{"id":67438,"date":"2023-12-27T14:42:45","date_gmt":"2023-12-27T03:42:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/?p=67438"},"modified":"2024-07-20T14:40:48","modified_gmt":"2024-07-20T04:40:48","slug":"christopher-bartle-this-is-a-truly-amazing-article","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/2023\/12\/christopher-bartle-this-is-a-truly-amazing-article\/","title":{"rendered":"Christopher Bartle \u2013 this is a truly amazing article!"},"content":{"rendered":"<header id=\"branding\" role=\"banner\">\n<hgroup><\/hgroup>\n<nav id=\"access\" role=\"navigation\">\n<div class=\"menu-main-navigation-container\">\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong style=\"font-variant-caps: normal;\">Rebecca Ashton catches up with the most successful equestrian coach in the world in ANY discipline\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"main\">\n<div id=\"primary\">\n<div id=\"content\" role=\"main\">\n<article id=\"post-67572\" class=\"post-67572 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-breaking-news category-dressage tag-christopher-bartle tag-classical-training tag-dressage-training\">\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-67591\" src=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/legposition-1024x683.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/legposition-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/legposition-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/legposition-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/legposition-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/legposition.jpg 1200w\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"390\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u201dChristopher has a very simple system to communicate with the horse. First, you make a POSITION STATEMENT, putting the body into position to tell the horse what it\u2019s going to do. It\u2019s the preparation. Next we use BODY LANGUAGE to tell the horse when it\u2019s going to do it. It\u2019s the action. This is then supported by the SEAT for length of stride and the LEG which is for energy and FINALLY THE HAND.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u00a0<\/span>As Albert Einstein once said, \u201cThe definition of a genius is taking the complex and making it simple\u201d. Christopher Bartle is definitely a genius. During his recent visit to Australia he proved, if it ever needed to be proved, his prolific understanding of the equestrian sport and he has exquisite communication skills.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-67596\" src=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Bad98-ChrisBartle2.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Bad98-ChrisBartle2.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Bad98-ChrisBartle2-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Bad98-ChrisBartle2-300x450.jpg 300w\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"675\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><em><span lang=\"EN-US\">Christopher and Word Perfect, winning at Badminton in 1998\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-67598\" src=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ChrisBartleWilyTrout-Mar11.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 551px) 100vw, 551px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ChrisBartleWilyTrout-Mar11.jpg 551w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ChrisBartleWilyTrout-Mar11-300x272.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ChrisBartleWilyTrout-Mar11-331x300.jpg 331w\" alt=\"\" width=\"551\" height=\"500\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><em>Christopher and Wily Trout at the LA Olympics<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u00a0As a rider, not only did Christopher win Team Gold at the European Championships in Burghley in 1997 and Badminton in 1998 on Word Perfect II, but also had great success in the dressage arena coming 6th in the LA Olympics in 1984 and 2nd in the Dressage World Cup Final in \u2019s-Hertogenbosch in 1986 aboard Wily Trout.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-67614\" src=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/BartleJungLuhJR.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/BartleJungLuhJR.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/BartleJungLuhJR-300x219.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/BartleJungLuhJR-410x300.jpg 410w\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"512\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><em>Christopher and one of his star combinations for Germany, Michael Jung and Sam<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">As a trainer, between 2001 and 2016, Chris helped transform the German eventing team into a medal winning machine. Since 2016, he has been doing the same as coach of Team GB.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-67617\" src=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/BartleTeamHug.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/BartleTeamHug.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/BartleTeamHug-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/BartleTeamHug-450x300.jpg 450w\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>A team hug for the coach of the victorious UK team in Tokyo in 2020<br \/>\n(FEI photo: Christophe Taniere)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u00a0<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\">To split Chris\u2019s training between cross country and dressage is a little tricky as his philosophy really extends over all disciplines. His whole approach is to <\/span><span lang=\"FR\">encourag<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\">e the horse and motivate him to perform rather than pressure him to perform. \u201cBasically we communicate through the language of touch.