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In
the first half
of the 20th
century,
licensing for
all of Europe
(with the
exception of the
BHS) was mainly
done in Germany.
Tradition
dictated that
ALL vocations
be entered
through an
apprenticeship
of 3 to 4 years;
followed
by examinations.
Upon completion
of training,
tradesmen and
craftsmen were
given the title
of a
"journeyman".
The budding
professional
then traveled
throughout
Europe, seeking
to work for
different
masters;
eventually
returning to his
or her own home
towns to
establish
himself in
business and
finally, to earn
a master’s
license.
This was a
tradition that
had its
beginning
centuries
beforehand.
The
master was bound
by a contract in
which he would
promise to teach
the apprentice
ALL aspects of
the chosen
trade.
Upon getting his
or her
journeyman’s
papers, the
apprentice could
seek employment
anywhere in
Europe under any
master …
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Certification
as a
professional
meant
that
he /
she
had
attained
a
certain
standard
of
proficiency
and
that
masters
in the
field
had
acknowledged
that
he/
she
possessed
these
skills.
It
also
implied
that a
competent
level
of
expertise
could
be
expected.
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The
apprentice was
bound to stay
with the master
for 3 or 4 years
– working for
very little pay
– in some
instances, the
apprentice was required
to pay the
master a stipend
for the first
few years.
This system of
licensing made
European
craftsmen and
scientists
popular all
over the world .
An
impressive
example of a
standardized
system is the
dominance of
European
Warmbloods in
the equestrian
world market–
the result of a
systematic
breeding program
and licensing of
stallions;
keeping
meticulous
records of the
performance
of the
offspring.
When I
immigrated to
the United
States in 1958 -
I was astonished
at the freedom
of individuals
claiming to be
expert at
"this"
or
"that"
trade; some of
whom were highly
skilled - while
others were not.
Being an
enterprising
sort, I joined
in the chaos;
becoming at
times a VERY
(
… or not so)
efficient
professional
depending on my
career choice at
the time.
This freedom, I
am sure, in many
ways was
instrumental in
helping the
United States to
become the great
country that it
is today.
Good and
skillful people
ultimately
succeed,
while those
using shortcuts and inferior
techniques are
found out -
losing in the
end; but …
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… In
the
case
of
equestrian
endeavor,
horses
and
innocent
riding
students
ALWAYS
suffer
and
many
times
pay
dear
consequences
as the
result
of
their
dealings
with
"professional"
breeders,
trainers
and
instructors
who
simply
are
not
qualified.
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I have met many
who could have
become
outstanding
riders – but
are now tense
and afraid,
because after a
few riding
lessons taught
by
self-proclaimed
professionals
… the
experience of a
hospital
emergency room
had destroyed their dream.
Too
often a
successful
competitor feels
compelled or is
asked to share
his / her
perceived
knowledge in the
form of clinics.
International
competitors are
usually amateur
riders with a
professional
trainer for
themselves and
their horse.
Great
injustice is
done, therefore,
to the eager
public due to
the lack of a
basic knowledge
of principles
that a licensed
professional
spent years
learning.
As the result,
great numbers of
horses - from
the powerful
racehorse to the
young horse just
coming out of
pasture ; to
so-called
"super-horses"
competing at
very advanced
levels could
sing a lament of
misery and woe.
In
most countries
of the world
there seem to be
two classes of
riders : those
with the means
to fly to Europe
to study under
licensed
professionals
and buy horses
for competition
… and, in
contrast, those
who have no
viable
opportunity to
pursue proper
instruction or
the systematic
riding logic
that would
result in
correct
training.
I was privileged
to teach for 6
weeks in
Australia just
prior to the
Olympic Games
and would like
to share a
portion of a
letter sent to
me by an
Australian
horseperson.
She had been a
student of Nuno’
Oliviera in
Portugal :
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"…
Many,
very
thin
threads
brought
me to
your
clinic,
Robert.
I had
no
intention
of
taking
part
and
was
very
defensive.
I saw
that
what
you
were
teaching
was
true
to
the principles
that
Mr.
Oliviera
had
taught
me.
I saw
you
work
with
the
students
with
such
empathy
and was
impressed
by
your
knowledge,
experience,
honesty
and fascinated
by
your
insight.
I saw
your
connection
with
the
horses
and
suddenly
I felt
that
maybe
I
could
trust
you.
You
treated
me
with
such
gentleness,
kindness,
respect
and
intuition.
During
the
lesson
you
said
some
very
kind
and
complimentary
things.
What I
felt
at
that
moment
is
very
hard
to
express.
It was
like
an
echo
of
words
from
some
12
years
ago.
I
heard
Nuno
Oliveira
speaking
to me
again.
I
got
the
eerie
feeling
that
he was
speaking
to me,
to all
of us,
through
you.
I
don't
believe
that
people
should
or can
be
compared,
but, there
is a
quality,
a
greatness
of
spirit
that
you
share.
You
are a
fantastic
instructor,
Robert,
and
you
have
touched
my
life
in a
way
that can't
be put
into
words.
You
have
left
me feeling
as
though
I have
been in
contact
with
a
spirit
that
is old
and
familiar,
yet
strong,
new
and
exciting.
I feel
honored
to
have
been
able
to
meet
you
and watch
your
work.
Australian
horses
and
riders
need
you."
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Over and again I
hear about
talented
professionals
who will spend
endless hours
troubleshooting;
teaching clinics
– making a
great deal of
money, but not
having the time
to teach a
systematic
approach to
classical riding
… to the
common man on a
broad basis.
When will the
everyday riding
teacher /
trainer realize
that the chaos
and abuse
of students and
horses will only
come to an end
with the
adaptation of
the practice of
licensing of our
professionals;
by requiring
that certain
standards be met
?
The time has
come, especially
in classical
dressage, that
the need of
qualified
individuals in
their own
country be
realized.
The
only way any
country as a
whole will gain
proper
instruction in
riding -
especially
classical
dressage - is by
certifying its
own instructors
at all levels
from the very
basics through
Grand Prix …
at the same
time,
establishing and
adhering to
international
guidelines for
training,
teaching and
competing.
These
professionals
would be able to
teach the
systematic
gymnasticizing of the horse to
Olympic
standards in a
classical
fashion to their
countrymen.
All too often,
language and
cultural
differences
create barriers
to learning in a
foreign country
… creating
misinterpretation
and
misrepresentation;
even at very
advanced levels.
I am often
appalled by
practices
supposedly
having been
learned in Germany –
by people who
have
"studied"
there.
They may be good
competitors,
but have not
learned true
classical
principles or riding from
the heart due to
a lack of
complete communication.
When in
Pittsburgh,
I trained
apprentices from
all over the
world. We took
great pains to
explain things
to a person who
spoke English
only as a second
language in such
a way as to help
them better
grasp the
concepts;
because we
realized that
they did not
understand the
"heart"
of the language.
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Art
will
be
interpreted
differently
from
country
to
country,
according
to the
character
and
personality
of the
people
–
but
artful
expression
in
riding
can
only
be
realized
when
the
horse
and
rider
express
pleasure
while
performing.
|
Robert
O. Mayer,
B.H.S.I., FN.
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