Carl Hester puts his heart into everything he does.
The world’s number six-ranked dressage rider is also a remarkable trainer, whose even greater hallmark can be summed up simply as “horseman.”
Known not only for his ability to handle any situation with a horse (did you see his tactful world championships ride on a revved-up Fame?), he is also renowned for his consideration in the way he deals with horses.
Add in the well-crafted explanations he offers about how to make the best of a mount, along with his delightful sense of humor, and you’ll understand what a treat it was to have him present the Capital Square Masterclass at Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon.
The architect of Great Britain’s landmark rise to Olympic dressage team and individual gold at that country’s 2012 home Games, Carl, at 59 the oldest dressage competitor at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is worthy of every accolade available.
He was appreciated not only by the diverse group of participants in his Thursday evening clinic, but also by a crowd that was eager to learn. They got their money’s worth from his presentation at the hallowed showgrounds on Philadelphia’s Main Line.
Devon resonates with Carl for several reasons, not the least of which is that he’s fond of a county in Southwest England by the same name. Although he has seen competition from the USA’s Devon showgrounds on television, he was surprised when he arrived.
“I haven’t been here before,” he told me as we chatted during a reception in his honor after the Masterclass.
“It’s just so lovely, quaint, English. It actually looks much bigger on TV than when you’re here. It’s not frills; it’s very down-to-earth basic. It has a lovely vibe and feeling to it and I’ve enjoyed that. I’m glad they asked me.”
Being center stage for an evening of critiques involving horses he saw only once before, in a session on Wednesday, offered the potential to be “quite daunting.”
That’s the case even for someone with Carl’s resumé, “when you look at the clinicians who have been here over the last few years,” he said. (It’s a list that includes world number one Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and the USA’s 2021 Olympic heroine, Sabine Schut-Kery).
“I knew I had to deliver something different and interesting,” Carl said.
“It has to be educational as well as fun.”
Those in the stands were “probably10 percent professionals, and a lot of people who just want a nugget of information you’re trying to give,” explained Carl, saying that he likes to impart that information with “a little bit of humor.”
He definitely had the attention of his audience; no one was idly chatting, they were riveted on what he had to say.
“You do have to engage with an audience. That’s what we’re here for,” said Carl.
“It’s time to give everything you know, back. My method is what everyone’s taught me,” Carl explained, citing mentors from Harry Boldt to Dr. Wilfried Bechtolsheimer.
Carl always has something to say that can resonate with everyone. He wanted a variety of horses to work with, from youngsters (Alison Nemeth’s ride was only four years old) to horses starting Grand Prix, and even a thoroughbred and a Clydesdale.
“Give me something that’s different. That was the point of tonight,” said Carl.
Carl Hester with clinic participants Lehua Custer, Alison Nemeth, Hannah Irons, Christina Morin-Graham, Denise Steele, Karthrin Heim and Lauren Kimmel.
“It’s very easy to do a demo with fabulous horses, fabulous riding. It’s actually much more educational to take your atypical types with very receptive riders.”
He pointed out he learned a lot himself in the beginning of his riding experience, because he “didn’t come from a horsey family. I wasn’t educated before I was 16. Which has probably helped me maybe be able to help people who have a horse who is not typical.
“My living came from riding every horse I could get my hands on before I finally found some good ones. I didn’t win a medal before I was 40; my medals came from 40 onwards.”
Carl grew up on the island of Sark in the English Channel, where cars are banned and Clydesdales keep busy pulling carriages and other vehicles. He took care of the horses, but his only opportunity to actually ride came when he was taking them back to their pastures at the end of the day. That gave him a real affinity with participant Kathrin Hain, a professional dressage rider who was aboard Windsor Road Beau, a very cooperative 10-year-old Clydesdale.
The Clydesdale reminded Carl Hester of his youth on Sark.
The horses were presented in pairs, so Carl could concentrate on one while the other warmed up or relaxed. It went well until Lehua Custer’s 10-year-old stallion, Fortunato H20 OLD, set eyes on his partner for the clinic, Denise Steele’s Swiss warmblood mare, Donja KWG. It was, shall we say, love at first sight, as became all too evident to the spectators.
Carl tactfully referred to the stallion’s reaction as distraction and worked with him to get his mind on other things. Afterward, Lehua laughed about her horse’s decorum, calling it “the best night of his life.”
Christina Morin-Graham, a Dressage at Devon board member, filled in with her mare Evie, a “six-year-old with a brain” when Lindsay Kellock’s previously scheduled horse couldn’t make it.
She appreciated his whole concept of :”giving.”
Christina explained, “He kept asking me to pat my horse, but what he meant was `Give the reins.’ ”
She summed up his approach as, “How to ride better for your horse.”
Christina noted that two of her friends, who are amateur dressage riders, said they got the most out of the session with the Clydesdale and the thorughbred.
The show continues Friday with qualifiers for the Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle. The finals for those classes will be held Saturday evening.
For more information, go to this link.
