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Inside the Manège

Maria Cooke

Discover Classical Riding with Inside the Manège, and dive into insights from classical riders, training concepts, and equestrian culture rooted in the art of dressage and classical riding. My name is Maria Cooke and I'm a Zurich‑based, Canadian classical dressage rider and equestrian writer, who began as a hunter/jumper and moved to Europe to learn and practice my passion, classical dressage.


Join me as we explore:


  • The details of classical dressage, from biomechanics to self-carriage and balance
  • Baroque influences such as from the Portuguese and French classical equitation traditions
  • Training philosophies from classical masters (like Nuno Oliveira, François Baucher, and Gustav Steinbrecht)
  • Interviews and training principles that explain classical riding for riding today
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  • 7 episodes
  • every few months
  • Avg 1 hr 12 min
  • English

Episodes 7

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  • S1 · E7
    July 21 · 1 hr 25 min

    Marius Schneider: Why Groundwork & Adjusting the Horse’s Frame is Key, & Riding Beyond Piaffe/Passage

    Master Trainer of the Academic Art of Riding Marius Schneider shares why he chose Academic Riding, why he finds groundwork and changing the horse’s frame so crucial in the horse’s training, and how he uses the airs above the ground to benefit the horse. Marius Schneider teaches the Academic Art of Riding extensively, sharing his passion both at his own stable Gestüt Moorhof in Germany, as well as internationally and online. His focus is on encouraging his students to foster a better relationship with their horse, and developing horses from the basics to the High School dressage movements with playfulness, sensitivity, and lightness. From his liberty work to riding caprioles, levades, and mezairs bitless, if you’ve ever been curious to hear about Marius Schneider’s approach within the Academic Art of Riding and how he does what he does, this is the episode to listen to. In this episode, he shares: ◼️ Why work on the ground can be essential ◼️ Why it’s important to adjust the horse’s frame in training ◼️ How he combines riding on the bit with bitless riding ◼️ How one can use the airs above the ground to benefit the horse Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:59 Discovering Bent Branderup 04:24 What Do You Focus on in Your Own Work? 09:09 Why Is Work on the Ground So Important? 17:13 Longeing with the Cavesson, Snaffle, or Rope Halter 31:58 Training or Retraining a Horse to the Bit 37:04 When and Why Would You Use a Snaffle, Curb, or Bitless Bridle? 41:13 Stallions and Chewing the Bit 46:45 Encouraging the Horse to Seek the Bit 50:00 Lengthening the Frame and Neck 58:45 How Can the Airs Above the Ground Benefit the Horse? 1:10:01 Training the Horse to Collect from the Seat 1:12:56 Comparing Modern Dressage and the Academic Art of Riding 1:19:52 What Do You Wish More Riders Knew? 🐎 Follow Marius Schneider: Website: https://gestuet-moorhof.de/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MariusSchneiderGestuetMoorhof Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marius_schneider_moorhof 🎠 Follow INSIDE THE MANÈGE: Learn Classical Riding Online: https://www.insidethemanege.com Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidethemanege Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/insidethemanege Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InsidetheManege Maria's Blog & Classical Articles: https://mariacooke.com/ 🔔 Subscribe to INSIDE THE MANÈGE for more interviews with classical riders 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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  • S1 · E6
    May 30 · 1 hr 23 min

    Hélène Arianoff: The Classical Riding Aids, Nuno Oliveira, & Modern Dressage Competition | Ep. 6

    Hélène Arianoff, a Belgian classical rider with over 60 years experience and longtime student of Nuno Oliveira, shares how to use the classical riding aids, and how she thinks modern dressage could return to classical riding principles. Having taught all over the world, Hélène Arianoff is dedicated to passing on the principles she learned with Nuno Oliveira, and helping riders achieve the same moments of unity with the horse that she experienced through his training. Having learned with Nuno Oliveira for over 20 years, she has an incredible amount and depth of knowledge in classical riding, and how to adapt the details of training to each horse and rider. In this episode, she shares: ◼️ How to use the classical aids; the hands, legs, and seat ◼️ How judging and riding in dressage competition has changed ◼️ How to adjust the aids for different horses ◼️ How to use the seat and shoulder-in to collect the horse Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:30 Why Classical Riding? 05:20 What Do Riders Misunderstand? 08:41 The Right Position and Seat 17:47 How to use the Seat with Horses on the Forehand 23:12 What Do You See in Modern Dressage Competition? 31:21 How to Collect the Horse with Shoulder-in 38:27 How Do You Collect for the Piaffe? 47:19 How Do You Use the Legs? 53:14 How Do You Use the Hands? 1:04:15 Changing Competition & Justin Verboomen 1:10:07 How did Nuno Oliveira Change Your Riding? 1:13:17 Lessons from Nuno Oliveira 1:18:02 Returning to the Basics 🐎 Follow Hélène Arianoff: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helene.arianoff Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helenearianoff/ 🎠 Follow INSIDE THE MANÈGE: Learn Classical Riding Online: https://www.insidethemanege.com Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidethemanege Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/insidethemanege Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InsidetheManege Maria's Blog & Classical Articles: https://mariacooke.com/ 🔔 Subscribe to INSIDE THE MANÈGE for more interviews with classical riders 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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  • S1 · E5
    April 5 · 1 hr 25 min