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">On this visit to Australia, not only did Christopher teach clinics but also conducted a Masterclass and Coaches Masterclass at Sydney Three Day Event thanks to Equestrian NSW. It\u2019s these two latter events that are reported on here.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u00a0<\/span>We\u2019ll start with dressage, and what a surprise it was to those horses used to nothing but white rails to find themselves in an indoor full of cross country jumps! A training experience in itself.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Christopher has a very simple system to communicate with the horse. First, you make a POSITION STATEMENT, putting the body into position to tell the horse what it\u2019s going to do. It\u2019s the preparation. Next we use BODY LANGUAGE to tell the horse when it\u2019s going to do it. It\u2019s the action. This is then supported by the SEAT for length of stride and the LEG which is for energy and FINALLY THE HAND.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">The outside hand is the DISCIPLINE REIN. It talks to the horse, asks him to wait, is used in a slight outward direction. The inside rein is the FRIENDLY REIN and is used by lifting the bit to the corner of the mouth to take the pressure off the tongue and the jaw. It affects the poll and is more comfortable there for the horse. It\u2019s never used with backward pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Chris also reminded the riders to sit to the inside edge of the saddle, especially on circles and in lateral work. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u201cIt\u2019s not a fault, it\u2019s just that the centrifugal force will pull you to the outside of the saddle so you need to just gently correct that every few strides.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">In fact, any aids to the horse are to be be given just once every few strides. Touch, two, three, four, touch, two, three, four was a mantra for all riders. This had to be done in rhythm though so as not to confuse the horse. No one was to hassle their horse or double tap with the leg or spur.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><b><span lang=\"EN-US\">Another much heard correction was to \u201clet fresh air under your thigh\u201d. Clamping legs were out of the equation. No gripping legs; no holding hands and nice, loose hips.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><b><span lang=\"EN-US\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-67623\" src=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/OneHandedRochelle-1024x683.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/OneHandedRochelle-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/OneHandedRochelle-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/OneHandedRochelle-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/OneHandedRochelle-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/OneHandedRochelle.jpg 1200w\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"390\" \/><\/span><\/b><em><span lang=\"EN-US\">Rochelle King-Andrews and H.V. Florian demonstrate\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"Body\">Most riders were asked to ride with the reins in one hand at some point. The horses became quieter in the mouth, softer in the outline and not so short in the neck. It was to point out that by taking away the hands and communicating to the horse more from your body, you achieve a better frame, connection and outline.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u201cI see too much pressure at the front end, fussy hands which leads to a tight neck.\u201d<\/span><span lang=\"DE\">Reins <\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\">are held in the outside hand because that<\/span><span dir=\"RTL\" lang=\"AR-SA\">\u2019<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\">s the disciplining rein.&#8221; <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">The work at all levels was first and foremost about freedom of movement, expression, that <\/span><span dir=\"RTL\" lang=\"AR-SA\">\u201c<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\">up\u201d <\/span><span lang=\"IT\">attitude<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\"> but without too much holding and squeezing. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-42244\" src=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Ahlerich-L.A.-1984.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Ahlerich-L.A.-1984.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Ahlerich-L.A.-1984-300x223.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Ahlerich-L.A.-1984-403x300.jpg 403w\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"521\" \/><em>Dr Reiner Klimke and Ahlerich \u2013 an inspiration..\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Body\">Christopher mentioned being helped by the great Reiner Klimke at times during his career and being utterly impressed when Klimke and Ahlerich did their lap of honour at the LA Olympics with one-handed piaffe, passage and flying changes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-67618\" src=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/BrookeGattCelestial-1024x683.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/BrookeGattCelestial-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/BrookeGattCelestial-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/BrookeGattCelestial-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/BrookeGattCelestial-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/BrookeGattCelestial.jpg 1200w\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"390\" \/>\u00a0<\/span><em>\u00a0Nineteen-year -old Brooke Gatt on her young horse Celestial was encouraged to have the rein a fraction longer.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u201cActive\u2026your body position says let\u2019s go! You step down into your inside stirrup in your rising trot. Work from your hip, not your knee. When you change direction, step into your new inside stirrup, open your new inside hip and knee, raise the bit with your inside hand, control with the outside rein and say let\u2019s go with your body.