Our first morning work session this year took place in glorious sunshine. Numerous guests from Austria,Denmark, italy, the Czech Republic and Switzerland made their way to Gut Rosenhof in order to experience our work with the horses.
Prior to the beginning of the event Anja Beran rode the Lusitano "Regedor" in the indoor school. Following the official words of welcome by Prof. Dr. Nüssler at 11.00 h, Anja Beran led the guests through the programme.
The first horse was a young Spanish mare. She was used to demonstrate the breaking in of a young horse to spectators. Vera Munderloh lunged the mare with a cavesson. After tacking up, first steps under the rider were shown and the most important points of basic training explained.
As a follow-on, the young Kinsky gelding was presented under Jennifer Heber. Gino presented himself in supple form in the 3 basic gaits, with fine contact to the rider's hand. Leg-yielding as the first lateral movement, a clean halt, but also rein back and the first stages of the Spanish walk were the theme of this presentation.
After each horse spectators had the opportunity to ask Anja Beran questions.
Xailee, a young Lusitano was the next horse to enter the indoor school. Vera Munderloh showed him stepping over, doing shoulder-in, in the first half-passes and in important flexing exercises.
Cantering from walk, reducing the circle at canter, but also the piaffe, the approach to the passage, the Spanish walk and the kneeling movement were demonstrated by Xailee.
Jasmin Gärtner presented the Lusitano stallion "Ramesès", who is already at a more advanced level of training. Now lateral movements at trot and canter were added, the counter canter and also flying changes. Transitions from piaffe to passage and from Spanish walk to a spectacular Spanish trot were shown by Ramesès under a very fine and sensitive rider. Finally the physiotherapist René Frim explained the significance of the correct seat on a horse.
Work in-hand was the next subject. With the Lusitano "Olé" Anja Beran first of all showed gymnasticising by lateral movements in-hand. Afterwards she removed Olé's bridle and demonstrated the piaffe, passage, canter on a volte and finally even a levade and the Spanish walk with a completely free horse. This clearly demonstrated the enormous trust which exists between horse and trainer.
Finally Flamingo under Vera Munderloh showed his progress and, together with the Lusitano stallion Pao under Anja Beran, presented beautiful piaffes and passages. Here it could be very clearly recognised that modern warmblood horses are just as capable of fine and well-collected movements as baroque horses, providing they are trained according to the principles of classical horsemanship.
The lunch break was used by the guests for a snack and walks around the extensive grounds of Gut Rosenhof. Furthermore they were able to admire an art exhibition by the painter Katharina Rücker-Weininger.
In the afternoon the subject being dealt with was the horse's back. The Swedish vet, Dr. Matilda Holmer-Rattenhuber, who wrote her doctor's thesis on this subject, used a Power-Point presentation to explain the structure and function and answered the many questions posed by interested visitors on the subject of the horse's back.
The equestrian osteopath René Frim finally explained details from and osteopath point of view and also talked about the importance of a well-fitting saddle. In this context he demonstrated, together with Steffi Fuchs on the Andalusian stallion "Hechicero", how a digital saddle pressure measuring system functioned.
In front of the riding school our expert saddler, Wilhelm Sepp, from the company "Pferd und Mehr" had set up his stand and was able to answer further questions relating to the subject of saddles with impressive competence.
Almost all guests expressed their thanks to Anja Beran and her team at the end and many of them have already registered for the next morning work session.

