"... - so excited I hardly know what to tell you first! I’ve learned so much I’m on sensory overload! As some of you know, I’ve been looking for a dressage coach to help me with ridden dressage in order to improve my carriage horse’s driven dressage...I took Eclipse over to JP’s...that’s when the fun started!...First...he put me in one of his saddles and I was totally amazed! I’ve ridden horses for 40 years, hunt seat, western, and saddle seat, but this saddle is different than anything I’ve ever experienced...put me exactly where I need to be...fit my horse like it was made especially for him, and he moved like he never has before. It was a WAY GOOD thing... JP is a wonderful and outgoing teacher; he explains everything he’s doing and why, and tells entertaining stories the whole time. He rewards the horses the instant they do what he’s asking...the first day JP found Eclipse’s little problems and worked on them...got him using his hindquarters the entire time (one of MY main goals)...worked on his balance...got him to not work so much on his forehand and not to ‘fall in’ on his turns...the next day he remembered all his lessons and I sat on the fence with tears in my eyes watching my horse do shoulder-ins, half -passes, a collected trot with suspension and then that beautiful extended trot with his legs going straight out in front of him and his hind legs underneath and driving forward...something I’ve never seen my horse do...to see him do what the upper-level Warmbloods do, and with his ears forward, with all his Morgan type and beauty...just took my breath away and my eyes are brimming just writing about it...since those few days in June, I also attended JP’s clinic in July, which was co-sponsored by the San Diego Morgan club in San Diego and since then I have won all my Morgan show driving classes, as wel as the first open driving class I’ve competed in. That’s results!! I can say without any reservations , any horse and rider will benefit from working with JP and his clinics are WELL WORTH the money and time invested!

"...and I, like Ally, had tears in my eyes the second day JP worked with Diplomat...he’s learning to relax, collect and bend...his ears are forward and he’s responsive...this goes WAY beyond what most peoples’ concept of dressage is...after 15 years of showing hunt seat, western, park and roadster...What Diplomat and I are both learning will help us in WHATEVER discipline we end up in...He’s a happier and more comfortable horse. I also have a new understanding of riding and training horses...if there’s any way you can make it to one of JP’s clinics you absolutely should!! I’ll be there for his clinic in July, riding in my new "JP Saddle"!!

REVIVING TRADITIONS ...

TROPHAEUM MUNDI INT'L'S

(pronounce it TRO-FAY-UM MUNDEE)

CLASSICAL DRESSAGE

MASTER CLASS

BY Nancy M. Brannon

Centuries ago, classical riding was the art form by which aristocracy showed their horses and demonstrated their riding skills. The demonstrations of that traditional riding style and its horses have dwindled tremendously. Yet, to some extent, those methods of training survive and are very sound basics which should be used today.

On April 28-30, 1995 more than 40 horse enthusiasts from Sweden, Canada, Australia, France and the United States, including actresses Darryll Hannah and Bo Derek with her husband John, joined for TROPHAEUM MUNDI (TM) INT'L'S first offering of a seminar called the CLASSICAL DRESSAGE MASTER CLASS. The seminar gives practical demonstrations on training the young colt through High School and is taught by TM's Founder and Director, Mr. Jean-Philippe Giacomini (or 'J.P.', if you find it easier).

One participant was Ms. Isabel Ballerna, of Carefree Sporthorses of Carefree, Arizona, who said "I went to learn more about the Giacomini way of riding and training and came away knowing more than I ever hoped to learn, especially about communication between the horse and rider. J.P. was a fantastic teacher and his presentations were thorough and totally professional. He showed us many of his techniques from imprinting, starting the young horse, handling stallions, working on the lunge line and long lines and followed with many examples of what classical riding should look like. At each stage, he showed us the appropriate equipment and demonstrated how to use it. The "Giacomini way of riding" seems to always produce an active and happy horse that is lovely to watch! Overall, we were treated like royalty throughout our stay." Isabel goes on to describe "J.P. advocates soft communication with horses. He emphasize that we should give great consideration to the way a horse thinks and reminded us that, from a horse's viewpoint, man is his natural predator. Because of that, horses (who are the prey) need to be totally in tune with humans for the sake of their safety. As a result, the horse’s mood always reflects the emotions of their handler and/or rider. When we are mentally clear on our desires, the horse will respond and give willingly to what we ask for. Developing a good mental and emotional relationship with a horse enables him to best understands all that is asked of him, remains alert and performs his work with goodwill and finesse, (a physical expression of submission).

All this indicates the importance of instilling domination over the horse; Domination has nothing to do with bullying or punishment. It means that man, like the lead mare or stallion in the herd, must be highest on the pecking order; the horse then becomes submissive to the trainer and the social order is at peace."