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Christopher was really looking for positive paces and communicating to the horse with weight aids.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-67619\" src=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/CBFlorian-1024x683.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/CBFlorian-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/CBFlorian-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/CBFlorian-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/CBFlorian-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/CBFlorian.jpg 1200w\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"390\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u00a0<\/span>Rochelle King-Andrews and HV Florian were the Medium combination. Florian was impressed with this interesting environment and Chris guided:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u201cRelax your hip to allow your horse to \u2018breathe\u2019 a little bit, especially when they\u2019re in a new environment. Let the nose forward a little bit more, fractionally longer rein. Lift the inside rein rather than pull back. Lower your hand fractionally. Let him step forward.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Rochelle was to use shoulder in to get Florian into what Chris calls \u00a0<b>The Zone<\/b> then, with this established, take it forward into bigger strides as she straightened. This ws followed by half pass and Rochelle was encouraged to touch the horse with the inside leg every four strides to create more expression. \u201cThe preparation phase creates relaxation and then you can say let\u2019s go. The shoulder in activates the hind leg first. Relax your hips so you get bigger strides. The horse must feel free to move.\u201d Rochelle executed the movement beautifully.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u201cHalf pass, shoulder in then circle left. You want your inside leg under your inside hip. Step to the inside and half halt with the outside rein. This is what I mean by body language. Your body is now riding a bigger step.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><b><span lang=\"EN-US\">In the preparation work for the pirouettes, it was all about just little reminders to the horse and not taking the outside leg further back. It should talk to the front end and this way you can ride the horse forward. <\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><b><span lang=\"EN-US\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-67620\" src=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/MarkKiddleShoulderIn-1024x683.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/MarkKiddleShoulderIn-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/MarkKiddleShoulderIn-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/MarkKiddleShoulderIn-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/MarkKiddleShoulderIn-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/MarkKiddleShoulderIn.jpg 1200w\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"390\" \/><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><em>Mark Kiddle and Pennyhill Park Sophia<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u00a0<\/span>Mark Kiddle and Pennyhill Park Sophia were the Grand Prix representatives. After an initial check to ensure the combination were forward, uphill and easy together with rhythm and relaxation, shoulder in was asked for to get the talented mare\u2019s hind leg more under the body.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u00a0<\/span>The mare\u2019s nose was encouraged forward by a slightly longer rein and Mark relaxing his arm, but not throwing away the contact. More collection came about with a less driving, looser hip and thigh. Trot with an almost walk transition then back into trot also encouraged a more engaged hind leg as did keeping the shoulder in through the trot to walk transitions. The trot to almost walk could also be the start of the passage training.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u00a0<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\">Mark and Sophia produced a fabulous big and ground covering canter. To bring it back, Chris advised, \u201cCollect by your body language saying now I<\/span><span dir=\"RTL\" lang=\"AR-SA\">\u2019<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\">m cantering on the spot. The neck doesn<\/span><span dir=\"RTL\" lang=\"AR-SA\">\u2019<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\">t change, your hips stay loose. Bigger seat movement to ride out. It<\/span><span dir=\"RTL\" lang=\"AR-SA\">\u2019<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\">s your body communicating to the horse, not so much the leg. The leg is just one touch for an extra boost.\u201d To make the tempi changes more ground covering, Chris explained, \u201cOur horses feel what we<\/span><span dir=\"RTL\" lang=\"AR-SA\">\u2019<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\">re doing so position your hips and then your body starts communicating it. It<\/span><span dir=\"RTL\" lang=\"AR-SA\">\u2019<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\">s your hips swinging with your horse not just a mechanical movement of your leg. Then you will get more expressive changes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">The pirouettes again were initiated from the hips with the inside leg there for support. The feeling should be one of skipping with your horse.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">The session ended with a little look at piaffe using the walk pirouette as preparation. \u201cAlways shoulder fore as the preparation. Relax your hip and keep your leg closer to girth. Then you can take your legs a fraction further forward for piaffe. That will help lift the shoulder.