The second morning work session this year began with a special opening presentation: Vera Munderloh presented the Lusitano stallion "Super" for the first time riding side-saddle and, despite the more limited possibilities for applying influence, all movements were executed with playful ease.
The systematic structure of a horse's training was the theme of the day. First of all getting used to the lunge, the first feel of the saddle and finally breaking-in were demonstrated and the most important steps explained. Subsequently Vera Munderloh rode a young Lipizzaner stallion with great movement potential. He presented himself with good impulsion in the 3 basic gaits, showed first lateral movements as well, however, as the first stages of piaffing. Afterwards the same rider presented a young Lusitano who had a more mediocre gait, without ground cover, who could be ridden just as lightly and finely however, and whose first attempts at piaffing were just as good as those of his predecessor who was blessed with such impressive movements. Anja Beran explained that good dressage training was not directly connected to a horse's gait potential. Dressage rather means to bring a horse into balance, to mobilise it and to keep it in fine coordination on the rider's aids, this means it can be presented in harmony and does not suffer any physical damage.
After these 3 young horses, a Hanoverian gelding was presented whose basic training had not followed an optimum course, the horse came with gait as well as tongue problems, was often lame and was also extremely stiff. As a result of the gymnasticising work in the lateral movements, the horse could be helped and the gelding was able to do a clear 4-beat walk again, relaxed his back and consequently also his lower jaw, thus automatically solving the tongue problem and the lameness also transpired to be in direct connection with his asymmetry and therefore virtually disappeared with improved straightening. The gelding learned to piaffe because this movement helped him to use his back and engage his hindquarters better. Dressage in this complicated case was therefore not only gymnastics for the horse but also a kind of physiotherapy.
Work in hand was then the next point on the programme. Together with the Lusitano Olé, Anja Beran showed what exercises and lateral movements can be worked on well in-hand.
The already well-advanced Lusitano stallion Ramesès was the next horse to enter the indoor school. Lateral movements at trot and canter, piaffe, passage, counter canter and flying change were part of his repertoire, just as the Spanish walk and a spectacular Spanish trot. Jasmin Gärtner presented him with almost invisible aids and impressed visitors with the obvious harmony they demonstrated.
The last horse was then the Westphalian gelding "Flamingo" under Vera Munderloh, who showed himself to be increasingly relaxed and gradually becoming more calm even in the more advanced movements. As a highlight, Flamingo showed a passage-half pass for the first time on both reins.
During the lunch break guests had the opportunity of admiring pictures by the well-known Polish artist Zenon Aniszewski, who had set up an exhibition in the indoor lunging arena.
In the afternoon the Swedish vet, Dr. Matilda Holmer-Rattenhuber gave a talk on the subject of "back problems" with the horse and René Frim presented some interesting information about these problems from an osteopath's point of view. The informative afternoon concluded with a presentation of the digital saddle pressure measuring system.  

The morning work session on 5th July once again took place before a full house. Whilst guests were arriving, Anja Beran worked with the Lusitano stallion "Regedor". Subsequently the Gut Rosenhof team demonstrated the individual steps of a horse's training from breaking in to high school movements. Some horses with conformation problems as well as horses which had been spoilt through incorrect handling were also presented.
Astrid Galipo presented a young P.R.E. stallion in the first phase of training. Still on the lunge, she rode the stallion in the three basic gaits in the light, forward seat. Afterwards Vera Munderloh presented the young Kladruber gelding "Generale Cassa". First lateral movements, but also correct cantering off as well as initial stages of the piaffe, passage and the beginning of the Spanish walk were commented on by Anja Beran.
The Hanoverian gelding "Leo", who is at Gut Rosenhof for correction purposes, was presented by his owner Jenny Heber. Compared with the previous year, the large bay horse was seen to have considerably better muscles and the regularity of his gaits had also improved considerably. The piaffe and passage are coming on very well and are helping "Leo" to develop his back better.
With the Lusitano stallion "Super" Vera Munderloh demonstrated transitions between trot, piaffe and passage which were particularly impressive on account of their lightness. With "Super" it was also possible to show how to work on the flying change.
Work in-hand with the Lusitano "Olé" also constitued an important part of this morning work session. Steffi Fuchs presented the grey horse in the different lateral movements, finishing with a pesade on the left rein and a levade on the right rein.
Jasmin Gärtner was next to enter the arena with the Lusitano stallion "Ramesès". Lateral movements in all gaits, piaffe, passage, fly change as well as Spanish walk and Spanish trot are part of the repertoire. Subsequently the physiotherapist René Frim discussed details relating to the correct seat.
The last rider on this occasion was Vera Munderloh on the Westphalian gelding "Flamingo", who showed himself to be in good condition and at the end actually presented a passage half-pass.
After the lunch break there was a presentation by the vet Dr. Matilda Holmer-Rattenhuber and the equestrian osteopath René Frim and guests had the opportunity to ask questions.
In the indoor lunging circle the famous Dutch artist Marli Hommel had set up an exhibition of her great paintings. She invited all guests to come and take a look.

