Ahead of Ingrid’s highly anticipated masterclass – set to be held at the Queensland State Equestrian Centre on 25 January, 2025 – here are five timeless take aways from the German eventing and dressage star.
1. Build a relationship
“The most important thing is the relationship with the horse,” explains Ingrid. “I want to develop a trustful partnership where we can really rely on each other. Especially in eventing, where it is not always an exact science what happens on cross-country. The rider is responsible for the right line and the right speed, but then I have to give the job to my horse. Also in dressage, of course they have to be obedient, but they shouldn’t lose their personality. They should enjoy what they do and also have their spirit.”
2. Training takes time
Whether you’re training an eventer or dressage horse, it’s important to build the foundations step-by-step and take your time.
“Go step by step. Don’t ask them too much, don’t frighten them,” says Ingrid. “Train step by step. Don’t leave steps out. Even with a talented dressage horse, it’s about patient training over many years to build the horse. Be very careful not to be overexcited yourself. Build them physically and mentally, slowly. Sometimes, just have time to be easy.”
3. The importance of a system
Repetition is one of the most important training tools, and Ingrid’s approach to training illustrates the importance of having a system, sticking to the system and carefully repeating the basics.
For example, each of Ingrid’s dressage lessons at the 2020 masterclass followed this template: Warm up, walk, pick up the reins, repeated transitions. All collected work is followed by going forwards briskly, then a walk break. The lessons end with forwards, then stretch. As the horse gets more advanced, the work is suitably more complicated, but it is still transitions, collect, go forwards and then stretch.
Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD. Image by Lutz Kaiser.
4. Not picky, precise
“I am not picky I am precise,” is a common quote from Ingrid. Certainly, she is fastidious with a lot of attention to detail, as we would expect from someone who’s achieved so much. Ingrid reminds us that we need to be precise in our riding and training.
For example, it’s important to ensure basic positioning is correct: hold the reins correctly with thumbs like a roof (insider tip, there are no flat roofs in Germany, the thumb must be flexed), and a straight line; heel, hip, shoulder.
5. No stirrups
Ingrid is a fan of riding without stirrups, and it was an exercise that popped up in her 2020 masterclass. “I ride a lot without stirrups, when I want to feel the horse,” she explains.
See Ingrid in Australia
In 2025, Australians will have the chance to learn from the German star when she presents both a dressage and eventing masterclass at the Queensland State Equestrian Centre on 25 January.
VIP and General Admission tickets are now on sale, and there are also sponsorship and trade vendor opportunities. A provisional timetable is now also available. Find out more here via Equinesque.
This article was written in conjunction with Equinesque.
