"It’s so cold even the video camera has to wear a sweater," Klaus joked late Monday afternoon. Although the weather was not as inviting as Southern California’s reputation would have you believe, the atmosphere at the USDF Trainers Conference certainly made up for it. Klaus Balkenhol’s encouraging demeanor set the stage for an open interactive discussion among the participants.

Klaus’ message was absolutely clear throughout both the two days in California and the two days in Florida. He emphasized and reemphasized that the horse must understand what is being asked. "It will always be successful if the horse is relaxed and confident," prompted Klaus. "Everything must be done with certainty; the rider knows what is expected and accepts no less." "Consistency is most important – do not disturb the horse." Then he showed the participants just how it is done. He rode every horse and without exception, the horses and in turn their riders came to a new level of understanding. "Prepare and then follow through. Consistency," he reminded. His message was basic, straightforward, and yet all encompassing. He touted the use of the training scale again and again. "I’m always checking that the horse stays in rhythm, is relaxed, is in the correct contact, is impulsive, straight, and stays with me."

Maintenance of rhythm leading to the improvement of cadence in the half pass both at trot and canter was a hot topic of discussion at both conferences. It was cited that most horses show a much more active, fluid trot and/or canter prior to and after the half pass. This was demonstrated here also. Klaus dissected the ritual of using the shoulder-in to set up and exercise the half pass. He explained that in shoulder-in, the inside legs cross over the outside legs. In half pass, the reverse is true. The outside legs cross over the inside legs. This change in footfall is much too difficult for the horse to be able to maintain his rhythm and self-carriage. These two exercises should only be ridden together when linked by a volte. It is essential to take the forwardness and fluidity out of the straight movement into the half pass. This is best promoted by riding first onto the diagonal line and then developing the half pass. Careful attention to the rhythm, regularity, and commitment to both reins will improve the throughness of the horse in the half pass movement.

Another topic of great interest on both coasts was bitting and mouth problems. In Florida, Klaus mentioned that Suzi Peacock, a USDF Certified Instructor, brought her collection of curbs and bradoons for discussion. He emphasized that it was important the trainer be sensitive to the horse’s reaction to the different type of bits and to listen to the horse when he tells you which bit he prefers. He stressed that tongue problems present themselves when the connection to the rider’s hand is rough or is not stable. Mouth problems can only be solved by gymnasticizing of the horse’s back and bringing him to the hand.

Without exception each of the demonstration horses improved their way of going as Klaus encouraged all of the riders to bring their horses deeper in the neck. "Bring him back, make him deeper. Hand forward so he feels free. Only collect when he is relaxed." He commented that we must ride the horse deep enough to make sure that the back is working; only when the back stays up will the horse work through. When questioned about the deep frame and how it relates to showing, Klaus summarized that the horse cannot go into the test in this frame but he also cannot go into the test if he has not been worked in this frame. The proving point for the work is when the horse automatically stretches out and down when the rein is freed. All the horses did.

Klaus was supportive of all the riders. He said "Only who loses can also win." In other words, we’ve all made mistakes but we must all keep trying. On several occasions throughout both conferences when asked about specific aids or intonation of aids, Klaus led the audience back to the point that the horse is the best teacher. There are no recipes. Every horse will tell you what he needs - you need only listen. He praised the use of longe line lessons for seat improvement. The horse can only be sensitive to our aids if they are precise.

Each ride on one of his new mounts began with several minutes of tuning the horse. " I must make him sensitive to my aids," he repeated. As he sensitized the horse to his leg and rein aids, he carefully reinforced all positive active responses. His playful contact kept the horse in positive muscle tension as he developed relaxed collection.

Klaus reinforced at every opportunity that the nature of the horse must be protected. "If you have decided to dedicate your life to horses, then you must accept that you are a servant to the horse’s needs." "A grand prix horse must do everything that a young horse does." These are thought provoking statements that we should all ponder. Remember, our horses are mirrors of our work.