DVD Review: ***** Walter Zettl ~ A Matter of Trust 1/1

Vol. #1 Disk 1 *****

Now THIS is a "basics" dvd.  It is practically a "who's who and what's what"of dressage as far as basics go.  It is PACKED full of ALL the basics of dressage...infact more than 'just' the basics.  This is a German Classical style with senstivity and gentleness.  I really enjoyed it.  There was so much packed in there that this could very well take you several sittings to get thru it, depending on how much you know already.  If you are just starting out in dressage, this is a good place to start because nothing is left out. I will say, due to the shear volume of material, that they go quickly, so be prepared to have your finger on the pause button so you can take notes or rewind to hear something again.  There is not a lot of indepth detail on alot of stuff presented, this is really just an indepth overview of everything you should know to get started.  As i have seen of MANY great dressage masters, there is not alot of emphasis on the riders position, mostly on the 'how to train the horse'....so i would say that, like you will find about anywhere else, you will need to seek else where for rider biomechanics.  And that is OK.  No one can be everyTHING to EVERYone.  I highly recomend this dvd for its solid and classical 'basics'.

There is reviewed and explained and demonstrated:

The 6 Principles of the  training scale:
Rhythm, Relaxation, Contact, Schwung, Straightness & Collection

The Golden Mantra:
Ride your horse ~ Calm, Forward & Straight

Well Explained and demonstrated:
Calming exercises/patterns
Forward exercises/patterns
Straightening exercises/patterns

Suppling exercises/patterns


There was beautiful scenes of horses and riders of all levels, and most of them were poll high most of the time.  It is a pet peave of mine...so...i pay close attention to it.  sorry.
 
For more info on Walter Zettl click here

Savvy On
Michelle