So - what is the AAoR by Bent Branderup?
So - what is the AAoR by Bent Branderup?
Bent coined this name many years ago to describe the fact that it is necessary to study and to also put that study into practice in order to learn how to train horses and ride them well. He thinks of it as being similar to experimental archaeology where the old masters training advice is read, scrutinised and put into practice with the additional benefit of modern scientific biomechanical understanding.
Almost all horses are used for leisure activities. Very few horses work for a living now, only those used by the police, military and a few draft horses. Competitive equestrian sports are a form of leisure use.
People used to study horse craft in great depth because it was vital to use horses to earn an honest living, or to ride them into successful battles. Whole countries were won or lost on the backs of highly trained horses and the skills of their riders in hand-to-hand combat. From the moment guns were used in battle from horseback, the military training became more of a numbers game, concentrating on replacing lost soldiers and horses as fast as possible. People now study mechanical engineering and computer technology more avidly and our collective connection with horses is dwindling away.
Xenophon educated about equestrian skills in 4th Century BC
The first riding school was in Naples in 1532 (with Frederick Grisoné)
Antoine de Pluvinel was teaching in 1624
Duke of Newcastle 1665
Gueriniere 1733
Baucher 1842
Steinbrecht 1886
Oliviera 1970
Von Neindorff 1990s
Many others such as Hazlinsky, Schmitt Jenson and Stanier taught the lost gaits and used classical training in its various forms.
Bent Branderup was born in Denmark. He states that he was always curious to learn more about history, especially if it was related to horses. He travelled to Iceland, the Iberian peninsula and across Europe to learn, research and acquire hours in the saddle. He was a student with Maestro Don Francisco Javier Garcia Romero and Don Alvera Domecq Diaz, Salvador Sanchez and Egon Von Neindorff and a brief student with Nuno Oliviera.
His approach embodies peace and meditative calmness while working with a horse and is a welcome contrast to the stressful world which predominates. He devoted his development of the Academic Art of Riding to his beloved Knabstrupper, Hugin who had broken bones in three of his legs and became totally blind by the age of 8. Hugin passed away aged 28 having lead a full and meaningful active life to the end.
Bent says that his horses are very dear to him, which is why he wants to train them optimally and keep them happy and eager to work into old age.