Philippe Karl's School of Légèreté UK

04/08/2026

▪️ BHS CPD Points Approved.
▪️Are you seeking elite continual professional development?
▪️Our upcoming Foundation Instructor Clinic , September 24th to 27th, with Master Teacher Catherine Marshall is officially a BHS-approved CPD event.
▪️Earn 6 BHS CPD Points to maintain your coaching credentials while mastering classical principles focused on absolute respect for the horse.
▪️Learn practical techniques to improve your clients' training.
▪️ Held at the Naturally Light Equitation Centre nr Daventry where you can observe professional teacher training first hand as student teachers advance in the Ecole de Légèreté (School of Lightness) system.
▪️We have 8 lessons per day including lunging/inhand, theory and pedagogy exams.
▪️Elevate your coaching career and refine your classical alignment. Our school is a bridge between the old classical masters and the present understanding of biomechanics, anatomy and ethology.

▪️Plus until September 3rd we have an early bird discount on spectator tickets usually £55 now £45 per day for the 24th/25th/26th and then £25 for the 27th which is half a day.
Click the link to secure your place:

https://legerete.co.uk/index.php/product/book-a-spectator-place-foundation/

30/07/2026

▪️Meet the Teachers at our September 24th to 27th Philippe Karls Foundation Instructor Course!
▪️Every instructor has a past life in the conventional horse world. In this series, we reveal what sparked our shift to the French classical tradition and why we are dedicated to passing this knowledge on to you.
▪️First up is Sarah Holland-Villa.

I began riding at the age of ten after persistently persuading my parents to let me have lessons. Horses fascinated me from the very beginning, and that passion has never faded.
After leaving school, I worked professionally with horses, gaining my BHS Instructor qualifications, managing a livery yard, producing young horses, and competing in show jumping and eventing. Even then, I was uncomfortable with force-based training methods and relied more on understanding why horses behaved as they did. Equine psychology has remained a lifelong interest.
After having children, I turned my focus to dressage, competing successfully to PSG level with the ambition of reaching Grand Prix. However, I became increasingly disillusioned with modern competitive dressage, particularly the training methods, management practices, and lack of emphasis on softness, lightness, and harmony. I realised I wanted a different path.
That search led me first to classical riding through the Training the Teachers of Tomorrow Trust, where I found an approach that better reflected my values. At the same time, my growing interest in equine soundness and longevity inspired me to qualify as an Equine Body Worker, Bit and Bridle Fitter, and Equine Thermography Technician.
Six years ago, I was introduced to the École de Légèreté. After attending a clinic with Sylvia Stössel, I knew I had found the philosophy I had been searching for. I was inspired by its progressive, horse-centred approach, particularly the clarity of the training, the concept of Mise en Main, and the emphasis on lightness, communication, and working without restrictive nosebands.
In September 2023, I began training as a Licensed Teacher of the École de Légèreté. After having two horses that could not continue the course due to lameness, I am now working with a young Andalusian gelding. I passed my theory examination in January 2025 and am currently working towards my Pedagogy and In-hand exams.
Today, I teach riders across Sussex and the surrounding area, with a passion for sharing the principles of the École de Légèreté and helping horse owners develop a deeper understanding of their horses. Alongside my teaching, I co-run an Equine Thermography business with my veterinary partner, Dr Kate Granshaw. I believe the future of horsemanship lies in combining modern veterinary science, equine psychology, and horse welfare with the principles of the best classical training. Through teaching, I hope to make this knowledge accessible to more riders, enabling them to build lighter, more harmonious partnerships with their horses. I truly believe the EDL system of training horses is for all horses and riders, from Riding Club Level to competition horses, both jumping and dressage.

▪️GET EARLY BIRD ACCESS.
▪️Plus we're also a BHS Approved CPD Event.

▪️Our next Foundation Instructor Clinic with Master Teacher Catherine Marshall
is on September 24th to 27th held at the Naturally Light Equitation Centre nr Daventry

▪️ Philippe Karl's philosophy of Légèreté builds a bridge between the old classical masters and the present understanding of biomechanics, anatomy and ethology.

