Horse Show & Clinic Coverage

Open the Door Dressage Clinic given by Walter Zettl

by Lorne I. Ordel | June 25, 2007

Beginning on June 23rd a two-day dressage clinic was held at Eddo Hoekstra’s (Hoekstra’s Dressage) facility near Trent University in Peterborough, ON, featuring internationally recognized trainer Walter Zettl.

Originally from Czechoslovakia, Zettl has resided in Canada since 1981 and he has earned a reputation as an accomplished and respected dressage clinician and coach. He wrote The Masters of Horsemanship Series, including, “Dressage in Harmony.” He produced an instructional DVD series titled, “A Matter of Trust.”

The clinic format was highly effective. The learning gallery consisted of 60 chairs set up adjacent to an outdoor dressage arena. Zettl communicated to the students via two large, quality speakers on tripods, allowing everyone to hear clearly and comfortably. Horse and rider were individually trained by him, in 40 minute sessions.

Zettl’s instruction and direction over horse and rider was so effective and intuitive, that it was as if he was a phantom rider, sitting behind the saddle and whispering into the rider’s ear. The spectators were assured they would learn as much as those in the saddle. Zettl was true to his word.

The master horseman explained that the horse is a free animal and will try to escape when frightened. Rather than try to hold the horse’s temperament, he said, “open the door” –an expression that became the mantra of the day.

Zettl explained that the rider must give and then softly take, use the aids with gentleness. With the several of the high spirited horses he effectively used 10 and 20 meter circles to settle them, encouraging the riders to lay off the reins. At one point he remarked, “If the horse has to cough, lay off for a moment and let them cough.”

When first mounting, allow the horse to look around, do not grip him, initially let him go on a loose rein and long rein, “leave the door open for him,” so he feels he is free. Pet your horse, tell him a nice story, and always be soft, easy, and gentle in everything that you ask. Do not attempt to control the tenseness, do not force the frame, give, give give, and do less with the hands. Oftentimes, you win or lose with the warm-up.

Think of the reins as made of silk, and squeeze them as if squeezing a sponge, even for a 10-metre circle. This very soft use of the aids will develop the trust of the horse, and he will begin to chew on the bit. Then as the horse moves in a tempo, it is important not to interfere with this tempo. Let them go into their gates, do not stop or impede their movement. Do not be focused on the frame.

“Ride up in heaven, not down in hell.” Walk, trot, canter, half pass, flying change…open up the door, give. Think of holding the reins with broken fingers. Once you get what you have asked, turn off the aid. The horse must always be allowed to feel that he can go, and that he can trust the rider.

The true genius of Zettl was his ability to empathize with the horse and consistently use his highly effective “soft, easy, gentle” techniques to handle a diverse group of riders and horses, all with very different skill sets and some with evident problems from the get go. One of the horses seemed primed to rear and run out of the ring. Zettl, consistently in control of the horse from his position on the ground, with a calm and sweet voice, instructed the rider to bring one rein behind the knee, effortlessly causing the horse to abandon the dangerous of idea of going up.

Difficult horse?  Use soft hands, soft leg yields, and lots of easy circles in both directions. Allow the horse to move forward and keep him busy. Do not attempt to control the tenseness, give in immediately when the horse tenses up, and always, soft, easy, gentle.

Kathy Fremes, owner-manager of Country Hill Equestrian Centre in Stouffville and a coach herself remarked: “No matter what the level a horse and rider who entered the training ring today, they left in better shape and truly improved. Walter Zettl truly loves people and horses, and his compassion is contagious.”

What a treat and true learning experience to be a part of the Dressage Clinic at Hoekstra Dressage, and listen to the gentle and caring voice of Walter Zettl, who trains horse and rider with patience, love and  remarkable depth of skill.  With clinicians such as Walter Zettl, even race car drivers might be convinced to give up their sleek, gas guzzling race cars for a Dutch Warmblood!

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