Klaus Balkenhol: Riding with Horsemanship - by Roland Blum

Raised on a farm in the countryside, Klaus Balkenhol's childhood was influenced by close contact with all kinds of animals on a daily basis.

At that time, horses were primarily used for work, and before young Klaus could go riding, his horse had already put in a day's work in the fields. As was typical in rural areas at the time, riders rode these same horses in dressage, showjumping and eventing competitions.

When he became a police squad officer, horses were once more his working partners, and with the police horse Rabauke, he entered into the world of Grand Prix Dressage.

He trained dozens of horses to the highest level, and with his service horse, Goldstern, he was at the top in world rankings for many years, including winning two team gold medals in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games.

As a trainer of horses and riders, Klaus follows the rules of classical riding and horsemanship. His most important focus is always to maintain the basic gaits of the horse.

And his credo is to do what is natural for the horse, using fairness in working with the equine partner.

In this DVD we get to understand what makes Klaus Balkenhol the exceptional rider and trainer he is, and how his training philosophy developed.

We also see him work and compete the two horses that made him. We watch him training Rabuake as a young man and riding out on police duties.

We also understand the challenges Klaus faced during his rise to the top in Germany.

Klaus rides the amazing Goldstern at home and we watch him winning team gold at the Olympics. Klaus Balkenhol's genius is evident throughout, as is his compassion for and understanding of horses at the very deepest level.

Available at www.horseboyworld.com