On the first Sunday in August Gut Rosenhof once again opened its gates to welcome numerous guests from Germany as well as a number of other countries and to give them some insight into classical horsemanship.
The first steps, in other words getting used to the lunge and the initial stages of breaking in, were demonstrated with a young mare. Subsequently a talented Lipizzaner stallion showed free work with a "Remonte", a young, green horse. Diligent forward riding, first lateral movements and, at the end, stretching forwards-downwards was explained by Anja Beran. For the first time visitors were able to observe how a horse can be taught a so-called "circus movement", the "Referenz" or kneeling. The pleasure and great enthusiasm of the young Lipizzaner in his work brought a grin to the faces of many spectators.
The next horse to enter the arena was a Lusitano with not particularly talented paces. It became quite clear, however, that even a horse which does not have particularly dynamic movements, can be ridden very finely and brought on to the most advanced high-school movements. Excellent first attempts at piaffe and passage could be recognised and the canter was also already very well balanced. With this horse Anja Beran furthermore explained the progression from snaffle to double bridle and bridoon bit, as well as the correct position of the bit in the horse's mouth. A Cartujano stallion, which was already somewhat more advanced, represented the next point on the programme. With Maestro Vera showed half-passes, piaffes, passages, counter-canter, shoulder-in and canter-half-passes, first flying changes and finally an expressive extended trot, naturally this was also presented at rising trot so as to avoid imposing excessive strain on the horse's back.
The Lusitano Olé was presented in the lateral movements in hand and at the end provided evidence of the profound trust he has in his trainers when, completely free, without a bridle, he presented the piaffe, levade, canter voltes, Spanish walk and kneeling.An integral part of the morning work session was once again Jasmin Gärtner on the Lusitano stallion "Ramesès" who, at the end of a ride demonstrating excellent impulsion, also presented a spectacular Spanish trot. René Frim then gave a talk about the rider's seat, during which Jasmin Gärtner acted as his model.
The last horse to be presented at this Sunday morning event was the Westphalian gelding Flamingo under Vera Munderloh, who had also presented all previous horses elegantly and with great finesse.
Once again an art exhibition had been set up and an afternoon programme was presented by our osteopath René Frim and the vet Dr. Matilda Holmer-Rattenhuber, who gave a talk on horses' back problems. This rounded off what had been an extremely instructional day.     

The first September weekend had been reserved for 2 morning work sessions. On Saturday Anja Beran provided visitors with an insight into her training methods through the medium of the English language. Journalists from as far away as Russia had come to find out more about classical dressage, Anja Beran and Gut Rosenhof.
On Sunday a subsequent training session took place in the German language. All training stages from breaking in a young horse to first piaffe steps of an advanced horse were explained in great detail. Many guests found it particularly interesting that every horse at Gut Rosenhof does the piaffe and passage, indicating that it is not necessary to have an exceptionally talented horse for these movements. A further positive dimension was also provided by the many questions from the public, all of which were willingly and competently answered by Anja Beran.
After conclusion of the first part of the programme, visitors had the opportunity to admire the art exhibition. Renate Blank has exceptional talent in the way she represents horses performing haute école movements, her pictures were a harmonious extension to the theme of the event and made a further valuable contribution in familiarising guests with special and significant features of classical equestrianism.
The afternoon programme took the usual form with presentations by the vet Dr. Matilda Holmer-Rattenhuber and the physiotherapist René Frim.

Comments:

Dear Ms. Beran,
Many thanks indeed – also from the other members of my party – for the unforgettable impressions we were able to gather on the occasion of the Sunday morning work session on 07.06.2009. We were all thrilled as well as inspired. This calmness and affection for the horse which could always be sensed in your own work as well as the work of your team was quite magnificent. We will now try to apply and implement the impressions and information which we were able to gather on this day from you in our own work at home. So you see – we are all completely over the moon with our experiences and our trip back to Berlin seemed to go in a flash – we had so much to talk about. We are quite certain – we will come back again in 2010.Warm regards, Manuela Henschke

Dear Ms. Beran,
...Furthermore I should like to express my thanks fort he events in May and June, which once again were extremely interesting and informative (just a pity that the roses were yet not all in bloom...)Kind regards, Anna Richert

Dear Ms. Beran,
Your morning work session last Sunday was for us something akin to the "Finding of the Holy Grail”:-)FINALLY – amidst the confusion propagated by the many self-appointed “experts” in the equestrian world - someone is showing us the most important steps and exercises in the context of correct training of horses. Your book + your practical explanations are so plausible, fine and precise. YOU, Anja Beran, represent what is truly CLASSIC in the context of classical horsemanship training.THANK YOU.Warmest regards from the Ammersee.Laura Bieler

Our last morning work session in 2009 took place in magnificent autumn weather and was completely booked out.The training sequence from first breaking-in through to the most difficult of dressage movements was demonstrated on a variety of different horses, and some time was also dedicated to correction work with spoiled horses. Visitors had the opportunity to ask questions between the individual rides and were able to collect valuable information as well as some useful tips and new ideas before setting off on their homeward journeys. Anja Beran and her team once again ensured the smooth and professional running of this instructional event. Dr. Matilda Holmer-Rattenhuber and René Frim organised the afternoon programme dealing with the theme of back problems with horses. This time Eva Jaeckle from Switzerland was responsible for the accompanying art exhibition.
As Gut Rosenhof now has some newly paved paths and spaces, and all paddock fences were newly erected over the summer and the fields enlarged, many guests stayed on for some time after the event and enjoyed the grounds and pleasantly cultivated atmosphere. They were able to stroll around freely or to sit on one of the newly erected benches and simply take in the surroundings.

We would like to take this opportunity of thanking our numerous guests and look forward to seeing many of you again at the Sunday morning work sessions in 2010! 

On 12th October 2008 our first English-speaking morning work session took place at Gut Rosenhof. Visitors from 9 different countries had registered and were indeed lucky enough to experience warm weather with beautiful sunshine for this event.
In the initial "warming up" period Anja Beran rode the Lusitano stallion "Pao". Piaffe and passage transitions succeeded in harmonious and expressive style. Canter pirouettes and the Spanish walk were also included in the repertoire.
Following the official words of welcome by Prof. Dr. Volkmar Nüssler, Anja Beran opened the Sunday morning work session with the Lipizzaner stallion "Favory Toscana". Breaking-in was the first major theme to be dealt with.
Subsequently work with a young, green horse was demonstrated with the Lusitano "Xailee".  First lateral movements, letting the horse chew the reins out of the rider's hand, as well as first attempts at the piaffe and learning the Spanish walk were shown with "Xailee".
Jasmin Gärtner acted as a "model" on the Andalusian stallion "Hechicero" whilst Anja Beran explained how the correct dressage seat should look.
Just as all other horses, the Lusitano stallion "Super" was presented by Vera Munderloh. The significance of work in the lateral movements, the counter-canter, but also the Spanish walk and the Spanish trot, piaffe and passage, as well as the preparation of canter pirouettes were demonstrated with "Super".
The next item on the programme was work in hand. Anja Beran showed basic exercises for gymnasticising purposes and ultimately had her Lusitano horse "Olé" doing the piaffe and levade without a bridle. In complete freedom, "Olé" also presented the Spanish walk and the kneeling act, a reflection of the complete trust he has in his trainer.
The Lusitano stallion "Ramesés", who has been involved in almost every morning work session so far, again demonstrated tempi changes at canter and flying changes. His presentation was concluded with the Spanish trot.
The presentation by the Westphalian gelding "Flamingo" was an absolute treat for spectators to watch. The horse, which had been badly spoiled and had come to Anja Beran for correction, now presented itself as well muscled, elegant and with excellent rhythm. Shoulder-in, half-passes as well as travers and shoulder-in at canter were ridden with great expression. The transitions trot – passage – piaffe – passage – trot were ridden very smoothly without visible application of the aids by the rider.
After the lunch break Dr. Matilda Holmer-Rattenhuber gave riders an insight into the important aspects to observe in order for their horse to remain healthy. Biomechanical connections, but also the necessity of a well-fitting saddle and a rider who sits symmetrically were explained. The skeleton of a real horse was erected in the backgound as a visual aid. Furthermore the Lusitano "Rosé" acted as a live model and, on the basis of his perfectly performed piaffe, Dr. Holmer-Rattenhuber explained what happens in a horse's body when it is fully collected.
The lecture as well as the practical demonstration about the training of horses were received with great enthusiasm. Indeed there were spontaneous requests for another morning work session in English sometime in 2009. Anja Beran and her team will certainly make every effort to arrange a similar event within the next year.  