TM is a non-profit organization established in 1992 which is dedicated to providing an alternative (to FEI) dressage based on the ancient riding traditions and teachings of the masters. TM's Classical Academy of Equestrian Art and Equine Science located at the Caliente Stud Farm in Tijuana, Mexico (just 15 minutes from San Diego) is where this is all taking place. Isabel goes on to explain, "The training methods of dressage reveal the horse's perfect balance and, therefore, are extremely valuable to improve horses for any discipline - jumping, reining, roping, racing... For that reason, seminar participants included warmblood and hunter/jumper owners, some trainers and owners of Spanish-bred horses. The purpose of the CLASSICAL DRESSAGE MASTER CLASS is to show people interested in classical riding what a practical training model should look like. The seminar demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the European traditions developed by the great masters: Pluvinel, La Gueriniere, Baucher, D'Aure, L'Hotte, Steinbrecht, Beudant and more recently the late Nuno Oliveira."

J.P. Giacomini, also an expert on equestrian history, studied classical riding for about five years in Portugal, first with Master Oliveira, then during several years at the Portuguese National Stud of Alter Real. For more than 25 years, J.P. has dedicated his professional and personal life to promoting and reviving the classical riding traditions, and thus evolved the birth of this unique organization called TROPHAEUM MUNDI. Clearly, TM is destined to revive, if not revolutionize not only the way we train and ride our horses but the degree in which we can find pure enjoyment by doing so through the classical way.

TM’s mission is to promote all the baroque type breeds (like the Arabian, Andalusian, Morgan, Saddlebred etc,) who are decidely not getting a fair shake in todays competition, by offering them a better suited format which includes Freestyles, Pas de Deux, Quadrilles and even fun Equestrian Games. The arena is smaller and competitors are offered their choice of costumes, saddles, bits, music and the opportunity to choreograph classical movements. People interested in adding the TM Classical Riding option to their association or shows can call or write to TM for more information.

The CLASSICAL DRESSAGE MASTER CLASSES are regularly scheduled at the TM Classical Academy of Equestrian Art and Equine Science. The TM Academy is accepting both Working Students and Regular Students, produces videos, off-site clinics and numerous articles, and is also a good place to look for acquiring a classically trained horse.

Contact TM at : P.O. Box 590792, Houston, TX 77259,

phone (281) 286-1659

WHERE WE'VE BEEN SEEN

by Patty Jacobs

About fifty aficionados of the Iberian horse who traveled from as far as Sweden, France and Italy, joined J.P. Giacomini for the three day "Classical Dressage Master Class" produced by TROPHAEUM MUNDI's Classical Academy of Equestrian Art and Equine Science. The Jockey Club at Caliente Stud Farm in Tijuana, Mexico provided a picturesque backdrop where we were warmly welcomed individually and settled into a relaxed environment for what was to become the most valuable educational experience to date for us in understanding and training the Iberian horse.

From the outset we were captivated by J.P.'s remarkable knowledge of European history, geography and science. Noteworthy, is his understanding of the origins of the modern horse breeds and the relationship of the Iberian horse to them. Amusingly, the attenders by the third day of the seminar were able to apply the same principles they had been shown, e.g., recognition of pony or Arabian characteristics, in order to analyze examples of horses of unknown bloodlines for conformation and breeding potential.

For the saddle initiation and under-saddle work we were all impressed with J.P.'s working students: Janina Holmberg of Stockholm, Sweden, who had been a rider with the Royal Lippizaner show and Tim Forster of Sydney, Australia, who came with a degree in Equine Science from Charles Stuart University and experience in breeding, training show jumpers and breaking young horses. The combination of Tim astride the green horse and J.P. lecturing and instructing him on the leadline, provided a secure and trusting environment for the recently acquired young Portuguese and Spanish stock that are to become the high schooled performers of which we dream. Here, with the assistance of ten grooms, they manage the training of about 36 (mostly Iberian ) stallions and a breeding program of about 65 Iberian mares and their foals. Innovative in the breeding program is the emphasis on crossing the more elegant Spanish Andalusian with the more functional Lusitano to produce the ideal performance horse for classical dressage.

Observation and experience have already shown us that there is more than one correct way for breaking and training young horses, but there are common threads running through successful training programs. J.P. willingly and openly shared his philosophy, his understanding of horse behavior and demonstrated his training techniques. The simple principles of preventing evasion, using repetition to learn the exercise or eliminate fear on the part of the horse and completion or emotional acceptance of the movement were demonstrated. He began with unschooled young horses on the lunge line, and closed with classical dressage in traditional Portuguese attire and tack with a fully mature high schooled twelve year old, demonstrating passage, piaffer and the Spanish walk in the long shadows of the late afternoon. What we read in books of Portuguese and Spanish horses was clarified before us: docility, counterbalanced with brilliance, domination laced with trust, suppleness, rhythm, balance. Dancing horses...beauty in motion...an unforgettable experience.

