Max Goodman

13/07/2025

Per usual the tech in my life has decided to collapse at a fairly inopportune time. Just when I decided to send all the participants their photos from the Pippa clinic, my phone decided it no longer sent photos, and my computer promplty refused to turn on (RIP). With a replacement computer finally on board, I can type at last! (I am an elder millennial, typing this much on the phone is not do-able…)

So, to recap. We were very graciously hosted once again by whose insulated covered was a godsend through both the sweltering heat and torrential rain this clinic offered. Participants ranged from rescue ponies to working ranch horses to FEI warmbloods, which gave Pippa a great diversity of levels to address and engage. Every pair made good progress over the course of the three days, and left with some valuable insights for future schooling at home. It is wonderful for auditors to see horses just starting out in Legerete, and follow their progress through to the higher level work, and rare to get so much diversity in one clinic. I’ll include a few images of some of the participating riders and their horses below, and discuss a bit what their lessons covered.

For myself, I was feeling a bit stagnant with Lionel. With his conformation, and his natural downhill balance in canter, combined with my hyper mobility and lack of proprioception in some areas, we have been working on series lead changes for more than a year. While we can accomplish multiple changes, it’s hard to do them with a regular number of strides between, as rebalancing in time can be difficult, and Lionel will opt to wait to change until he is in a good balance and can offer a clean change, unless I really force the issue, which then gives us muddled or worse late changes behind.

So before this clinic I had been working very hard using a small ball to help me with keeping my seat deeper in the canter, and as a cue for proprioception when I think I am weighting a part of my seat, but I am actually not. I lose the ball when I come too far away from the tack, so it has really helped in this regard. I can’t really feel progress, but the ball helps me to know when my seat is correct, and Pippa thought there was some improvement.

We switched Lionel back into the double bridle, which he hasn’t gone much in since his first education to it about three years ago. It definitely helped with jaw mobility, poll flexion, and I was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t seem to cost us too much in impulsion as it once did prior (which is why I switched back to the snaffle in the first place). We worked a lot in renvers and with transitions within pirouettes to really give the balance and lightness of contact we need for the series changes. We added a half pirouette and a change on the way toward a wall, to stop Lionel from the idea of leaping forward. This is an exercise I will definitely play around with in the next few months.

We also were able to demonstrate a much better diagonalization in piaffe - something that we have struggled to do in an arena setting in the past. We will start to use piaffe throughout the ride similar to rein back to help find better collection in the exercises we’re schooling, since now Lionel has a better idea of how to really fold the haunch and diagonalize. Some brief snippets from our lessons are in this video (sorry for the camera quality…did I mention technology is my nemesis 😀 )

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLqkBXysCjI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MWh3ZjY3a2hicWtoag==

As usual, the clinic was over too soon, but I am very excited we get to see Pippa a third time this year. Please join us if you can for her clinic at the very end of September: 9/30 - 10/2 No sign up available yet, but feel free to express your interest via private message if you’d like to reserve a riding spot.

06/07/2025

Sometimes, scrolling through social media, it can feel like classical dressage is only for the chosen few: perfectly turned-out horses, elegant riders in spotless outfits, and expensive tack gleaming in indoor arenas straight out of a photoshoot.

For everyday riders, those of us with hairy cobs, uneven fields, or budgets that don’t stretch to top-level gear, it can all feel very out of reach. Like we don’t belong in that world.

But here’s the thing: it shouldn't be exclusive. Its roots lie in understanding, lightness, balance, and partnership, qualities that any rider, on any horse, can explore.

That’s one of the many reasons I’ve been drawn to the School of Légèreté. It’s a system that’s based on classical principles, but it’s also practical, logical, and open to all. You don’t need a certain type of horse, arena, or background. What you do need is a willingness to learn, think, and ask questions.

Of course, classical dressage isn’t without its divisions. The internet can be full of “I follow this person, so you must be wrong” arguments. And it’s ironic to see people say they follow the French classical tradition, while rejecting the work of Philippe Karl, when much of what he teaches comes directly from the writings and methods of the old French masters. He’s never claimed to have invented anything, he’s just made their work systematic, transparent, and teachable.

Yes, he uses high hands at times. So did the masters. If we say we follow a tradition but then reject the very techniques those masters used, aren’t we just picking and choosing the parts that are comfortable? You can’t claim to follow classical ideals but leave out the bits that challenge your assumptions.

In the end, it’s not about labels. It’s about results. About building horses who are supple, balanced, and willing without force, without gadgets, and without losing their spirit.

So if you’ve ever felt like classical dressage isn’t for your horse, or your set-up, think again. There’s another way. And it’s not only possible, it’s deeply rewarding.

So if you’re on this journey, maybe feeling unsure, maybe riding a “non-traditional” horse in a borrowed arena or a field with tufty grass, know that you’re not alone. You do belong in the world of classical dressage. Not the polished, filtered version, but the real one: grounded in centuries of wisdom, made accessible by teachers like Philippe Karl, and kept alive by everyday riders like you and me who choose patience, kindness, and clarity over quick fixes. Keep going, this path is for you!

