• VOLUME 49 • © HORSES For LIFE™ Magazine

By Nancy Dibble and Kit West

Anja rewards Nancy Dibble’s Lusitano for his efforts at Brookside Equestrian

Nancy Dibble and Kit West recently had the opportunity to bring Anja Beran (www.anjaberan.de/), a classical inspiration, to America for her first visit to this country. Anja is a unique trainer who is seriously committed to classical horsemanship in its true and original sense. It is her passion for maintaining this art form that motivated her to make the long trip to the United States. Anja credits her extensive experience to two primary mentors - French Ecuyer Marc de Broissia and the Portuguese trainer/bullfighter, and horse breeder Manuel Jorge Oliveira. She had the opportunity to ride a wide variety of different horses when she trained for 16 years with de Broissia. With his support she was able to bring multiple horses from basic training to the highest levels of dressage. Manuel Jorge Oliveira has and continues to be her friend and mentor for the past 19 years.

The clinic took place at two locations in southern California; the first session was at Brookside Equestrian Center in Walnut and the second was at the Casner Ranch in Temecula. There were a total of six riders per session with each rider having two 30-minute lessons per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. This allowed auditors to observe 12 lessons each day. This also allowed the riders to have an opportunity to absorb what they learned in the morning and apply this to the afternoon lesson. The response to the clinic was overwhelming with auditors coming from seven different states including Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and California. In addition to the full lesson schedule that spanned 6 days, Anja provided two evening theory sessions that included both work in-hand with demonstration horses and time for follow-up questions.

Anja Beran brought to America exactly what she shows in her own riding. She brought beauty and she brought art in the form of dressage. She was a breath of fresh air to the dressage world and was a gift to all who were fortunate enough to attend the California clinic. She has graced our arena with authentic dedication and truth to the "Art of Classical Dressage." Debra Haber, an auditor from Arizona, had this to say, “I have attended clinics that focus on the progress but fail to consider the horse. I have also attended clinics that focus completely on the love and respect for the horse and there is no progress. Anja has the perfect balance.”

Anja showed both the riders and auditors many different gymnastic exercises designed to help straighten and supple the horse but it was not as much the exercises that made Anja different; it was the way Anja had riders execute the movements. When you think of Anja, think of “calm.” The exercises must be calm, slow, and thoughtfully done. If the horse goes too fast then the joints do not bend sufficiently and the horse’s back will not open. Evidence of this is when the horse begins to lick and chew softly.

Anja ensured that each rider understood why not to let the horse run. “I had never had a person say that I was “running” at a walk, Nancy observed. Now I understand completely what Anja meant and I can already feel the difference in my horse. The horse must not be on his shoulders, even at the walk and he must take slow, cadenced steps where the rider can feel the joints bending. This type of education was very, very helpful for our horses and continues to be as we practice this every day.” Kit explained, “There was no tension, no rushing, no problem. The focus was to set each horse up with a gentle dialogue to help the horse find his balance. There was no dominance, no force, and no problem. There is a gentle peace in Anja's spirit. She has "feel with control" but does not "control without feel". Her conversation with the horse is an "art", not a "sport".