The last morning work session to be held in German in 2008 was once again so well attended that not a single place remained free. On account of the cool weather a large heater was brought into the indoor riding arena in order for visitors to feel comfortable in pleasant temperatures.
The host, Professor Dr. med. Volkmar Nüssler, introduced the public to the world of thought of Classical Horsemanship in its original sense with the following words: "An undisputed marker - or the "proof of concept" as scientists like to say – for which Anja Beran's way of teaching is evidence, is that these horses have never needed a vet to deal with leg injuries or back problems! On the contrary, horses which came to her suffering from such problems, could be positively helped by her way of riding. Examples here are the Friesian stallion "Gawain" and the Westphalian stallion "Flamingo"! In this context Professor Nüssler quoted Nicolás Gómez Dávila "Humbleness is the only safe refuge from stupidity".
The programme began again with an insight into the work with young horses. Using the 3-year old Friesian gelding "Kobold" as an example, Anja Beran explained about lunging, first experiences with the saddle and becoming accustomed to the rider.
Afterwards Vera Munderloh presented the young Lusitano "Xailee" in the basic gaits. Furthermore the first lateral movements, piaffe steps and initiated to the Spanish walk were demonstrated.
The Lusitano stallion "Super" already showed movements of an advanced horse. Half passes at trot and canter, counter canter, but also piaffe and passage, as well as transitions were the theme of this performance.
Anja Beran explained work in hand with her Lusitano "Olé". Stepping over, but also renvers at walk and trot can be useful gymnastic exercises to be worked on from the ground. Spectators were able to admire a scene of perfect harmony when Anja Beran removed "Olé's" bridle and presented her Lusitano simply with a neck strap. Halt, rein back, but also piaffe, Spanish walk and kneeling down were all performed without any obvious effort on her "completely free" horse. Visitors responded with warm and spontaneous applause.
The golden Lusitano "Ramesès" presented mainly cantering work. Significant changes in tempi and flying changes represented the focal point here. Furthermore "Ramesès" performed the Spanish walk and also the Spanish canter.
As always, interested guests had the opportunity of asking Anja Beran questions after each ride.
The Hanoverian gelding "Leo", a horse at our yard for correction purposes, helped Anja Beran to explain the work she does with spoiled horses. Flexing work, lateral movements, but also collected lessons served to loosen up this large-framed horse and to straighten it, thus encouraging its back activity. His rider Jennifer Heber can meanwhile activate the horse with increasingly subtle aids, thus clearly illustrating that even large heavy horses can be finely ridden.
Finally Vera Munderloh presented the Westphalian gelding "Flamingo", who had previously been in a very spoiled state. Shoulder-in and half passes at trot, with plenty of impulsion and good rhythm aroused great enthusiasm amongst spectators. This ride also featured much improved canter work, presented in phases in shoulder-in and travers. The highlight then came in the form of elegant transitions between collected trot, passage on the diagonals, piaffe in X, followed by passage and then back to collected trot.
Following the lunch break a talk was given for the first time on the subject of "Classical dressage from a veterinary point of view". The Swedish vet Dr. Matilda Holmer-Rattenhuber, who wrote here doctoral thesis on the subject of "Biomechanics", spoke about this important matter. For this purpose she brought a "genuine" horse skeleton to Gut Rosenhof.
Furthermore "Flamingo" presented the sequences of movement in the 3 basic gaits on the lunge and the Lusitano "Rosé" piaffed in hand, simply with a cavesson. During this Dr. Holmer-Rattenhuber was able to explain in very clear terms what happened with the horse's body at the moment of collection.
After her talk the committed vet was pleased to answer the many questions posed by interested spectators.

For the first time we had dull autumnal weather for our morning work session in September. Nevertheless numerous guests again came to Gut Rosenhof, including a riding club from Pirna in Saxony.

At 10.30 h. Anja Beran and Jennifer Heber rode the stallions "Leviton" and "Regedor" in order to introduce the visitors to the morning work as they arrived and give ethem a taste of what was to follow. Punctually at 11.00 h. the main programme started. The first theme was again lunging work and breaking in. With the 3-year-old Friesian gelding "Kobold", Vera Munderloh, Jennifer Heber and Anja Beran demonstrated the first stages in the training of young horses.

Afterwards Vera Munderloh rode the young Friesian stallion "Kasper". He was presented in the basic gaits showing very good impulsion, and subsequently in effortless lateral movements such as leg-yielding and stepping over.

The P.R.E. stallion "Maestro", whom many visitors already remembered from the previous year, now showed the progress he had made in his training. Half-passes at trot, cantering from walk, counter-canter, medium trot, improved piaffe steps, nice passage steps, the Spanish walk, but also the circensic kneeling movement. And all this with his usual calmness and suppleness.

Afterwards the Westphalian gelding "Flamingo" was presented. Now, for the first time, Vera Munderloh rode all the difficult movements such as the piaffe and passage as well as the transitions WITHOUT Anja Beran's extra support from the ground. Flamingo now also mastered this decisive stage of his training and the rider can do these high school movements quite independently with him. In the meantime his canter has also improved tremendously.

The Hanoverian gelding "Leo", who is at Gut Rosenhof for correction purposes, was the next horse. Working closely together, Anja Beran and Jennifer Heber showed the approach to be taken with stiff, tense horses, and how this problem can be solved and they can be encouraged to arch their backs correctly.

Fluent transitions between all lateral movements in all gaits were presented by Vera Munderloh on the Lusitano stallion "Ramesès". Shoulder-in, travers, half-passes and renvers merged together harmoniously. The counter-canter and flying change were further themes dealt with in this context. The Spanish walk and Spanish trot were also included in the repertoire.

As is almost tradition at these sessions, the Lusitano stallion "Pao" gave the concluding presentation. Ridden by Anja Beran, he again showed piaffe and passage transitions and the "descente de main".

After the lunch break visitors were given further insight into the subject of equine osteopathy and René Frim also presented the modern system of digital measuring of saddle pressure. The two horses "Speedy" and "Hechicero" served as models for this process and thus gave a practical dimension to the theoretical information presented.