25/06/2025

Good news! We will be adding one more Working Student to our team in the upcoming months. As our program is growing, we are changing the structure of the working student position. It will now be a two year program, with working students overlapping one year with their predecessor. Here's how it will look:

Year one: Working Student

For the first year, the Working Student works alongside the Assistant Trainer and Head Trainer to accomplish all regular barn tasks: mucking out, rebedding, hays, waters, turn in, turn out, grooming, tacking, bathing etc. As their skillset expands, this will also include warming up and cooling down horses, lungeing, academic work in hand, and hacking. There may be opportunities to compete, depending on the horses in the training program's needs at the time. The working student will work 5 - 6 days a week (if there are shows, clinics etc the schedule can shift) and in exchange will receive:

- private, furnished studio apartment
- $200/month stipend to cover utilities (anything over $200 the student pays)
- daily riding, usually daily lessons, on days when I am not there the assistant trainer may teach the working student, or they may hack.
- Weekly stipend of $200 *or* Weekly stipend of $100 plus board for one horse (including feed, shavings, hay, but not farrier, supplements, vet etc)
- Two weeks paid vacation, to be coordinated at least a month ahead of time
- annual bonus

Year Two: Assistant Trainer

If the Working Student opts to stay on, they will be offered the role of Assistant Trainer. In this role, they help to manage the next incoming Working Student, and take a greater role in training and riding the horses. They work 5 - 6 days per week, depending on the schedule. If they do not opt to bring their own horse, they may elect to bring in an outside training or sales horse agreed upon with Head Trainer for additional income. They may also begin to teach limited lessons, as we have availability. Networking with other professionals within our sphere, along with shadowing and doing trial days with them is encouraged (saddle fitters, body workers, other trainers, etc). At the end of the second year, we hope to have the next position lined up for our departing Assistant Trainers. In exchange the Assistant Trainer gets:

- private studio apartment and all utilities free of charge
- board for one horse (own horse or training project) including farrier
- weekly stipend of $250
- 10% profit sharing from Head Trainer's commissions on horse sales
- daily riding plus daily lesson
- opportunities to compete where appropriate (potentially free of charge, if on LOTW sales horses)
- Two weeks paid vacation to be coordinated at least a month ahead of time
- annual bonus

25/06/2025

Hi all! Unfortunately due to illness one rider has had to cancel their spot for our Pippa Callanan clinic next week. If you have any interest in dipping your toe in to this French Classical stuff but don't have the time, funds etc to do the full clinic, you can now join us for just a single lesson. If you want to jump at the chance to do all three days, this is possible too. I have reformatted the tickets into a single lesson option, pick between 1 and 3 lessons, I will be in touch with you to schedule.

This clinic will take place at RiverWind Farm in Oxford NC, and runs from July 1 - 3, just one week away!! Day stalls are available as well as overnight stabling. Auditors are of course always welcome!

Join us as a variety of horses and riders from different disciplines and experience levels apply the principles of French Classical dressage to improve the balance, relaxation, and lightness of their horses. All are welcome to learn in this supportive and kind environment. Hope to see you there!

  Lake o' the Woods Sporthorses along with our gracious facility host, River Wind Farm, are proud to host visiting clinician Pippa Callanan (Click her name for her full website and bio).  Pippa has a long history of study with French Classical Masters Philippe Karl and Bettina Drummond, among...

24/06/2025

Deutsch/ Français/ English
Bitte teilt diesen Post so viel wie möglich, denn unsere Praktikantin hat uns kurzfristig verlassen. Dieser Platz ist ab Anfang August für drei Monate frei.
Wenn Du also mit Deinem Pferd zusammen Lust
hast auf eine intensive Lernzeit, dann melde Dich.
[email protected]

Solange kannst Du nicht?
Ab wann und für wie lange könntest Du denn kommen?
Melde Dich!
Zögere nicht!
Fragen kostet nichts!
Du wirst von Philippe Karl oder Bea Borelle persönlich 5 mal die Woche unterrichtet.

Merci de partager ce post autant que possible, car notre stagiaire nous a quittés à la dernière minute. Cette place est disponible pour trois mois à partir de début août.
Alors si tu as envie de venir
avec ton cheval pour une période d'apprentissage intensive, n'hésite pas à nous contacter.
[email protected]

Tu ne peux pas rester aussi longtemps ?
A partir de quand et pour combien de temps pourrais-tu venir ?
Annonce-toi !
N'hésite pas !
Demander ne coûte rien !
Tu apprendras des cours avec Philippe Karl ou Béa Borelle en personne 5 fois par semaine.

Please share this post as much as possible, as our intern has left us at short notice. This position is available for three months from the beginning of August.
So, if you are interested in an intensive learning period with your horse
, please get in touch.
[email protected]

You can't stay that long?
When and for how long could you come?
Get in touch!
Don't hesitate!
Asking costs nothing!
You will be taught by Philippe Karl or Bea Borelle personally 5 times a week.

23/06/2025

From Megan Malan with whom I have the pleasure to collaborate this upcoming weekend:

Hi folks-- we have one sudden opening at camp, and if you are interested in bringing your horse to any ONE MORNING of these activities, message Megan Malan asap:

Thursday am from 730-11: one-hour cattle work sessons, groups of three

Friday morning WE obstacles work , similar times/format

Saturday morning school your L1 or L2 dressage test with Max, then ride for a score with Megan 730am -12 noon (two arenas). Please, we will have these memorized previously, so try to at least be familiar with your test -- which can be found in usawe.org, "Rules," "Appendix A."

$100.

Send a message to learn more