Excerpt from the "Andalusian" Magazine, May/June, 1995 Issue

To the Editor:

The following is a reflection on the wonderful seminar on the Iberian Horse given recently by Mr. Jean-Philippe Giacomini at Caliente Race Track in Tijuana. Mexico. My name is Dr. Barbara Driscoll and I was told about the seminar by my friend Mrs. Rosemary Bosque, who is a member of the International Andalusian Horse Association and who had learned about the seminar from an advertisement in the "Andalusian" magazine. She and I have been friends for 20 years and spent much of that time riding and enjoying horses together. After taking some time off for marriage and care, Rosemary began to look around for a way back in to the horse world and became fascinated with the Iberian breed. I was also interested in starting riding again and we had taken years ago, so were thinking about getting involved in with horses who would be good for that discipline. After speaking with Mr. Giacomini on the phone the week before the seminar, Rosemary convinced me that this would be a great experience for us. As usual, Rosemary was right!

The seminar was overwhelmingly educational and though provoking. As an introduction to classical dressage training methods and as a terrific commercial for the Iberian horse, the seminar was organized and presented just right. There was a wonderful flow of ideas and each session built very well upon the previous session. One felt as if one was figuring things out for oneself, rather than being rather skillfully taught. (Now I know how the horses feel when they are learning from J.P.!). It helped crystallize the sort of vague ideas, lessons and impressions I’ve had of handling horses throughout my last 25 years or so of amateur owning and riding. I wish I’d had lessons like this a long time ago and I’m sure my horses wish it even more!

A short opening session on history and comparison of breeds was terrific. Unlike many other parts of the seminar, this could perhaps have been read in a book, but it wouldn’t, I’m sure, have nearly the same impact. Even good books can’t compete with a good storyteller. I had always been told in the beginning was the Arabian horse. "Not so." said J.P., and went on to prove it. This short course helped wrench my thoughts around from all I had been taught about how Arabian horses are the foundation of all that is good in horse breeding. Suddenly I began to see that many of the characteristics we were fond of, particularly in the older American type breeds, could not possibly be traced to an Arabian influence. This part of the seminar changed my mind so dramatically that, in the last month and a half since, I have not looked at horses the same way. It is much easier now to pick out the Iberian influence in so many types of horses and to see that those behaviors and characteristics which we have always admired in classical type horses come from a contribution of Iberian blood. The talk piqued my interest thoroughly, and made me aware that I have some catching up to do on the history of the Iberian peninsula and the use of the Iberian horse throughout history. The history lesson was followed by a live comparison of the breeds which illustrated this important point perfectly, as there is so much more to an animal than can be seen in a photograph. Especially intriguing was the animals’ reaction to each other, which, as a demonstration of behavior was truly striking. The memory of that session leads me to express my admiration for Iberian horses. I realize training is tremendously important in shading character but the demonstration over and over of the capacity of these horses to display brilliance and fire when asked and docility and kindness also when asked was very eye opening. I had witnessed Andalusian (though never Lusitano until here) horses in performance, and had always admired their beauty and ability, but this seminar gave a non-owner like me the chance to see them on-stage, so to speak, and that is the basis on which a horse can be sold to anyone who is the least bit attracted to qualities other than surface beauty. I think any person who loves horses would be impressed by seeing the animal in this setting, and anyone who wasn’t supremely loyal to only one breed could be convinced pretty easily that owning and enjoying an Iberian horse would be a wonderful thing to do. As far as being an advertisement for the Iberian horse, this type of seminar worked very well.

What most certainly cannot be described well in books (at least not the ones I’ve read) was the demonstration of how these training methods work. To see changes happen in the horse’s body, in front of your eyes, in real time, was one of the most valuable aspects of the seminar. This was true for every horse that was worked and the progress achieved in each session was very obvious whether the point of training was a small incremental increase in suppleness and concentration as with a Saddlebred stallion worked with long lines, or a large feat from essentially unbroken to manageable and prepared to listen and get down to work, as with a young green stallion, the lesson was clearly demonstrated and communicated to both horse and audience. Mr. Giacomini said that riding and working with horses is a lot like dancing, and that is true, not just as a description of the interaction between human and horse, but also in the technique which is most successfully taught and passed on as an oral and visual tradition. While a book is a wonderfully useful tool, it cannot take the place of live demonstrations. The next best thing would be a video of the training session, in which those interactions between trainer and horse and the changes occurring in the horse’s abilities, can be observed from moment to moment.

