The Klaus Balkenhol interview

9m 36secs
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Posted: 27/01/2009

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Library > Celebrity Interviews & Horse Heroes > Celebrity Interviews

Klaus Balkenhol needs no introduction. As one of the most revered dressage trainers in the world, we were privileged to get an unexpected interview with him when he visited the Bechtolsheimer's yard in Janauary '09. In this interview Klaus (double Olympic gold medallist and trainer to the US dressage team) talks to Fiona Price through Dr Bechtolsheimer, who acts as interpretor. He talks about his philosophy for training horses and riders, the makings of star quality, the people he likes to work with, his hopes for dressage judging, his pet hate and what he loves most about horses. Find out about the mind and method of this great trainer!

Comments

Milo 22 Apr 2010 Wonderful,insightful interview! I am so happy to hear (and see by Laura's lessons), the respectful attitude toward horses. They are our partners in a "dressage dance!", not just a submissive slave, as Klaus says. Thank you so much.

Fiona Price 23 Feb 2009 Sadly, it isn't possible to attend the training and watch. We are privilaged to have filmed Klaus's sessions with the co-operation of the Bechtolsheimers, and we do our best to be as discrete as possible so as not to interupt what is essential a very private session.

Sarah Houstoun 23 Feb 2009 Thank you for giving me the opportunity to listen to this interview - I wonder if Herr Balkenhol has any suggestions for training judges to see the overall picture and to reward sound training? Is it possible to attend and listen to his training sessions?

Laura Bechtolsheimer 28 Jan 2009 I agree! No he didn't need an interpreter to coach the US, most of them had quite good German and he can get his point across in English, I think he just felt more comfortable expressing himself in this situation with some help!

Mali 28 Jan 2009 What a great interview. I love what he said about no force and remembering the horse is not a slave. If only more at the top shared his philosophy.