About the School of Légèreté

The school of légèreté welcomes all riders, with any horse who are interested in an ethical, logical and horse friendly approach to schooling. In the U.K there is a long standing instructor training programme, where dedicated instructors seriously study Philippe Karl’s philosophies, and can gain a qualification. They share these principles of training with any rider keen to learn.


The 3 year basic (Foundation) training course is open to teachers who wish to develop their riding, training and teaching according to these methods and philosophies. The Foundation course comprises three clinics per year, each lasting four days and prepares candidates for the multi-stage exam which they must pass in order to be awarded a licence. Once licenced or with partial exams completed, the instructors continue to attend the Advanced training course which comprises 3 clinics per year, each lasting 3 days – furthering their education and that of their horse.

Spectators are very welcome to attend these clinics. Not only is it a fabulous opportunity to take a intensive deep dive into the ‘philosophy of ease’, you will find a friendly and supportive community of like-minded people. Please join the on-line community here at FACEBOOK.

If you would like to book a spectator place at one of the instructor training clinics, please go here to watch the Advanced course or go here to watch the Foundation course.

If you are an instructor interested in applying for the course, you do not need to be competing in dressage. However, you do need to have experience in teaching (even if only part-time) and a desire to help others gain access to Philippe Karl's methods.

You also don't need a 'dressage' horse. All types and breeds are welcome provided they are sound and capable of sustaining a consistent level of work. Find out more about applying here.

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Training courses are currently running in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Italy, France, Australia, Canada and the USA. Find out more by visiting the International site Here.

Spectators can expect to see a wide range of horse and rider combinations, working from the very beginning of a horse’s education, all the way up to high school. Teaching is systematic, logical and jargon and gadget free!

The U.K instructor training course will cover:

  • individual dressage training
  • work in hand and on the lunge
  • jumping
  • quadrille
  • theory
  • pedagogical training (teaching guest riders)

As part of their advancing education, you can watch licensed instructors teaching their own students.

This means that a Légèreté instructor will be able to support you with a huge range of subjects, whatever your experience, area of interest, with any age horse, training at any level. The aim of the school is to give a committed rider the knowledge and skills they need to understand how to progress their horses training in a way that is useful to him physically and emotionally.

If you would like lessons according to Philippe Karl's philosophy you can do so by:

  • participating in an open clinic taught by a licensed teacher of the School
  • contacting your nearest licensed or student instructor to arrange private lessons . Many of these teachers now offer on-line options as well as in person teaching. Find out more about what they offer Here.
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