▪️ For just a short time we're pleased to offer an early bird discount on spectator tickets .
Day tickets usually £55 now £45 !!!
▪️Come for 1,2 or 3 days, saving up to £30
Our Sunday is half a day at £25.
▪️Use code earlbirdseptfou26 until September 3rd.

▪️What to expect ;
8 Lessons per day
3 Lunging/Inhand exams
2 Pedagogy exams
1 Theory exam

https://legerete.co.uk/index.php/product/book-a-spectator-place-foundation/

▪️Use the discount code earlybirdseptfou26 when booking tickets.

▪️We hope to see you there.

28/07/2026

A new theory lecture by Philippe Karl, always a clear, logical and passionate educator.

We are thrilled to share a brand-new theory lesson featuring Philippe Karl in the video section of the APPEL Club!

Head over to the APPEL Club now, log in and dive into this inspiring new session!

Not a member yet? Join APPEL today to unlock exklusive content and member-only perks!

www.philippe-karl.com/become-a-member

27/07/2026

A FREE LESSON at our next Foundation Instructor Course on September 24th to 27th held at Naturally Light Equitation Centre, Preston Capes, near Daventry.

➡️ Are you interested in having a free pedagogy lesson with a student teacher of Phillipe Karl's School of Légèreté UK, with guidance and feedback from our Master Teacher Catherine Marshall ?

➡️ You will need to apply online by pressing on the link below. Thank you ⬇️

https://legerete.co.uk/index.php/uk-clinics-and-tickets/apply-to-be-a-guest-rider

21/07/2026

▪️GET EARLY BIRD ACCESS.
▪️Plus we're also a BHS Approved CPD Event.

▪️Our next Foundation Instructor Clinic with Master Teacher Catherine Marshall
is on September 24th to 27th held at the Naturally Light Equitation Centre nr Daventry

▪️ Philippe Karl's philosophy of Légèreté builds a bridge between the old classical masters and the present understanding of biomechanics, anatomy and ethology.

▪️ For just a short time we're pleased to offer an early bird discount on spectator tickets .
Day tickets usually £55 now £45 !!!
▪️Come for 1,2 or 3 days, saving up to £30
Our Sunday is half a day at £25.
▪️Use code earlbirdseptfou26 until September 3rd.

▪️What to expect ;
8 Lessons per day
3 Lunging/Inhand exams
2 Pedagogy exams
1 Theory exam

https://legerete.co.uk/index.php/product/book-a-spectator-place-foundation/

▪️Use the discount code earlybirdseptfou26 when booking tickets.

▪️We hope to see you there.

10/07/2026

‘First your hand follows the mouth, then the mouth follows your hand’

I used to believe a good hand was a still hand.

I’ve always known that having a good hand was something to aspire to.

I just thought that meant having a still hand.

Here’s how I understood it:

A good hand is still, but it can also give. It should be light and elastic, yet feel like you’re carrying the weight of a bag of sugar in each hand. To get there, you have to be willing to ride through the stage where the horse is heavy in the contact and wait for it to improve. Keep your hands low. Keep them still. And brace yourself for shoulder and arm ache for a while.

The bread and butter of my work has always been young and remedial horses.

The problem?

Their heads aren’t still.

Trying to keep my hands still meant carrying far more weight in the reins than I was comfortable with so eventually I went looking for a more satisfactory answer.

Now I realise I was confusing the end result of good training with the means of getting there.

A horse that is gradually trained towards balance, strength and self-carriage will eventually develop a steadier head carriage. Then the rider’s hands can become relatively still because they are simply following a body that is moving in balance.

But a young horse?

Their head is going to move a lot because their balance is all over the place.

And what helps them find that balance?

Your hands.

Sensitive, educated hands can help a horse shift weight off the forehand, unload one or both shoulders, mobilise the jaw to encourage relaxation, and guide them towards better balance.

To do that they have to move.

