More: Re:Klimke died!

["Karen J. Zelinsky" <kjz2@juno.com>]

------Just getting more re: Klimke, .... hope it "rises above" all 
horse/rider disciplines  and appeals to all horse people!
************************88

I retrieved this from the Dressage List and thought you all might enjoy
reading this.  Make sure you read it the whole way through.

Take care,
Maribeth

>...The first time I met him, it was to do an interview for Chronicle of
the
>Horse. He had won the gold at Los Angeles, and he was here for the
clinic
>Faith Grimm talked about. (What he did with Federleicht was really
>wonderful--a lesson in what dressage/training REALLY is). He ended the
piaffe
>preparation by not only holding up his hands and producing outstanding
piaffe
>with the lightestseat/balance aid, he said,
>Look, Robert. No hands!
>
>and then he did the giggle he always did.
>
>Anyway, I got there early to LAEC (Los Angeles Eq. Center) and asked if
>anyone had seen Dr. Klimke yet. No, I was told, but I would be sure to
>recognize the Great Man--and his adoring entourage when they
arrived...so I
>sat down and waited.
>
>I saw the coffee/refreshments laid out near the judge's booth, and
wandered
>over there, got a cup of coffee, and sat back down, looking for my pen.
When
>I looked up, I saw a solitary figure walking around. The beige poplin
warmup
>jacket looked familiar from the year before at the Olympics...I
sauntered
>over--yes! it was Dr. Klimke. By himself, no entourage. I told him I
>recognized the jacket, and offered him my 'bribe' for the
interview--homemade
>banana bread. He nodded politely and said ,Lunch break.
>
>At lunch break, we had a wonderful intrerview. He told me to come after
the
>clinic if I wanted to talk more (IF! If! If I wanted to talk more!) So
we
>talked after the clinic...
>he thanked me for the banana bread, gave me his address so I could send
him a
>copy of the article.
>
>I did send it, and a few weeks later, got back the wonderful photo of
>Ahlerich that we saw everywhere--but with a thank you note inside,
saying he
>felt his thoughts were well represented,etc...
>
>I kept that card and his address in my pocketbook, so when I was
depressed
>over events, I could remember that they were there and there were goals
to
>aspire to, and self-discipline to maintain.
>Over the years, I would see him here and there. I always learned
something in
>our conversation, always came away with insights and perspectives--and
>giggles.
>
>I miss him and everything he stood for. And yes, I do know he could be a
>less-than-perfect human being sometimes--...But he was a bridge for us
all,
>and I do not know who exactly there is to replace him and carry on the
>welding of the traditions, classical and competitive..
>
>He said: First look at the eye and see if anyone is there to greet you.
Then
>look at the gaits.
>
>              It is not enough to find a world-class horse--you must
find a
>world-class horse that you can ride and train.
>
>              To give the horse the idea, and then to let him do it on
his
>own--it is to be  sitting like a god.
>
>There is a hole in dressage. I hope someone steps up and fills in.
>
>
--------- End forwarded message ----------

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