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><b><span lang=\"EN-US\">Focus on a diagonal pair to get from piaffe to passage. That stops you just focusing on the front end or back end.<\/span><\/b><b><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-67626\" src=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/HeidiFordReike-1024x683.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/HeidiFordReike-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/HeidiFordReike-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/HeidiFordReike-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/HeidiFordReike-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/HeidiFordReike.jpg 1200w\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"390\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em><span lang=\"EN-US\">Heidi Ford and Reike<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">In the Coach\u2019s Clinic the following day, the dressage section began with Heidi Ford and her Friesian Reike. Heidi competes both able body and para dressage. She was encouraged to activate her gelding using shoulder in and the body language of \u201cLet\u2019s go!\u201d. It was important to not over bend the neck when asking for poll flexion and It was to be the body position that brought the horse back for collection or downward transitions rather than pressure in the mouth. Contact does not equate to pressure. \u201cFeel like you\u2019re dancing with your horse!\u201d encouraged Christopher.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-67624\" src=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/JustinWorthyMario-1024x683.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/JustinWorthyMario-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/JustinWorthyMario-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/JustinWorthyMario-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/JustinWorthyMario-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/JustinWorthyMario.jpg 1200w\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"390\" \/><em>\u00a0Justin Worthy and Mario<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Justin Worthy on Sally-Ann Barbera\u2019s Mario showed us some Prix St Georges work. Basics first and Chris wanted to check that the horse was forward thinking, supple and with correct poll flexion. Is the rider relaxed? Is he touching the horse in a rhythm and not wrestling or hassling the horse? Lots of transitions between and within the paces he calls \u201cPhase One\u201d of the daily work. \u201cDuring the LA Olympics, my trainer used to make me do a lot of these transitions with Wily Trout. And also medium trot to medium canter with a constant outline, constant contact.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Again Chris\u2019s great analogies came to the fore, <b>\u201cImagine a glass of champagne is sitting at the top of the bridle but the poll flexion shouldn<\/b><\/span><b><span dir=\"RTL\" lang=\"AR-SA\">\u2019<\/span><\/b><b><span lang=\"EN-US\">t spill the glass of champagne. If he rolls over, shoulder fore. One touch of the inside leg, then outside leg.\u201d<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">In the trot\/walk transitions. It was important to remind the gelding to stay up a bit, maybe from a touch of the rider\u2019s back, maybe from a slight bracing of the back. \u201cDance into the canter, don\u2019t just mechanically use the leg.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Phase Two of the work then began with lateral movements: shoulder in to travers to half pass. There was the little reminder, \u201cAn athlete can<\/span><span dir=\"RTL\" lang=\"AR-SA\">\u2019<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\">t compete in tight clothing. Don<\/span><span dir=\"RTL\" lang=\"AR-SA\">\u2019<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\">t make your body tight in and around the horse.\u201d The horse\u2019s shoulder was encouraged to lift by either a touch on the shoulder with the whip or a touch of the inside leg forward. The inside leg is also used to activate the inside hindleg which will then keep the poll up and the nose forward.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u00a0<\/span>Each exercise should be followed by a \u201crecovery period\u201d of a short stretch in that pace, a little bit like interval training.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-67625\" src=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/HollyLewosHeathertonParkRomeo-1024x683.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/HollyLewosHeathertonParkRomeo-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/HollyLewosHeathertonParkRomeo-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/HollyLewosHeathertonParkRomeo-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/HollyLewosHeathertonParkRomeo-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/HollyLewosHeathertonParkRomeo.jpg 1200w\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"390\" \/><em>\u00a0Holly Lewis and Heatherton Park Romeo<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u00a0<\/span>Holly Lewis and Heatherton Park Romeo were showing some Grand Prix work. The chestnut was a little taken aback with his new surrounds and got shy and a little chewy in the mouth despite Holly\u2019s soft hands. Chris suggested perhaps sometimes training him in a simple snaffle or, when in the full bridle, maybe holding the inside snaffle rein from underneath. \u201cAvoid pressure on both sides of the mouth at the same time. Left flexion, then right flexion to get him stretching forward more. You want to get it by relaxation, not pressure.\u201d Chris calls this \u201cshimmying\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">It was also worth considering that constant contact of the horse with the seat, leg and hand didn\u2019t mean constant pressure, and that the leg should be used in a forward direction. Not that Holly did it, but Chris also wanted us to consider that the leg shouldn\u2019t be pinned in at the knee with the spur working backwards. <\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">The leg should hang at the girth. Only when the leg needed to address the quarters was it to come backwards. The whip too should be carefully applied and used with precision avoiding the belly and flank.