100 SIDELINES SEPTEMBER 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
e
By Diana Hunt
Francisco Jose Garcia Ibañez is passionate about Classical
Dressage. So passionate that he has taken an extended sabbatical
from the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez de la
Frontera, Spain to come to the United States to teach riders and
train horses. With the title “Instructor/Professor/Clinician,” he is
considered by his peers to be one of the very best elite dressage
professionals in the world. We sat down with him in one of his
rare moments off a horse at Half Moon Stables in Aiken, South
Carolina.
You have taught riders and trained horses at the Royal
Andalusian School for over 25 years. What is the challenge
of teaching in the United States?
I want to spread the classic riding theory from the Royal School
to a broader audience. I wanted to bring it to this country because
it is further away from the European Baroque style and I see more
of a disconnect from the artistic way of riding. The ancient traditions
of classical riding emphasize harmony between horse and rider.
Here I see the sport of dressage as a series of goals often with
incorrect training that makes the horse appear to be correct but
later can do damage. But if you follow the classical equitation
principles of riding, it is more harmonious, more expressive, yet it
can still be competitive. I just want to show the Spanish horse at
its best and use the classical methods whereby any horse can be
trained. I have found there is a lot of interest in this.
Do you accept lower level riders for lessons?
Of course! I was taught to respect anyone who steps in a stirrup.
That way I can help many people. Everyone is entitled to achieve
their dreams, no?
What are you proudest of achieving at the Royal School?
Oleaje was a stallion that was assigned to me for four years to
train to Grand Prix. It turns out he was one of the horses on the
team that won the Silver Medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. My
good friend Ignacio Rambla rode him. It was good for all of us.
What is your training philosophy?
Let the horse fgure out what is the right way. If he is good and
gets it right he works a short time. If not, we work until he does get
it right but always staying light and sensitive. Then he is praised
and put away. They fgure out how to do it right. There are no
short cuts and there is no hurry.
What is the most important aspect you look for in a horse/
rider combination?
Feeling and respect between the two. Abilities of a rider or a
horse are not so important. The rider can teach the horse and the
horse can teach the rider. It works both ways.
Who are your Masters?
I learn from Nuno Oliveiro of Portugal and from Alvaro Domecq,
the founder of the Royal Andalusian School and my mentor from
the time I joined as a student when I was 14 years old. Nuno
said, “Equestrian art is the perfect understanding and harmony
between horse and rider.” That refects my philosophy.
What is the dumbest thing you’ve ever done involving
horses?
Be a horseman rather than a lawyer or doctor! It is an addiction.
I do remember being in England with dressage teams from four
countries. We went on a foxhunt and I was so excited having
jumped my frst time over a little log that I next jumped the gate
instead of stopping and opening it. The horse made it, but I didn’t.
Francisco Garcia can be reached at www.half-moon-dressage.
com for lessons, training and clinics.
About the writer: Diana Hunt is a life-long horsewoman and has been
photographing and writing about all things horse for a long time. She
recently relocated from Colorado to Aiken – because of a horse.
Francisco Garcia Photos by Diana Hunt
Francisco is training and teaching in Aiken, South Carolina,
taking an extended sabbatical from the Royal Andalusian School
of Equestrian Art in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain