Inside the Manège

Maria Cooke

Discover Classical Riding with Inside the Manège, and dive into insights from classical riders, training concepts, and equestrian culture rooted in the art of dressage and classical riding. My name is Maria Cooke and I'm a Zurich‑based, Canadian classical dressage rider and equestrian writer, who began as a hunter/jumper and moved to Europe to learn and practice my passion, classical dressage. Join me as we explore: The details of classical dressage, from biomechanics to self-carriage and balanceBaroque influences such as from the Portuguese and French classical equitation traditionsTraining philosophies from classical masters (like Nuno Oliveira, François Baucher, and Gustav Steinbrecht)Interviews and training principles that explain classical riding for riding today

Episodes

  1. Anja Beran: The Crisis of Modern Riding & Using Dressage as Physiotherapy

    13/12/2025

    Anja Beran: The Crisis of Modern Riding & Using Dressage as Physiotherapy

    Anja Beran, a highly respected classical rider and trainer based in the south of Germany, shares where modern riding has lost its way – and why we should return to training dressage based on classical principles.  With over 30 years of experience, Anja Beran has taught internationally and written several books on classical training. From Iberian horses to Akhal-Tekes and warmbloods, she applies classical principles to bring out the best in horses of all breeds, conformations, and backgrounds. Her success in rehabilitating modern sport horses using dressage as a form of physiotherapy has also set her apart as a skilled trainer, and she has also collaborated with sport organisations such as German state-owned stud farm Marbach. Through her dedication to the art and science of classical riding, to her horses and many beloved animals, as well as to her students around the world, she has become one of the most well-respected classical trainers today. In this episode, she shares: ◼️ How to ride according to the nature of the horse ◼️ How piaffe, passage, and extended trot today are often distorted – even in high level competition ◼️ How to use the Spanish walk to develop a horse gymnastically ◼️ How to use dressage as physiotherapy for the horse Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:40 Why is Classical Training Important Today? 03:32 How Do You Define Classical Training? 06:38 When Horses are Pushed too Soon 08:40 How Do You Train Young Horses Differently? 18:37 The Origin of Tempi Changes, and Natural and Unnatural Movements 20:06 The Benefits of Using the Spanish Walk 23:29 How Anja Beran Rehabilitates Sport Horses 31:23 The Correct Working Neck Position 35:42 Recognizing Faults in High-Level Piaffe, Passage, and Extended Trot 41:49 Developing Soft Contact, and the Descente des Mains et Des Jambes 48:07 Using the Seat More, and the Hands and Legs Less 50:06 Straightening a Crooked Horse* 56:37 How Studying Dressage Influenced Anja Beran’s Work 1:00:00 Helping Challenging Horses with Dressage as Physiotherapy 1:08:00 What Anja Beran is Working on Now 1:10:09 How to Continue Learning from Anja Beran 🐎 Learn more about Anja Beran’s Work and Foundation: Website: https://www.anjaberan.de/en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100043906910677# Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anjaberan.foundation/ 🎠 Follow the INSIDE THE MANÈGE Podcast: Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariacequestrian/  Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariacookeequestrian  Website/Blog: https://mariacooke.com/  🔔 Subscribe to INSIDE THE MANÈGE for more interviews with classical riders 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. *At 52:55, “from left to right” refers to the horse’s movement in relation to the left and right sides of its body, rather than the ridden direction on the track. Therefore, in this instance, “from left to right” refers to riding left shoulder-in on the left rein. *At 53:06, for a horse crooked to the left, asking for shoulder-in where the horse moves its body “from right to left” refers to shoulder-in right, on the right rein. This can help stretch the left “hollow” side of the horse.

    1h 13m
  2. Philippe Karl on the Problems of Modern Dressage and the Essence of French Classical Riding

    24/10/2025

    Philippe Karl on the Problems of Modern Dressage and the Essence of French Classical Riding

