Eurodressage Market - Book Review

Klaus Balkenhol – The Man and His Training Methods

July 17, 2008 - by Barbara Schnell

When German journalist Britta Schöffmann introduced her book about Klaus Balkenhol at last year's Equitana, it became an instant bestseller. Several clinics during which she rode her own Grand Prix horse La Picoluna, coached by Balkenhol, drew huge crowds, and it was clear that Balkenhol is as widely admired today as he was when he competed for Germany wearing his police uniform and winning Olympic gold on horses purchased by the state for sums that would barely get you a good saddle today. It didn't take long for the book to be sold to the United States – a first for Schöffmann, whose other books are available in various European languages.

If you're one of those dressage fans fortunate enough to have seen Balkenhol competing on Goldstern, you know that their performances had a harmony about them that was almost otherworldly. If you know what a fascinating path it was that led Balkenhol to the top of international dressage, his success becomes even more awe-inspiring.

Born in 1939 as a farmer's son, he loved working with horses from early on but still decided to follow a career inside the police force instead of sticking to farm life as a young man. Ultimately, it was that career choice that allowed him to turn his passion into a profession, since he eventually joined a unit of police riders who'd patrol at soccer games or demonstrations on horseback. It was there that his senior officer discovered his talent, helped him when he asked to take part at a clinic in Warendorf and encouraged him when he began to represent the police force at national and international competitions. The rest, as they say, is history.

Schöffmann's book retells that remarkable life story, but at the same time she lets the man himself share his wisdom about horses and his training methods. Being an ardent defender of the classical training scale, Balkenhol elaborates on the principles of that method in very clear words, which Schöffmann structures with equal clarity.

For example, “Contact doesn't only refer to the reins, bit and the rider's hands but also to the rider as a whole”, Balkenhol insists. “A rider must give the horse contact through his entire seat. This means that his legs must lie gently against the horse's body, his seat must be balanced and supple and his arms and hands must follow the horse's movement quietly and evenly. This creates a smooth cycle of movement as the horse takes the rider with him. Only this then creates contact.”

If you're a Balkenhol fan or want to learn more about the art of riding – Schöffmann and Balkenhol have created a beautifully illustrated book that has the makings of a classic. It has sold so well in North America that its publisher has now acquired the rights to another Schöffmann book, “Exercises from A-Z with Isabell Werth” ("Lektionen richtig reiten", a Dutch version was just released as well: "Groot Handboek Dressuur - Dressuuroefeningen van A tot Z"), which explains the movements of dressage in alphabetical order and is due out later this year. Meanwhile, her new book “Jedes Pferd ist anders”, on the individual possibilities and limits of individual horses will hit the German bookstores this summer.

Order the book at Amazon

Photos copyrighted: Mary Phelps - Barbara Schnell

Related Links
Stars of German Riding Pony Breeding 2008
Klaus Balkenhol and Goldstern