site and I am VERY happy to see Classical Dressage promoted from such great riders.

Yes, trainers who stick to classical principles are definitely hard to find all over the US. But they are out there if you look hard enough.

The Xenophon Society site has been around for a while, and I wish more people were interested in it. And interested in preserving Classical Dressage.

[Dressage4Fun]

Know of any around Portales NM?? LOL!!

[Red_Barn]

[QUOTE=Sabine;2715131]
this is sooo yesteryear…didn’t you all see this last year- it was hot in the early 2006 time I think…now it’s just dying down- or one more of those that have taken a nice seat on the fence…;)[/QUOTE]

Gosh. Guess I’m just not hip enough to be in the know.

And why the denigrating tone?

It sounds like this organization is trying to address the very problems we’ve been lamenting page after page. I for one (a provincial nobody, granted) am very glad to know they exist.

[ideayoda]

His book is coming out this year, they are starting an event (perhaps two) a year. Its not easy without big $$ to advance the organization quickly. Join it!

[merrygoround]

I applaud their objectives, but in this country through it’s certification program is not the USDF doing the same thing? Or have I been only listening to classical minded teachers?

[Sonesta]

I’d say being formed in 2006 makes it still a very new organization and it NEEDS lots of members to have any clout. Membership and finances are vital to have influence. I joined today. I hope all you like-minded folks will do so as well.

[Velvet]

I also remember this when it first started. My only problem with the site is that it doesn’t really give members in the USA much of anything at this point. And the site doesn’t really give you English samples. Maybe if they improve that part they’ll get a TON of Americans to support it. I’m sure there are a lot of people who’d join, and pay for clinics with people who are a part of the Xenephon group. :yes: Especially with a small discount offered to them if they join.

[DressageGeek_Ribbon]

I am very lucky I have a trainer who abscribes to exactly these principles. And what an enormous difference it has made to my horse, and myself.

[petitefilly]

 
For the Well-being of all Horses

Olympic winner Klaus Balkenhol and Hans-Heinrich Isenbart demand a change

If - like us - you believe that

a return to the fundamental principles of classical equestrianism is urgently required,
only a supple horse can perform properly and remain healthy on the long-term,
an appreciation of physical and psychological connections in the training of horses has to be revived,
love of the horse and the aesthetics of equestrian sport should become a focal point once again,
horse-lovers throughout the world should unite in mutual pursuit of these aims,
then come and join us !

I agree-agree-agree-----jumping up and down with joy! Now those are goals, I applaude wholeheartedly.

[dutchmike]

I thought it was dead. Last year there was major trouble between the starters of the club. I guess it resurected.:yes:

[Sabine]

[QUOTE=Red Barn;2715218]
Gosh. Guess I’m just not hip enough to be in the know.

And why the denigrating tone?

It sounds like this organization is trying to address the very problems we’ve been lamenting page after page. I for one (a provincial nobody, granted) am very glad to know they exist.[/QUOTE]

this organization is another form of getting the masses to subscribe and it is teaching a mantra…it’s like a religion. After spending a life time in dressage I don’t believe in dogma and rigid rules. I believe in customized training for the individual horse- because the chance of it being cast away as ‘not- usable for dressage’ is just as high as the chance of it making it in ‘your Xenophon world’.
What I am really saying is this: try and distinguish between what is real training and an economic venture. This is the latter- it benefits a few peeps and it’s meant to confirm that 'their ’ take on dressage training was correct- and that was just their opinion…while they cast away just as many horses as not trainable as the other camp did…

think about it!!