The work with the Saddlebred, while essentially a lesson on how to use long lines, also served to illustrate several other important points. I was startled to see how stiff and inattentive, though still flashy and pretty, the Saddlebred was, in contrast to the Iberian horses. The contrast was even more stark when the horse was being worked than when he was brought out for the breed comparison study. As I mentioned previously, the change in the Saddlebred over a long period of work was subtle but obvious, and this session demonstrated how this kind of work can benefit any horse, not just the wonderfully responsive Iberian horses. It was easy to see how much effort was required with the Saddlebred to get even a small response and one got the impression that much energy had been expended on a Spanish hose, he would have been doing Airs Above the Ground by the end of the session, instead of simply moving around the ring not bent quite so much to the outside. This brings up the last, most valuable lesson from that session, and one that is the hardest for so many people to learn, myself especially. When the Saddlebred had given in and given all he was capable of at that moment he was put away. When he was brought out a second time, his carriage, though still not ideal was noticeably better than it had been at the beginning of the first session. This was the best illustration possible of how ending on a good note makes for lessons that always move one step forward instead of one step forward and two steps backward. Thus, one of the most difficult principles of training was graphically illustrated, as I mentioned before, in real time, something that could never be picked up from a book.

Our group of about 40 also enjoyed touring the barns at Caliente. The barns were in terrific shape and we could tell that Mr. Giacomini’s staff took great pride in their work. This was most obviously manifested in the condition of the horses. I don’t care how much sparkly stuff you spray on top of a horse, you’ll never get the deep rich coats these horses had without real care and conditioning. This was obvious in both the horses on display in the ring and the ones in the barns. WE viewed as many as 80 horses (or up to 100 if you count the wonderful 4 - 8 week old foals) and saw none that looked unhealthy of poorly cared for.

I make my living as a scientist, so that made a session on breeding (genotypes) and conformation and gaits (phenotypes) most interesting. Although some of the horses were at least 40 to 60% inbred, and should, according to conventional wisdom, be little monsters, the opposite was true. The compounding of good traits both physical and mental, really seemed to work and the products of this intelligent type of breeding were admirable. What we saw was clearly what good can result from controlled, intensive line breeding. Although the positive results of careful inbreeding wee clearly demonstrated we also saw some wonderful results of Andalusian/Lusitano crosses. A special favorite of Mr. Giacomini’s (and ours) was a big beautiful gray called ‘Dizgracie’, who was anything but a disgrace. Bred at Caliente, he was also accommodating enough to all the actress Ms. Darryl Hannah, a member of our group and a novice rider, to within minutes, coax him into a wonderful collected trot and a quite passable passage. Many of the ideas I’ve expressed here were developed while talking with the other folks who attended the seminar. What an interesting group of people! I learned a lot from them as well. I’d spent so much time away from horse people that I’d forgotten what an enjoyable group they can be. They all expressed the thought that this seminar gave them a renewed enthusiasm and courage to put Mr. Giacomini’s ideas into use in order to improve their horses and themselves. I’d also like to say that the seminar, for me at least, was very well run and organized. Everyone from Mr. Giacomini on down tot he food servers and shuttle drivers made us feel cared for. Everyone was unfailingly pleasant and helpful. The hotel was beautiful, the food was pretty spectacular and the staff was terrific. Both settings, the hotel and the track, made for a very beautiful and relaxing weekend. I’d like to thank Mr. Giacomini for a terrific experience that will stay with me as I move back into the horse world. Unfortunately, I will probably have to discover the cure for something (and patent it) before I can afford the kind of horse I really want, but I do think that the lessons learned this weekend can be be applied to the horses I’m more likely to run into at the present moment, and that made it quite worthwhile!

This seminar reinforced the idea that the Iberian horses are really something special. Although I have been exposed to many different breeds of horses and have worked pretty intimately with Arabians, Saddlebreds and Quarter horses, I must say that no breed as a whole has impressed me more than Andalusians and Lusitanos. Apart from their obvious physical beauty, I have never seen a better behaved, more malleable, people oriented group of horses. to get all that in the same package with a horse that can also be a fiery and brilliant performer just goes to show what many years of careful and thoughtful breeding can do. It only took a couple of eye (and mind) opening days of this seminar to convince me that my next horse should be an Iberian hose!

Sincerely, Barbara Driscoll, Ph.D., Los Angeles, California

This Classical Dressage Master Class Seminar is available in a set of ten videotapes through the Trophaeum Mundi Foundation. Call 281-286-1659 for a complete list of articles and information.