What is the Format for a Classical Equitation Clinic with Craig Stevens?

Craig's Riding Clinics cover three to five days of work, starting with a theory lecture the first evening and continuing with as many riding days as there are riders to teach. The lessons last typically 45 minutes each, and there is time for a brief question and answer period between rides.

Craig Stevens riding clinics all start with a theory lecture. Why?

Because in our modern competition based riding culture, organizations have sprung up the world over to create a homogenous international system for riding. This means that people are usually only familiar with the homogenous school of equitation promoted by the various international dressage federations. The aids, in this system, are based in opposition-- the hand regulates the energy that the leg or spur creates. What Craig will be teaching you comes from a line of trainers who do not work in opposition. We do not use the same language with the horse that is the common parlance, and you need to understand the difference in the "grammar" to explore the possibilities in this different language.

But...won't that confuse my horse?

No. The French classical work is based on the way horses move, and the way the horse works emotionally and psychologically. You and your horse will be working very calmly and addressing very simple ideas to start to explore the exquisite sense of touch, the give and take, that is classical riding. As your tact improves and you and the horse begin to understand one another, the conversation develops in depth and scope.

I have never taken any lessons, or I'm really a beginner, or I just don't know much about dressage-- should I wait to attend a clinic until I know something?

No, come as you are and don't worry. That fear is such a common feeling in riding these days, but it's not necessary here. Everyone is learning, and Craig's clinics are open to riders from all levels.

Will he ride my horse in the clinic if I ask?

Craig will, at his discretion, ride horses for participants. It always baffles him that people do ask for that service, but those of us who watch the clinics regularly learn from seeing the possibilities open up for our old friends. We've seen backyard horses suddenly look like FEI prospects, and FEI prospects suddenly look like finished horses-- which is at once humbling and exciting. So don't be shy to ask, if you'd like...but do be clear that Craig may opt to say "no".

I only want to audit. Can I skip the lecture?

No. You are welcome to audit but the theory lecture must come first. The reason we do not allow observers who have not been educated in what we're doing is that when people don't understand the basis for the work, they can't evaluate what they are seeing. Our clinics are safe places for riders to learn, in part, because they are safe places to look like you HAVE something to learn. Craig's clinics are not about making you look like you know how to ride, they are about exposing where your underlying problems are and correcting them, gently and slowly and on a calm horse. Over time, this builds a seriously brilliant ability in both horse and rider-- but at first it doesn't look like much. Because it won't look familiar, when people who don't know what we're doing watch, too often very bizarre things get said in very public places by people who really haven't any idea what was being done. And people's feelings get hurt. We don't like that.

Why no video taping?

See the comment above-- videos taken of lessons wind up on the internet without context. Learning should be a safe and relatively private experience.

So what will my very first session be like?

Most likely you'll work with Craig on exploring the rein aids to start with. Where does each rein effect put the horse's weight, and why does that matter in practice? How do I get a broad turn, a more concise one? How lightly can I use the rein? How do I make my communication clear to my horse? How do I slow and stop my horse, how do I speed him up-- if not using oppositional aids? Craig will work with you to play with the feel and touch and interaction that creates the groudnwork for a great connection between you and your horse.