School of Lightness NZ

24/08/2025

2025 is proving to be an amazing year for Legerete in NZ!
With many highlights along the way, I really should have posted some of these milestones earlier… while not being the most active fb post-er, I am going to do my best to start putting some pins on the board 🙂 I’ll start with moments from earlier in the year in May 🍁🍂

Even though we are literally the furthest away from Europe that one can get! We still manage to be involved, thoroughly encouraged & supported by the core members of Legerete via APPEL, the Master Teachers, Philippe & Bea. 💝

In May 2025, the wonderful Legerete International Open Day presentation of Philippe Karl with High Noon, was their last public display. It was also a celebration of the world wide impact of Philippe's legacy, the philosophy and training, displaying posters of all the licensed & trainee teachers from around the world.
And yes, you guessed it - there was little ol’ New Zealand on the display board & our countries flag flying proudly alongside all the others 🥹

Yes, so far, it is just me here in NZ, with my big goal to have many other trainers learn & join us, so all the regions of New Zealand can have dedicated Legerete trainers to support the groups of riders I currently teach & to grow this magnificent way of ‘being’ with our horses so it becomes the new norm 😌

So yes, I am proud 🥹 I don’t like to make a scene & sometimes struggle to celebrate just how far I’ve come on my own journey, let alone how far this dedication has helped put New Zealand on the map as a integral part in the Equestrian world & spread of training Legerete.

Although in it’s infancy in New Zealand, it is steadily growing & changing the lives of many riders already ❤️ 🌏💫

VIDEO LINK: Seeing my NZ trainee teacher profile (at 1:16) alongside the others from around the world. 🇳🇿
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1733X5s4Nk/

PHOTO BELOW: Master Teacher Sylvia Stossel sending this special picture to me, pointing out the New Zealand flag in the shows display 🤩

11/06/2025

Amazing time in Palmerston North Region with truly lovely riders & horses - wow 🤩 I felt so lucky - based at Feilding RDA’s fabulous indoor arena - which was perfect for the fowl weather 💦⚡️💦
And now I start the drive home! 🚙

22/05/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AgL7Kqim5/?mibextid=wwXIfr

English below
High Noon – nicht nur ein Westernklassiker
High Noon, der legendäre Western aus dem Jahr 1952, erzählt die Geschichte eines Mannes, der allein gegen die Uhr und gegen das Unrecht kämpft. Es ist 12 Uhr mittags – der Moment der Entscheidung. Auch der Hannoveraner „High Noon“ trägt einen Namen, der nach Showdown klingt. Und tatsächlich: Sein Besitzer, der renommierte Reitmeister Philippe Karl, stellte sich ebenfalls einem übermächtigen Gegner – einem Ausbildungssystem, das mit Druck und Zwang arbeitet – auf Kosten der Gesundheit und Psyche der Pferde.

Lange kämpfte er fast allein. Nicht mit Revolver, sondern mit nichts als jahrzehntelanger Erfahrung, enormem Fachwissen, Artikeln, Büchern und DVDs Als ehemaliger Ecuyer im weltberühmten Cadre Noir von Saumur gestaltete Philippe Karl über Jahre hinweg den Höhepunkt der Gala-Vorführungen – klassische Reitkunst auf höchstem Niveau. Wie im besten Western tauchen Mitstreiter auf. Heute folgen weltweit zahlreiche Reiterinnen und Reiter seinem Weg der Légèreté oder gehen ähnliche Pfade einer respektvollen Ausbildung. Initiativen, wie R-haltenswert, sind gegründet worden, die den Reitern auf die Finger schauen.
Die Geschichte von Philippe Karl und High Noon ist vielleicht mehr als nur ein Zufall im Namen. Wer weiß: Vielleicht wird High Noon nicht nur als Filmklassiker, sondern auch als Symbol für einen Wendepunkt in der Reiterei in Erinnerung bleiben.

High Noon – More Than Just a Western Classic

High Noon, the legendary Western from 1952, tells the story of a man who fights alone against the clock and against injustice. It’s high noon – the moment of decision. The Hanoverian horse named High Noon also carries a name that echoes a showdown. And indeed: its owner, the renowned riding master Philippe Karl, also faced an overwhelming opponent – a training system based on pressure, coercion, often at the expense of the horses’ health and well-being.

For a long time, he fought almost alone. Not with a revolver, but armed only with decades of experience, profound expertise, articles, books and DVDs. As a former Ecuyer of the world-famous Cadre Noir in Saumur, Philippe Karl performed for years as the highlight of gala presentations – classical riding art at the highest level. But just like in the best Westerns, allies appeared. Today, countless riders worldwide follow his path of Légèreté or pursue similar approaches centered on respectful training. Initiatives like R-haltenswert have been founded to hold riders accountable and promote welfare.

The story of Philippe Karl and High Noon may be more than just a coincidence in name. Who knows: High Noon might be remembered not only as a film classic but also as a symbol of a turning point in the world of horsemanship.
-haltenswert

07/05/2025

💝 it’s a wrap! See you in November!
Légèreté Veronika Bühn
Ecole de Légèreté - Sydney
Horse & Soul

🫶🏻

04/05/2025

Me & Copy riding at the Teacher climic in Sydney 🧡
Photography: Stevanne Gratland

02/05/2025

Feeling very lucky to have had this spare day to prepare, take the time with my horse Copy 🧡 who was responsive & willing 👌🏻

01/05/2025

I’m off again! 🛫 see you soon Sydney!
Legerete Teacher clinic here I come 🤓

29/04/2025

I’ve been a bit quiet lately, lots of contemplation & organising, as well as finishing the school holidays…

I’m off to Sydney 🛫 for my Ecole de Legerete Teacher clinic with my Master Teacher Veronika Bühn (from Germany). It’s the first time I’ve been to this venue & I’ll get to meet my horse called Copy 🧡 the day before the clinic & have a quick ride/play to get acquainted.

I’m very grateful for all the help at home here that means I can go train, even if it is just one of the total-3 Australian clinics!

My timetable is below - it will be awesome watching all the other riders as well.
I can’t wait to get to the venue at Horse & Soul 🤗 and get settled in!

Will update hopefully each day (over wifi)! I’ll be buzzing so I’m sure they will be late night posts!

Sarah 🌻

P.S - next NZ lesson dates for South Auckland, Cambridge, Palmerston North & Christchurch will be posted soon, for the end of May onwards 🍂🍁🍂 & most areas will have indoor venues 👍🏻

12/04/2025

CAMBRIDGE
A couple of Lesson spaces still available!

this week: Tuesday 14 & Wednesday 15 April
@ 42 French Pass Road.
Spectators must book in too 🤓 I’ll have my mini speaker set up this time with my new head set!

Comment below, or message me if you would like to book a space on one or both days

Sarah 🌻

04/04/2025

Shared every FRIDAY! Video link in comments... Learn the why & how to train their horses with knowledge! Be open ;)

Send a message to learn more

16/03/2025

Some things are born to go together 💞

Unique & highly specialised… this core is true for both: Strada’s & Legerete