And even once a horse has found better balance, the hands still aren’t truly still. A horse using their back and spine freely creates a natural forwards and backwards movement of the head with every stride. The rider’s hands quietly follow that movement so they never block it.

I used to think a good hand was one that didn’t move.

Now I think a good hand is one that moves exactly as much as the horse needs it to. After all the only opinion of your hands that really matters is that of your horse.

30/06/2026

One of the best things about the Ecole de Légèreté is how any dedicated student can take the logical principles and apply them to best help their horse. You do not need a hugely expensive and talented horse to do lovely things together. But every horse does need to understand how to move in balance.

Licensed instructor Nikki Stephens runs a riding school in Somerset, the only one in the U.K dedicated to training in this philosophy. You can ride Nikki's own school horses or take your own for lessons, or join her clinics and workshops. From small ponies, to OTTB, wide backed cobs, or gangly iSH - Nikki enjoys teaching them all.

In this video she shares the progress of one of her students, Kaye and her horse Thalia. This is a very sweet natured Spanish mare, who is conformationally quite challenged, with very long back legs and a tendency to fall on to her forehand quite excessively as a result.

Nikki, Kaye and Thalia have been working together for some time to help keep this happy partnership moving well for many years to come.

26/06/2026

It is deeply disappointing not to be meeting up as a team of Légèreté instructors this weekend. However, thank you for the huge amount of support regarding prioritizing horse welfare in these unusual temperatures. We look forward to seeing you in November.

In more positive news, we will be launching a Légèreté Foundation Instructor course in the South West, with the first clinic in Spring 2027. The 3 year course will be headed up by brilliant Master Teacher Catherine Marshall, and hosted at the incredible Ayton PRE in North Tawton.

If you are an instructor or coach (even if only part time) interested in learning more about the principles and practice of the school, and who would like to be part of a community of like minded 'students of the horse' then please do get your application in as soon as possible. This is training like no other, with such a depth and breadth of information, and serious equestrian training program, that you will have your life changed by it!

Details to apply in the comments. Auditors will also be very welcome.

22/06/2026

☆ Cancelled Clinic ☆

After careful consideration, we have decided to cancel the Advanced Teacher Training clinic this weekend (26-28 June) due to the forecast high temperatures.
As horse welfare is always our priority, we do not feel it is appropriate to ask horses to travel and work in these conditions.
We know many of you were looking forward to attending, and we're disappointed too, but we believe this is the right decision for our horses.
Our next date with Sylvia Stössel at Naturally Light Equitation is 6th - 8th November
We will be in touch via email with information about spectator tickets refunds and transfers to the November clinic
Thank you for your understanding.

21/06/2026

There is a much needed shift occurring in the equestrian world.

As a community, we are beginning to openly talk about horses as sentient beings. Recognizing there is a cognitive dissonance occurring when we say we love our horses, but then ride or train in a way which involves pain, conflict or confusion. And that horses trained in a way which takes away their natural balance, their ability to move freely, see properly and even breathe - should not be winning prizes.

It has been wonderful to see the outpouring of delight about the recent bridleless competition and the ease and harmony witnessed there. Even with the caveat that these horses were predominately trained with bits and bridles, it revealed a desire in many riders for 'something different'.

And you may now find yourself in a positive place where you want to ride in a manner which restores to your horse their natural beauty and balance (and even enhances it) rather than detracts from it. However, understanding where to begin can be hard. A dream is one thing; the reality of knowing what to do can be challenging.

Philippe Karl, the founder of the Ecole de Légèreté, has spent his life advocating for the horse. And sharing his knowledge, insight and utterly logical approach to understanding what a horse needs if we want to ride them. And how - when we understand how to use our hands, body and minds - then a bit can form part of the solution rather than be the cause of the problems. A horse can actually find comfort in the relaxation, balance and release riding can offer, when a dedicated rider takes the time to understand and practice.

If you would like to know more, please do join master teacher Sylvia Stossel and the group of Légèreté instructors being trained by her, this coming weekend at Naturally Light Equitation.

You can find the details in the down below...