Our Sunday morning work session in August took place in perfect weather conditions. For the first time we had visitors from the Netherlands and, as always, a considerable number of guests from Austria and Switzerland.
Anja Beran opened the programme once again with a demonstration of breaking-in work with young, green horses. Afterwards basic work with a young Friesian stallion was shown.
"Arjen" presented himself in a wonderful trot with lots of impulsion and a good ground-covering uphill canter. Anja Beran went into some considerable detail about the special features of work with Friesian horses and explained why this breed requires training which is specifically adapted to suit their unique character. Particular significance was also given to the subject of "impulsion" in her explanations.
The Westphalian gelding "Flamingo" was the next horse to come into the arena and this time spectators were able to experience the pleasure, in particular, of an improved and more confident piaffe.
With the Lusitano Olé Anja Beran presented work in hand. Overtracking, kneeling, but also piaffe, passage and levade were part of the programme. Spectators were very surprised to see that it is also possible to work sometimes without a bridle in the case of well trained horses. Anja Beran simple removed Olé's double bridle and put a rope around his neck. The Lusitano subsequently piaffed completely freely, presented the Spanish walk and the compliment to gestures performed by his trainer. That was an impressive performance based on trust and harmony.
The Lusitano stallion gave spectators some important impressions of cantering work. Counter canter and flying changes were the theme here. Finally the stallion also demonstrated the Spanish walk and the Spanish trot.
The "descente de main", the complete absence of aids at the moment of highest collection was presented with the Lusitano Rosé, who continued to piaffe energetically although his rider had completely surrendered rein contact and ceased to apply leg aids.
As always, all horses were elegantly presented by Vera Munderloh who has impressive routine in this matter.
After lunch there was a first-time demonstration of digital measuring of saddle pressure points.  The equestrian osteopath René Frim presented this new method. With the assistance of a large screen, visitors were able to follow the measuring results whilst Steffi Fuchs acted as test rider on the Spanish stallion "Hechicero".
Anja Beran as well as René Frim were then available to answer the numerous questions posed by guests, and the saddler Bill Sepp from the company "Pferd und Mehr" also answered many questions specific to saddle-fitting.
Thus the Sunday session came to a pleasant end with many discussions on equestrian themes and exchanges of information and experience relating to everything concerning horses.

On 6th July our 4th morning work session of this year took place at Gut Rosenhof. We felt highly honoured that an important visitor from Vienna was to attend this session. Johann Riegler, Head Rider at the Spanish Riding School was our guest.

First of all Vera Munderloh presented the young P.R.E. stallion "Leviton". He demonstrated basic work such as shoulder-in, travers and half-pass at walk and trot. Correct halting, as well as canter work on the circle and volte, in shoulder-fore and also in the travers. The main focus was on the lightness, the almost invisible application of the aids and the striving for balance and harmony.

After the official words of welcome by the host, Prof. Volkmar Nüssler, the Lipizzaner stallion "Favory Toscana" was presented. The initial steps of tacking up, lunging, as far as breaking-in were demonstrated in an exemplary way with this stallion.

The 5 year-old Lusitano "Xailee" was presented with a snaffle in the so-called "Remonte posture". With him Anja Beran explained the first steps of the piaffe, but also the first phase of training for the Spanish walk.

Jasmin Gärtner demonstrated the correct seat of the rider on "Hechicero". The physiotherapist, René Frim, used a model of the spine to explain the most important aspects to be considered in order to achieve a supple seat.

"Flamingo" our Westphalian gelding, with whom many of our spectators were already very familiar from the "Fine Dressage" DVD, showed his current state of training. His piaffe and passage are becoming increasingly round and neat, his trotting work is now much more expressive and gradually Flamingo is also becoming more relaxed in the canter.

This time, once again, gymnasticing work in hand with the Lusitano "Olé" was also an essential part of the programme.

Subsequently the Lusitano stallion "Ramesès" impressed spectators with his canter work. Counter-canter, extended canter and expressive flying changes were the important theme here. And of course "Ramesès" also had the opportunity of presenting the Spanish trot.

As usual, the Lusitano stallion "Pao" concluded this instructive morning. Piaffe and passage in the highest degree of collection always seem playful and easy for him.

A special feature of this morning work session was the interview which then followed with Johann Riegler, in which he informed us that he had just left the Spanish Riding School in Vienna after working there for 39 years. He gave some insight into his reasons for doing this and also talked about what is currently happening in competitive equestrian sport. A short review of "his" stallions at the Spanish School of Riding in Vienna, portraits of which the Swiss artist, Eva Jaeckle, had specially brought to Gut Rosenhof for this purpose, gave the guests some interesting background information.

After the lunch break the equestrian osteopath René Frim again gave a short presentation about his work with some practical demonstrations of his treatment methods on our Arabo-Haflinger "Speedy".   

