Weather can take center stage in Devon, Pennsylvania, in late September, but on Thursday night, the audience packing the stands in the Dixon arena didn’t seem to mind the threatening, black clouds or the torrential downpour turning to steady rain. They were there to see the 2025 Masterclass with Ingrid Klimke presented by Capital Square at the Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon.
Klimke did not disappoint as three groups of two riders each improved their skills on a variety of horses under her watchful eye. The two three-day eventing riders, two dressage riders on small tour horses moving up the levels, and two horses working toward the Grand Prix tackled different skillsets—all with the use of Klimke’s signature cavaletti exercises. She uses them to help horses gain muscle, improve rhythm and supple joints thus proving her mantra that “every horse will benefit from working with cavaletti.”
First up, Isabel Bosley riding Connor and 5*eventer Hanna Sue Hollberg aboard Hachi rode through several exercises to promote improved rhythm, focus and having the horse “on their seat.”
They then moved onto an exercise suitable for introducing horses to the flying change. After setting the caveletti to their highest point, the riders “jumped” their mounts over the caveletti, then immediately turned and changed rein, forming the change in a bend while supporting the horses’ inside hind leg with the riders’ outside rein. Not only did it teach the horses about flying changes of lead, but Klimke said it was good for shaving precious seconds off a ride in a “jump-off” in the jumping ring by making the turn tight.
Afterward, Bosley said she appreciated Klimke’s guidance in suppling the horses while helping them remain relaxed while building their strength. Hollberg said she especially liked the exercise to teach young horses the flying change.
Next up were FEI dressage rider Jessica Jo (JJ) Tate riding Denali and German-born Grand Prix dressage rider Silva Martin aboard Zaphir. After the riders worked on caveletti to supple the horses, Klimke had them tackle more traditional elements of dressage, directing them to do half-pass while maintaining rhythm, suppleness and “a soft feel forward with the riders’ inside hand.” They also worked on pirouettes by starting them in a larger circle and then spiraling into a smaller circle in travers. Klimke explained the gymnastic exercise allows the rider more control with the inside leg by guiding the horses’ hindquarters in and out.
Tate said her takeaway from the Masterclass was that Klimke’s exercises created more athleticism in the horses and they brought out the best in the horses without stress or pressure. “I think it was a beautiful example of correct, positive riding.”
Next in the ring were FEI dressage rider Lauren Chumley aboard Maestre and International Grand Prix dressage rider Shannon Stevens on Lider, whom she has been riding for only two weeks. Their cavaletti exercises promoted good marching rhythm at the walk and collected walk. As they moved on to exercises aimed toward the horses moving toward the Grand Prix including canter zig-zags, lines of tempi changes, and piaffe and passage, Klimke directed them to use the exercises to allow the horses to ease into the movements before increasing difficulty. The worked on half-pass in preparation for the pirouette and starting the passage by trotting on a large circle before transitioning into the passage because the roundness of the circle is easier for the horses.
Afterward, Stevens praised Klimke’s focus on the dressage training scale and the use of proper stretching at the beginning and end of the gymnastic riding session. Chumley thanked Klimke for adding tools to her training toolbox to help her horses improve and move up the levels.
Want to watch the Masterclass replay by Clip My Horse? Check the Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon website for more information.