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span lang=\"EN-US\">If forced to encapsulate Chris\u2019s philosophy into one quote, it might have to be, \u201cAllow your horse to perform as your dancing partner\u201d. Allow being the operative word.<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><strong><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u00a0<\/span>A huge thank you to Vireena Peacock and Dressage NSW for the very special Masterclass and Coach\u2019s Clinic. Also to Karen Miller at Ballodair Equestrian Centre who allowed access to Christopher\u2019s clinic. It\u2019s not every day you get the opportunity to learn from the world\u2019s best. And the biggest thanks of all to the horses and riders who put themselves in the spotlight to be critiqued to help us all learn. That\u2019s no mean feat.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"entry-meta\">This entry was posted in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/article\/breaking-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Breaking News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/article\/dressage\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Dressage<\/a> and tagged <a href=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/tag\/christopher-bartle\/\" rel=\"tag\">christopher bartle<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/tag\/classical-training\/\" rel=\"tag\">Classical training<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/tag\/dressage-training\/\" rel=\"tag\">Dressage training<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/author\/admin\/\">horsemagazine<\/a>. Bookmark the <a title=\"Permalink to Christopher Bartle \u2013 this is a truly amazing article!\" href=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/2023\/12\/christopher-bartle-genius-this-is-a-truly-amazing-article\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">permalink<\/a>.<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<div id=\"comments\">\n<h2 id=\"comments-title\">2 THOUGHTS ON \u201cCHRISTOPHER BARTLE \u2013 THIS IS A TRULY AMAZING ARTICLE!\u201d<\/h2>\n<ol class=\"commentlist\">\n<li id=\"li-comment-495486\" class=\"comment even thread-even depth-1\">\n<article id=\"comment-495486\" class=\"comment\">\n<footer class=\"comment-meta\">\n<div class=\"comment-author vcard\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"avatar avatar-68 photo\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2138a2e971fd9190b18db6032586751a?s=68&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g\" srcset=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2138a2e971fd9190b18db6032586751a?s=136&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"68\" height=\"68\" \/><span class=\"fn\">Karen Miller<\/span> on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/2023\/12\/christopher-bartle-genius-this-is-a-truly-amazing-article\/#comment-495486\"><time datetime=\"2023-12-01T15:58:32+11:00\">December 1, 2023 at 3:58 pm<\/time><\/a> <span class=\"says\">said:<\/span><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<div class=\"comment-content\">\n<p>Great recap, Rebecca. It was such a privilege hosting Christopher Bartle, and watching him work miracles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"reply\"><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"li-comment-495488\" class=\"comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1\">\n<article id=\"comment-495488\" class=\"comment\">\n<footer class=\"comment-meta\">\n<div class=\"comment-author vcard\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"avatar avatar-68 photo\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ae40cd33e1ad434a6d97a95ed6c348e2?s=68&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g\" srcset=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ae40cd33e1ad434a6d97a95ed6c348e2?s=136&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"68\" height=\"68\" \/><span class=\"fn\">Robyn Stokes<\/span> on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/2023\/12\/christopher-bartle-genius-this-is-a-truly-amazing-article\/#comment-495488\"><time datetime=\"2023-12-01T18:04:37+11:00\">December 1, 2023 at 6:04 pm<\/time><\/a> <span class=\"says\">said:<\/span><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<div class=\"comment-content\">\n<p>I had lessons from Chris in SA in the early 90s \u2013 I still hear his words, especially \u2018set up the canter pirouette then allow it to happen\u2019 \u2013 a great rider &amp; trainer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During his recent visit to Australia, Christopher Bartle proved, his prolific understanding of equestrian sport, and that he has amazing communication skills.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":67444,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"nf_dc_page":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[81,5,1901],"tags":[684,1243,1244],"class_list":["post-67438","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breaking-news","category-eventing","category-grand-prix-dressage","tag-christopher-bartle","tag-dressage","tag-eventing"],"acf":[],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67438","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=67438"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67438\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":68155,"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67438\/revisions\/68155"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/67444"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67438"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=67438"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=67438"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}