Philippe Karl founded the Ecole de Légèreté (School of Lightness) in 2004 in order to pass on his philosophy and methods to committed and qualified riding teachers. The School runs training courses around the world through which already experienced riding teachers may gain the highly respected licence authorising them to teach the way of Légèreté in the name of Philippe Karl.

 

As this training concept is legally protected by patent against plagiarism, distortions or arbitrary, unauthorised use, no one may refer to the Ecole de Légèreté or the teaching of Philippe Karl without having received the corresponding licence.

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The founding principle of the Ecole de Légèreté is the absolute respect of the horse. In this concept, Légèreté (lightness) is not a declaration of intent of a poetic or esoteric nature, but a philosophy bringing together clear, effective and measurable equestrian concepts.

 

The philosophy of Légèreté excludes any use of force or coercive artificial aids (including side reins, draw reins, tightly closed nosebands etc.), but includes all types of horse and takes an interest in all equestrian disciplines. It provides an understandable and reliable training plan with clear principles, efficient methods and procedures that fully respect the nature of the horse. It thus allows any seriously motivated rider access to high school equitation, even with a perfectly ordinary horse.

 

The Ecole de Légèreté takes its inspiration from the masters who have contributed to this equestrian philosophy: Xenophon, Fiaschi, La Broue, Pluvinel, La Guérinière, Dupaty de Clam, Hünersdorf, Freiherr von Sind, Baucher, Raabe, L’Hotte, Faverot de Kerbrech, Beudant, Oliveira etc. It is based on in-depth knowledge of the horse and is ready to re-analyse and improve itself with all types of progress in this respect (anatomy, physiology, locomotion, balance, psychology, ethology).

 

Lastly, it has the aim of getting the best from any horse and fulfilling the rider through the constant search for efficiency via the minimum use of means.