2014 Interview with Director of Training
Anthony Schmitz; Time N' Timber Ranch
Recently an interview with Anthony Schmitz was conducted to explore his opinions of the sport horse industry in the US.
Anthony Schmitz has 40 years experience riding, training, instructing and showing through FEI. Being originally from the Netherlands, he has extensive training by some of the Masters in Europe. He utilizes the longe line, long-lines, cavalletti, trail outings and arena riding to develop the correct musculature of each horse. Using the bio- mechanical movements of the horse riding patterns and exercises to teach the horse to go forward. This type of riding releases endorphins that bring pleasure to the horse while he gains strength and great confidence in himself. He teaches his students in much the same way through using exercises that develop core muscles, strong legs, an effective seat, correct timing and application of the aids and learning to ride with soft rein contact. Anthony is a compassionate, energetic, enthusiastic and effective teacher whose goal is simply to pass on all that he has learned and to watch his students and their horses progress to meet their goals and go on to surpass them.
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Reporter JS: How do you select the right horses and how do you know which ones will become the best at an early age?
Anthony Schmitz: I have learned how to choose horses with high probability of becoming champions however, a horse will quickly tell you where it’s strengths and shortcomings are both physically and psychologically. Horses are very honest creatures and will reveal themselves quickly if you know how to observe, what things mean and what can be done about it. While opinions often come quickly, answers and any required actions inevitably demand work on the part of the horse, the rider and the trainer. Ensuring your horse is of the proper maturity to succeed physically and mentally is critical. If any part of the link between horse, rider and trainer breaks down in the process, the probability of reaching sustainable and effective solutions falls quickly into jeopardy.
Reporter JS: What do you see as a major obstacle to proper training and working with horses and their riders
to become top contenders in the Dressage ring or in hunting, stadium jumping and eventing?
Anthony Schmitz: There is no substitute for having a healthy and mentally well- balanced horse. Often tension and in the worst cases conflict between commercialism in buying and selling sport horses overcomes taking the amount of time necessary with the right expertise to address any issues a horse and rider might have. I want to tell you that every horse has attributes and issues. The same can be said of every rider. There is no such thing as a perfect horse. Once problems are properly identified in behavior and performance, knowing the cause and what to do about it then taking the time to address it completely is the only sure path to success. At times the economics of sport horse marketing or rider impatience can overwhelm the situation and “fast fixes” come into play usually ending in disappointment. There are things that can be done to can give the appearance of implementing effective solutions; however time usually reveals all and often what is wrong remains wrong until expertise in correcting problems is brought to bear and sufficient effort is applied to truly bring the horse (and rider) onto the correct path to success.
Anthony Schmitz; Time N' Timber Ranch
Recently an interview with Anthony Schmitz was conducted to explore his opinions of the sport horse industry in the US.
Anthony Schmitz has 40 years experience riding, training, instructing and showing through FEI. Being originally from the Netherlands, he has extensive training by some of the Masters in Europe. He utilizes the longe line, long-lines, cavalletti, trail outings and arena riding to develop the correct musculature of each horse. Using the bio- mechanical movements of the horse riding patterns and exercises to teach the horse to go forward. This type of riding releases endorphins that bring pleasure to the horse while he gains strength and great confidence in himself. He teaches his students in much the same way through using exercises that develop core muscles, strong legs, an effective seat, correct timing and application of the aids and learning to ride with soft rein contact. Anthony is a compassionate, energetic, enthusiastic and effective teacher whose goal is simply to pass on all that he has learned and to watch his students and their horses progress to meet their goals and go on to surpass them.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reporter JS: How do you select the right horses and how do you know which ones will become the best at an early age?
Anthony Schmitz: I have learned how to choose horses with high probability of becoming champions however, a horse will quickly tell you where it’s strengths and shortcomings are both physically and psychologically. Horses are very honest creatures and will reveal themselves quickly if you know how to observe, what things mean and what can be done about it. While opinions often come quickly, answers and any required actions inevitably demand work on the part of the horse, the rider and the trainer. Ensuring your horse is of the proper maturity to succeed physically and mentally is critical. If any part of the link between horse, rider and trainer breaks down in the process, the probability of reaching sustainable and effective solutions falls quickly into jeopardy.
Reporter JS: What do you see as a major obstacle to proper training and working with horses and their riders
to become top contenders in the Dressage ring or in hunting, stadium jumping and eventing?
Anthony Schmitz: There is no substitute for having a healthy and mentally well- balanced horse. Often tension and in the worst cases conflict between commercialism in buying and selling sport horses overcomes taking the amount of time necessary with the right expertise to address any issues a horse and rider might have. I want to tell you that every horse has attributes and issues. The same can be said of every rider. There is no such thing as a perfect horse. Once problems are properly identified in behavior and performance, knowing the cause and what to do about it then taking the time to address it completely is the only sure path to success. At times the economics of sport horse marketing or rider impatience can overwhelm the situation and “fast fixes” come into play usually ending in disappointment. There are things that can be done to can give the appearance of implementing effective solutions; however time usually reveals all and often what is wrong remains wrong until expertise in correcting problems is brought to bear and sufficient effort is applied to truly bring the horse (and rider) onto the correct path to success.
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