Rudolf Zeilinger, long time pupil of Willi Schultheis and instructor of Olympic and world champion horses, is known for his sensible and sensitive way of schooling dressage horses. His horses are fascinating to watch because of their easy, relaxed way of going and their natural enthusiasm for work, which he preserves and encourages. His horses are by the age of seven years routinely, fluently and naturally performing Grand Prix movements.
Schooling a Horse Part 1: Lungeing and Breaking in.
The first part of this series of films shows the first steps of lungeing and riding the young horse, considering always their level of training. It is astonishing to see how fast the young horse develops confidence and relaxes - a logical consequence of the calm and consistent work of Zeilinger.
Running time approx 55 mins.
Schooling a Horse Part 2:
Basic Training in the First Year.
The aim of basic training of the young horse is to systematically school a newly broken horse in such a way to create a sound foundation for later specialisation. In the second part of this series of films Zeilinger offers the spectator clear insight into the first years training of his dressage horses under the rider and also presents a very practical view of a horse's first experience in young riding horse competitions.
Running time approx 58 mins .
Schooling a Horse Part 3:
Lateral Work as a Key to Success.
Motivated and supple horses upto Grand Prix level - for Rudolf Zeilinger lateral work is an essential element in a horse's dressage training. In the third part of this series, this successful rider and trainer demonstrates lateral work with his own horses, explaining when to begin, what requirements have to be fulfilled and how he works individually with horses that vary greatly in temperament as well as training level. In this very impressive presentation the viewer is able to experience how all of Zeilinger's horses achieve constantly increasing levels of elasticity, impulsion and suppleness as a result of lateral work.
Running time approx 53 mins .
Schooling a Horse Part 4:
The Counter Canter, Flying Changes and Canter Pirouettes.
Rudolf Zeilinger once again affords us the opportunity to see how he works with his horses. Learning to do the flying change, for example, is something which many horses do not find easy. Zeilinger shows us how even difficult horses can learn to do this lesson without experiencing stress in the process. Furthermore he clearly demonstrates his entire canter work up to the level of perfect half passes, canter pirouettes and flying changes from one stride to the next.
Running time approx 56 mins .
Schooling a Horse Part 5:
Achieving Collection, Piaffe and Passage.
Collection is the magic ingredient which allows the horse's movement, with continued training to become more elevated and expressive. Even if one does not necessarily aspire to the lofty goal of Grand Prix test, this DVD will provide valuable help to improve the horses movement in trot and canter, to increase the smoothness of the steps and to create the ultimate elasticity. Of course, the ultimate dream of every dressage rider is the perfect Piaffe and Passage, with the horse dancing apparently effortlessly and with deceptive lightness. There are different ways of teaching these High School movements. Here Rudolf Zeilinger shows his sensitive training method and provides interesting hints and examples. This DVD will be a valuable guide for both amateurs and professionals alike.
Running time approx 56 mins.
This series of films provides a comprehensive, sympathetic and systematic way of training dressage horses from the arrival of an unbroken horse to his yard up to the Grand Prix horse. Although the name Rudolf Zeilinger is not particularly well known in this country he truly is a remakable and extra-ordinary trainer who still successfully competes on the world stage. There is no 'timetable' as such in his training system as he firmly believes that a horse put under stress cannot learn, therefore each horse must progress at his own pace, making his own mistakes and learning from them. A horse that makes a mistake must not be punished simply repeat the lesson until he has worked out for himself what is required. He also firmly believes that 'gadgets' are detrimentel to the training of horses, no side reins, draw reins etc as these discourage the horse from achieving true self-carriage. We also see Rudolf working with a number of students throughout the series which shows exactly what is required of the rider when schooling a horse.
Language: English and German.
PAL format