Ride Horses with Awareness and Feel

Eleven years ago, Joep and Tineke Bartels began the Academy Bartels—a unique equestrian enterprise focused on the development of innovative educational projects for the betterment of horse and rider. There, with the support of the FÈdÈration Equestre Internationale (FEI), Dutch Equestrian Federation, internationally prominent experts in horse behavior and training, and top dressage coaches and riders from around the world, they have studied the body and mind of both horse and rider. The result? A progressive method for refining communication between the two, thus achieving top levels of performance more readily.

Often considered an instinctive gift born to some riders, while a “Holy Grail” always to be sought but never to be found for others, “feel” is here deconstructed into conceivable and achievable parts:

• Learning to communicate with a herd animal and creature of flight
• Evolving self–knowledge and self–control
• Developing body language, coordination, and an independent seat
• Learning to give effective aids with the “question–and–answer” method

With the Bartels’ step–by–step method, every rider can advance from consciously positioning herself and her horse to naturally, easily and beautifully riding on “auto–pilot.”