In her video series on EQUESTRIAN+, FEI trainer Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel reviews the basis of the training scale: rhythm and tempo. While the riders may not be clear on the difference between rhythm and tempo, von Neumann-Cosel provides an explanation and describes how to approach them from the horse’s and the rider’s points of view.
Why Is the Training Scale Important?
“We choose the subject because it is a very, very basic and important element for bringing a dressage horse along.”
“What we are going to be trying to show is how the elements of the dressage training scale are related to each other.”
Rhythm and Tempo From the Horse’s Point of View
“Rhythm means the beat within the gait, so for example, in the walk it is a four-beat [gait], in a trot it is a two-beat [gait] and in the canter it is a three-beat [gait].”
“Then we have the tempo, which is the speed within the gait. If you think about dancing a waltz, you can dance a slow waltz or you can dance a fast waltz.”
Rhythm and Tempo From the Rider’s Point of View
“I think that the image of walking or dancing gives us the idea that our hips and our bodies have to follow what the horse’s body is doing.”
“In general, for maintenance of the rhythm as well as the tempo, I visualize that I have a metronome on the top of my head. And this metronome blends into or melts into my body all the way into my hips down into my legs so that I can support the horse, go with him and help him if I need to either quicken the tempo or slow the tempo or if I need to make the rhythm more pure.
Watch & Learn on E+
- You can watch Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel’s entire series on the training scale here on EQUESTRIAN+.
- For additional videos featuring von Neumann-Cosel’s top tips and training strategies, click here.
- From short training tips to how-to videos and insider-access to private clinics and lessons, learn more from top dressage experts on EQUESTRIAN+.
About Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel
Originally from Germany, Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel is an established and successful Grand Prix rider, trainer and clinician. She completed her “Reitlehrer” (federally certified Master Instructor) certification in Germany and served as a USDF examiner for the Instructor’s Certification Program. Von Neumann-Cosel is based in Woodbine, Maryland, where she resides as head trainer at First Choice Farm.
