Anne Wilson on Classical Riding Interview

By Bree Nicole Cavalli
www.cavalliconnections.com

Bree: What does the term “classical riding” mean to you?

Anne: Classical riding to me is nothing more nor less than correct riding. It can be applied to every equestrian discipline and to every horse and rider. Too many people believe that the term classical is somehow elitist, stuffy, or a specialist type of dressage. It is none of these things. A good classical seat is the foundation for cross country riding and jumping. Although the seat is altered, by taking the weight off the horse’s back, the principles of balance and laws of gravity are the same.

Classical riders follow the laws of nature, utilising the weight aids, which the horse can follow without any ‘training’ in order to do so. This paves the way for a more harmonious partnership, less reliance on the reins, and the true classical training is far more enjoyable for the horse.

Of course true classicism, is far more than this. It encompasses an ethos of love, respect, humility, a willingness to admit when one is wrong, and a respect for the horse as a sensitive being. This does not mean that we have to be ‘soft’ – on the contrary it takes more will power and strength of character to follow these ethics than to take the attitude of ‘I will be boss come what may’. The horse needs fair discipline, and I believe horses understand fairness and need a strong, kind, leader. All the great masters have advocated this ethos. However, throughout the centuries there have been cruel training methods practiced by so called ‘classical masters’ as there still are today. This is confusing to some people but, when you think about, it is inevitable. Human nature is such that there will always be some people who stray from the straight and narrow path. In my opinion these trainers should not be called classical.

Bree: In your opinion, what is the biggest misconception about classical riding?

Anne: I think the biggest misconception is that classical riders are ‘soppy’ and that classical principles are out-dated. Many competitors believe that they cannot follow classical principles if they want to win trophies. They may also believe that modern methods must be better simply because they are modern. What they seem to forget is that the basic biomechanics of horses have not changed, nor have the laws of nature, such as Newton’s law of gravity, and all these laws seem to be ignored in much of today’s competitive riding. Classical principles have stood the test of thousands of years of time and cannot be shaken.

It may in fact be true that the quickest way to the top is not to follow classical principles, but that is only because the judging system has become misguided (some may say corrupt). Where is the sense of achievement in winning under these circumstances, especially when it is undoubtedly at the cost of the horse’s well-being?