What is the Ecole de Legerete?


As a trainee instructor in Philippe Karl's Ecole de Legerete one of the resources I am lucky to have access to is a series of educational lectures created by M. Karl in 2004 and 2005. 

Recently I watched one where he described the Ecole de Legerete. I, of course, was taking notes and thought I could share some of my impressions.

🌟 The Ecole de Legerete is founded on a deep knowledge of the horse, including anatomy, physiology, ethology etc It is not a finished point and can take in new information as it is presented. It is not just a set of rules. However it also respects and conserves the knowledge of the past.

🌟 The Ecole de Legerete is a philosophy which takes account of the teaching's of historical masters including Xenephon, Tieste, La Brun, La Gueriniere, Hunersdorf, Baron de Sinde, Baucher, Rabe, Beudant, Kerbreche, Nuno Oliveira.

🌟 The word Legerete has a special meaning in the equestrian community in France, while we can directly translate Legerete to Lightness, actually Legerete has a meaning related to the quality of availability in the horse and an efficiency in communication between horse and rider. 

🌟The Ecole de Legerete refuses any use of power or force (no fixed reins or gadgets).

🌟The Ecole de Legerete is for all horses and all riders. Not only the naturally talented ones (thank goodness for that!).

These are all things I am happy to be a part of and feel privileged to be a trainee in the EdL learning  more about Equestrian Culture. In addition it makes me a better rider, horse trainer and ultimately a better instructor.

Christine Mogensen - Principal, BLinkbonnie Equestrian Centre

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