    Philippe Karl, renowned rider and teacher of French classical riding, shares his passionate critiques of modern dressage riding, and discusses how we can train according to the nature of the horse, and what differentiates the French classical tradition. Philippe Karl has been riding and teaching for over 50 years, and was a rider of the famous Cadre Noir in Saumur, France for 13 years. Having started his own school called the School of Lightness, or l’École de Légèreté, he has taught students and instructors around the world. A vocal advocate for kind and logical horse training, he has debated with dressage authorities such as Christoph Hess on the current state of dressage training and suggested making changes for the future of the sport. In this episode, he shares: ◼️ How some common training techniques do not correspond to the nature of the horse ◼️ Why hyperflexion isn’t healthy and where modern dressage has become distorted ◼️ What defines French classical riding ◼️ How he gets a heavy horse light in the mouth Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:14 Defining What Classical Means and the Horse’s Nature 03:11 Is Modern Dressage a Positive Evolution? 06:34 How to Educate a Horse Differently 10:50 The Modern German Influence on the Dressage World 14:59 Changing Misconceptions of Training and Baucherism 25:05 Principles of Baucher and the French Tradition 31:35 The Myth of Uniform Bend Through the Whole Spine 37:24 Why is Riding in a Low and Hyperflexed Position Unhealthy? 44:15 Why Dressage Horses Break Down 50:59 Debating with Christoph Hess and Working the Horse at the Walk or Halt 57:49 What are Flexions and How to Make the Horse Light in the Mouth 1:10:00 Breaking The Learning Process into Small Pieces 1:11:32 What Would You Recommend for Riders Listening? 🐎 Learn more about Philippe Karl’s Work and the School of Lightness: Website: https://www.philippe-karl.com/ Facebook: https://www.philippe-karl.com/social-media 🎠 Follow Inside the Manège: Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariacequestrian/  Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariacookeequestrian  Website/Blog: https://mariacooke.com/  🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with classical riders 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

    1h 13m
  3. Luís Valença on Equestrian Art, Nuno Oliveira, and What Makes a Classical Rider.

    06/08/2025

    Luís Valença on Equestrian Art, Nuno Oliveira, and What Makes a Classical Rider.

    Classical dressage master Luís Valença shares about equestrian art, stories of his work with horses and Nuno Oliveira, and what makes a classical rider.  Luís Valença is a renowned Portuguese classical master with over 60 years of experience. He studied directly with masters such as Nuno Oliveira, worked with the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, and has been driving spectacular equestrian shows like Apassionata and Cavalluna with his family. For over 40 years, he has taught and trained horses and riders on his own farm in Portugal, where his daughters continue to teach in this tradition. In this episode, he shares: How Nuno Oliveira transformed his horses using the system of François BaucherThe story of one horse that changed the course of his life and careerWhat differentiates riders who advance to equestrian art, from those who can only rideWhat makes a rider truly classical🔍 To watch this episode with subtitles, subscribe to the podcast on YouTube and turn on closed captions for the video. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 2:24 - Developing a Classical Rider with Freedom 3:36 - Sport Dressage Riders with a Classical Foundation 4:47 - Nuno's Passion and Listening to Classical Music 6:11 - Story of Nuno Oliveira, Harpalo Prince, and Equestrian Art 9:41 - My Masters, Background, and the methods of François Baucher 15:03 - The Story of Sultão and the Beginning of Apassionata and Cavalluna 19:10 - Why Riders Come to My Stables from Around the World 27:38 - Working with Different Horses like Lusitanos and Warmbloods 30:33 - Story of Nuno Oliveira and Bunker, with Hélène Arianoff and Michel Henriquet 35:49 - Using the Aids Without Force, and Classical Dressage 38:38 - What Exercises Help the Rider Improve their Aids 40:02 - The Role of Love in Working with Horses 41:38 - The Pictures in My Arena and My Inspirations 44:36 - How Can People Learn from My Methods? 🐎 Learn more about Luís Valença’s Work Through the Valença Academy: Website: https://www.valencaequestrianacademy.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valencaclassicalriding Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValencaEquestrianTours Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069242888414 Cavalluna Shows (EU): https://www.cavalluna.com/en 🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with classical riders 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

    49 min
  • 3 Episodes

About

Discover Classical Riding with Inside the Manège, and dive into insights from classical riders, training concepts, and equestrian culture rooted in the art of dressage and classical riding. My name is Maria Cooke and I'm a Zurich‑based, Canadian classical dressage rider and equestrian writer, who began as a hunter/jumper and moved to Europe to learn and practice my passion, classical dressage. Join me as we explore: The details of classical dressage, from biomechanics to self-carriage and balanceBaroque influences such as from the Portuguese and French classical equitation traditionsTraining philosophies from classical masters (like Nuno Oliveira, François Baucher, and Gustav Steinbrecht)Interviews and training principles that explain classical riding for riding today

Information

  • Creator
    Maria Cooke
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Maria Cooke
  • Show Website
    Inside the Manège

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