The Sunday morning work session on 8th June 2008 took place before an international public. We were very proud to be able to welcome guests from Australia, Finland, France, England, Austria and Switzerland.

The first item on the programme was the training of young horses, demonstrated with the Lipizzaner stallion "Favory Toscana". Correct lunging, the significance of the cavesson and first steps under the rider were the important themes of this presentation.

Afterwards the Lusitano "Olé" was presented in hand by Anja Beran. Stepping over, a closed, clean halt, back-reining, piaffe, passage, levade as well as the Spanish walk were all demonstrated in effortless style. The spectators also received valuable advice about how to work with their own horses at home.

Subsequently the young Lusitano "Xailee" was ridden by Anja Beran. During the mounted presentation she commented on the work with the young horse. The significance of the first lateral movements, cantering on, as well as first attempts at the piaffe were presented.

Between the individual sections visitors had the chance to ask questions and get information about problems they were experiencing with their own horses.

There was also a very interesting presentation of a 17.3 h.h. Hanoverian stallion which had come to Gut Rosenhof for purposes of correction. At the beginning it was very stiff and tense, however ridden by Jennifer Heber, "Leo" very soon became more supple and relaxed and it became clear to all present how very important the lateral movements are for gymnasticising purposes. By means of stepping over, travers and leg yielding at walk and trot, it was possible for the horse to become so supple that at the end of the presentation it even showed some good piaffe steps and also some very first attempts at the passage.

The "crowning glory" was once again the demonstration of the "descente de main". With the experienced Lusitano stallion "Pao" it was possible this time also to present expressive piaffes and playful transitions to the passage.

After the lunch break Mr Sepp, from the company "Pferd und Mehr" gave a talk about correct saddle fitting. Our demonstration model "Speedy" once again was very patient as a wide variety of different saddles were tried whilst Mr Sepp explained the problems of saddle fitting to the very interested audience.

Many visitors expressed their thanks for this informative session and already registered for the next "Sunday Morning Work Session" on 3rd August 2008.

Our first "Sunday morning work session" in 2008 once again took place in glorious sunshine. Many visitors from all over Germany, as well as from Switzerland and Austria, travelled to Gut Rosenhof for two good reasons, One was, of course, to watch Anja Beran working with her horses – and the other was to admire the work of the Swiss artist Eva Jaeckle. The Lipizzaner stallions of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna were the subject of the exhibition, and thus the first horse to be presented in the riding school on these two occasions was also a Lipizzaner stallion. The 4 year-old Favory Toscana was presented on the lunge and under the rider whilst Anja Beran explained the procedure to be followed whilst breaking in horses. Sound work on the lunge forms the basis of the training, careful accustomisation to the saddle and bridle follows. Finally a demonstration was given of how the young horse should have its first experiences with the rider.

The transparency of the training system and valuable information for the competent spectators constituted the main element of this first presentation.

Subsequently the licensed Trakehner stallion "Krönungswalzer" was presented as a young horse in the early stages of riding. The basic gaits, transitions, first leg-yielding and correct halting as well as getting to know the touching whip were prime priorities here.

The P.R.E. stallion Maestro was then presented to demonstrate work on a more advanced horse. Shoulder-in, half-passes, cantering on from walk, trot extensions, piaffe steps and beginnings of the passage were the most important aspects of this presentation.

The next point to be dealt with was the correct rider's seat. Together with the physiotherapist René Frim, Anja Beran explained the important aspects of a well-balanced seat. Vera Munderloh illustrated this very clearly on the Trakehner sire "Chronist". The horse captivated by elegant steps in clear rhythm and an expressive, ground-covering canter, thus encouraging his rider to take up a good seat.

Work-in-hand with the Olé was again a regular feature of the morning work session. Stepping over, piaffe, passage, canter, Spanish walk, levade and the kneeling position were all performed easily and willingly by Olé in hand.

The transitions from trot to piaffe and to passage were presented by the Lusitano stallion Ramesès. He demonstrated expressive flying changes on the circle with tremendous lightness and great diligence.

The informative morning was once again concluded by a presentation of the "descente de main" by Anja Beran with the Lusitano stallion "Pao". In high school movements such as the piaffe and passage the rider stops applying the aids here and even surrenders the rein contact and expects the horse to continue its activity and maintain its carriage. "Pao" fulfilled these expectations very convincingly.

In between the practical demonstrations interested spectators has the opportunity to ask questions and were able to get competent information.

Afterwards the guests were able to admire the pictures exhibited by Eva Jaeckle. The exhibition was presented in impressive style in the new indoor lunging arena of Gut Rosenhof.

After lunch the equine osteopath René Frim talked about his treatment methods and this time concentrated particularly on the subject of the horse's back.

