For more than two years, the Principal and State Stud of Marbach has been collaborating with Anja Beran, who is currently training Weil-Marbach pure-bred Arab stallions WM SAFI ox and WM MALAKIL ox at Gut Rosenhof. Astrid von Velsen-Zerweck, stud director and hostess of the day, welcomed the audience in the fully booked indoor school in Marbach. She used this opportunity to appeal for the ethical responsibility within equestrian sport and reminded the riding world always to respect animal welfare. Anja Beran’s multi-media presentation enabled the audience to train their eyes to distinguish misunderstood dressage from training which is appropriate to the requirements of the horse and to develop an eye for the “right” role models. Elisabeth Albescu, veterinary specialist for chiropractic (A), discussed this analysis from a veterinarian point of view. The practical part of the seminar, featuring different horses, made reference to challenges and individual solutions – according to the nature and physical requirements of each horse.
Anja Beran and her team had brought a total of six horses to the Principal and State Stud of Marbach. First to enter the arena in the practical part of the seminar was Pferdewirtschaftsmeisterin (horse management expert) Eva Steinbach presenting Bavarian champion mare bred in Schwaiganger – Amazing Grace, a daughter of Boston out of a dam by Rivero II. Amazing Grace lived up to her name – it is a marvellous sight to watch this talented, yet somewhat difficult mare perform under the saddle. Four-year-old gelding Fürstenfeld and Pferdewirtin (fully qualified groom) Lena Lösche joined the Bavarian mare in the arena. This large black horse made his debut in front of a large audience with impressive ease. Also participating were, of course, Marbach pure-bred Arab stallion WM-Safi and his rider Sivia Wimmer. Even though it was technically a “home game” for the elegant grey horse, he was initially visibly excited. But with composure, consistency and his trainer Anja Beran on the ground, Safi then presented himself in experienced style and with noble radiance. The young stallion, after a short scare, even coped with a “test applause” from the audience with his rider at his side. Afterwards, licensed stallion Bailando by Boston out of a dam by Rivero II, owned by the Principal and State Stud of Schwaiganger and ridden by Eva Steinbach, also demonstrated how young horses should move according to the principles of classical dressage: supple, with the nose AHEAD of the vertical and with the poll as the highest point! Stud director of the Principal and State Stud of Schwaiganger, Dr. Eberhard Senckenberg, accompanied by his wife, and having specially made the journey on his birthday, was obviously pleased with the presentation of his horses. The crowning glory featured the absolute audience favourite: Haflinger Rudi with his owner Susi Lobenhofer. Rudi demonstrated that correct piaffe and passage are not reserved for specialists. The robust old-style Haflinger performed first attempts at canter pirouettes as well as basic work in all lateral movements with a certain confidence and great diligence. Lusitano stallion Novilunio under Anja Beran’s first professional rider Vera Munderloh was supposed to demonstrate the haute école of classical dressage as a conclusion to the programme. Unfortunately the stallion injured his jaw in his box so severe that his rider needed to bring him to the veterinary clinic. But Lusitanos are tough stuff and so Novilunio was able to return to Gut Rosenhof only two days later and has meanwhile made a full recovery.
