Our Teachers
Egon von Neindorff
My unforgotten Mentor and Teacher of the Pure School of Classical Equitation
Until his death in May 2004, Egon von Neindorff was one of the last keepers of the ‘Grail’ of Classical Equitation, which he referred to as ‘the Pure School’.
His equestrian training was initially undertaken by his father, and later by well known equestrian experts such as Felix Buerkner, Richard Waetjen, Ludwig Zeiner, Otto Loerke and also Alois Podhajsky. After the War, Egon von Neindorff moved to Loerrach where he set up a riding school with the horses he brought with him from Saxonia, and organized one of the first competitions after the Second World War.
In 1949, Egon von Neindorff and his horses moved into the now listed Riding Institute in Karlsruhe. Until 1954, he competed exceptionally successfully, and subsequently, he concentrated exclusively on training and teaching Classical Equitation. The festive displays which were held annually since 1954, mirrored the teaching at the Riding Institute and clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of correct training methods. Instructors from all over the world sent their students to Karlsruhe to further their training.
“Riding cannot be learnt,
it has to be studied.”
Egon von Neindorff
The Institute placed great emphasis on ethical and moral values such as a certain etiquette and good manners shown to each other and also the horses. Furthermore, mutual respect, modesty, courtesy, a clean and tidy appearance, and most importantly, self-discipline sometimes bordering on self-sacrifice, were considered important virtues.
Equitation or the Art of Riding means to cultivate the movement of the horse with as little effort as possible, Egon von Neindorff stipulated. Students at the Institute were taught the perfect seat, and in conjunction with nearly imperceptible aids, the horse was brought into balance under the rider. As a result, it was able to carry itself in all the gaits and through all the movements. The horse was never reduced to being a mere recipient of orders, it should wait for the rider’s instructions out of its own volition and be happy to give its best. The horse was considered a partner, and not a piece of sports equipment.
Egon von Neindorff was awarded the German Federal Service Cross and the German Riders’ Cross in Gold. He was ‘always on duty’, as he himself used to put it. Only a few hours before he died on 19 May 2004, he was busy doing what he loved – training his students.
Arthur Kottas-Heldenberg
The former First Chief Rider of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna
His Philosophy was built during his time in the Spanish Riding Scholl in Vienna. The goal and hope is to keep the principals and moral value of the classical horsemanship.
Arthur Kottas-Heldenberg started his education in 1960 at the Spanish Riding School being taught by Alois Podhajsky. In 1964 he became an Assistant Rider. Within a very short time, he become Chief Rider in 1981 and First Chief Rider in 1995. Becoming one of the youngest Chief Riders in the long history of the SRS.
During his time at the SRS he was responsible for anything from hands on training of the Stallions in hand and under the saddle, as well as the training and education of the Staff, from the Eleves all the way up to other Chief Riders. He was also responsible for the selection of talented young stallions from Piper to be trained at the School.
Most of the people know him from the many exquisite performances that he took part in, at nearly every special event, such as the unforgettable Pas de demux with Klaus Krizsch, school above the ground in saddle as well as work in hand, long reins and of course the legendary Quadrille.
“Take your time, but do not waste it!”
Arthur Kottas-Heldenberg
His students are successful on an international level. He is also a FEI Judge. Since 2010 we are training on a regular basis with Arthur. Every three months he comes to visit the facilities of Reitverein Rotensol to support us in our training. Since 2012 I am acting Co-Trainer at Lipica Stud, training the young performance riders. A few days each month we travel to Lipica Stud to support the staff in their training with the stallions.
At the end of 2014 we were booked by the Slovenian FEI in cooperation with the Slovenian Olympic Committee for a Trainer Seminar.