The last morning work session of this year was also fully booked and Anja Beran and her team once again ensured a very interesting 2 hours for those attending. The session began, as usual with explanations concerning the significance of the cavesson and a young stallion was lunged with it by way of practical presentation. The reason why all horses at Gut Rosenhof are always worked WITHOUT any form of auxiliary reins was an important aspect of this first demonstration and Anja Beran mentioned many reasons why this is so very important.

The next subject was the correct dressage seat, which criteria are decisive here in order to accompany the horse in the best way without disturbing it, was explained in detail. Anja Beran was supported here by the physiotherapist René Frim, who went into particular detail concerning the posture of the back and the pelvis when riding.

Cornelia Brähmer, riding the 4-year old Lusitano "Xailee" showed how work is done on young, recently broken-in horses at Gut Rosenhof. The young horse moved actively forwards in relaxed form, on a loose rein in natural balance. First lateral movements, but also some diagonalising were demonstrated and, above all, explanations were given about WHY and FOR WHAT PURPOSE.

A horse whose basic training did not go so well and therefore came to Gut Rosenhof with a huge number of problems is the Westphalian horse, Flamingo, with whom many spectators were already familiar. What classical dressage can do for a horse was shown here in a very impressive way. A horse which came for correction 2 years ago, mistrustful and totally tense, presented itself here in expressive half passes, already very good piaffes and what was at this stage a very attractive passage. Guests were able to recognise that légèrté is in no way reserved to baroque horses.

Work in hand, so rarely seen nowadays, was the next item on the programme. The two Lusitanos Olé and Rosé showed piaffe, passage, Spanish walk and even levade in hand.

The dun stallion "Ramsès" ridden by Vera Munderloh subsequently gave some insight into cantering work. Counter-canter and flying changes were the main feature here. At the end Ramsès also presented the Spanish trot.

The "descente de main" was again the concluding subject of the very instructive morning and was demonstrated by Anja Beran in the saddle of the Lusitano stallion "Pao". A graceful piaffe on the loose rein, but on the rider's seat formed the highlight of this ride. 

Following a lunch break, the equestrian osteopath René Frim completed the programme with a practical presentation of his method on a young Kinsky stallion.

We have received such positive reactions to these Sunday morning work sessions from our visitors that we have decided to continue with this event again next year. The dates for 2008 will soon be appearing on our homepage. 

On 9th September our 4th morning work session was held at  Gut Rosenhof, to which we even had the honour of welcoming guests from Australia and Scotland. This time also, we tried to present a varied programme because a large number of spectators had attended the event at least once before. For the first time personal members of the FN were also present. After the event they were invited for a guided tour of the yard with Anja Beran.

The session started, as usual, with a horse being lunged on a cavesson – this time we presented the very attractive Lusitano dun stallion "Temerario".

Subsequently elements of basic training were demonstrated. Cornelia Brähmer presented a young mare from Leutstetten Royal Stud. Following initial nervousness in front of so many spectators, the 17.2 h.h. mare calmed down after a few moments and presented the 3 basic gaits in a very relaxed and supple way.

Also simple lateral movements, such as leg-yielding, were done successfully and on touching with the whip an initial diagonalising could be well recognised, whilst Anja Beran spoke about the parallel development of thrust and carrying power.

The subject of the seat was the theme of the next item to be presented. Jasmin Gärtner rode the stallion Hechicero in exemplary posture and the physiotherapist René Frim, using a model of the spine, described the correct posture of the back and pelvis.

The Westphalian gelding Flamingo under Vera Munderloh, has increased in suppleness and expression from month to month and visitors had the opportunity to watch him in harmonious and relaxed form.

Also work-in-hand up to the piaffe and levade constituted an important item on the programme and was presented once again with the Lusitano Olé.

The somewhat older Lusitano stallion Homero showed excerpts of cantering work and it was possible to see how much classical dressage contributes to an older horse still being able to be presented in fresh and healthy form when it has been correctly trained over a period of years.

At the end Anja Beran again showed the "descente de main", the suspension of the aids, on the Lusitano stallion Pao. During the piaffe the rider let the reins become gradually longer until they were completely yielded and the connection had been totally surrendered so that the rider was using the seat exclusively to keep the horse collected.

Between the individual presentations spectators had the opportunity to ask questions. This offer received a lively response and Anja Beran was pleased to explain connections and details relating to her work.

On the Kinsky stallion "Jester" the equine osteopath René Frim subsequently explained some aspects of his methods of treatment and most visitors took advantage of the opportunity after the lunch break to find out more about this form of therapy.

On 14th October the last morning work session of 2007 will take place, similar events are already being planned for 2008, however. The dates will appear on our homepage in good time for your planning.