    Classical Dressage for the Horse’s Long-Term Health: Sonja Weber on Optimising Posture | Ep. 5

    Sonja Weber, a classical rider and trainer with over 25 years of experience, shares how to keep the horse healthy long-term with classical dressage, through developing its carrying capacity. Passionate about sharing how training can be used to develop the horse’s body to support its health, she has written two books, and produced several films on how to use collection to build the horse’s thoracic sling muscles, and establish a healthy posture. Based in Germany, and originally from Austria, Sonja Weber has extensive experience using classical dressage to develop horses of a vast number of breeds, from Lusitanos and Arabians, to Icelandic horses and Haflingers. Sharing her insights online in both English and German, Sonja has a wealth of knowledge about the connection between biomechanics and classical training – and continues to inspire students and followers from around the world with her simple and straightforward insights. In this episode, we explore: ◼️ How to recognise Topline Syndrome and Abnormal Compensatory Posture ◼️ How the thoracic sling works and why it’s so important ◼️ How to use classical dressage for different breeds and conformations ◼️ How you can change a horse’s posture through training For this special episode, we filmed this conversation in Sonja’s native German, to make it easier to dive deep into the topic, and what you see here is an English translation. If you’d like to see the original German version, you can watch the full episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/gSWwp-XCBBg Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:01 How can you use training to keep the horse healthy long-term? 04:41 Using collection to develop the horse’s carrying capacity 10:21 Why is posture important, and how can you influence it? 14:50 Analysing piaffe and passage & modern competition 19:05 What’s the role of the forehand in collection? 21:35 Abnormal Compensatory Posture & changing the horse’s posture 27:26 Developing piaffe with multiple breeds & stallions’ natural posture 31:13 How Topline Syndrome and Abnormal Compensatory Posture develop 33:00 Elements of collection, balance, & the horse’s natural shock absorbers 41:14 The role of the back, and analysing the long & low position 47:26 What does the correct rotation of the horse’s spine look like? 52:56 What Sonja Weber’s own path has been like & healthy older horses 57:31 Working with different breeds & using classical dressage to benefit them 1:01:47 Working with traumatized horses & flight animal instincts 1:09:48 Using classical dressage across breeds and disciplines 1:13:39 What do you want to see more of in the sport dressage world? 1:17:49 Finding your own path & staying with one trainer 🐎 Learn more about Sonja Weber and her training: Website: https://www.sonja-weber-reitkunst.de/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonja.weberreitkunst Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonja_weber_reitkunst/ 🎠 Follow INSIDE THE MANÈGE: Learn Classical Riding Online: https://www.insidethemanege.com Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidethemanege Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/insidethemanege Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InsidetheManege Maria's Blog & Classical Articles: https://mariacooke.com/ 🔔 Subscribe to INSIDE THE MANÈGE for more interviews with classical riders 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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  • S1 · E4
    February 17 · 58 min

    Nuno Oliveira’s Art of Riding & Life: Pureza Oliveira on Her Father, His Books, and Her Story

    Pureza Oliveira, daughter of the now legendary classical rider Nuno Oliveira, shares stories of her father as a rider, an artist, and how her own story and artistic journey developed, told through her experiences with her father. Having translated both the collected early and later writings of Nuno Oliveira for the first time into English, she continues to be an important representative of her father’s life and work, and can uniquely share what it was really like to grow up with him, and observe him working with the horses. In this episode, Pureza describes her father’s big personality, his family, their daily life, her artistic work, and their shared artistic approach to life. As a great lover of music and master of equestrian art, Nuno Oliveira continues to inspire riders and is celebrated as one of, if not the greatest rider of the 20th century. In this episode, Pureza shares: ◼️ What Nuno Oliveira was like as a person and in riding ◼️ Stories of growing up and learning with her father ◼️ Her key role in translating his writings into English & Portuguese ◼️ How she developed her artistic work, and her father’s influence Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:32 Why Pureza Translated Nuno Oliveira’s Books 05:41 Work in Lisbon, and Building his Stable Quinta do Brejo 10:12 Nuno Oliveira’s Family & Great Riders at his School 13:28 What Was Nuno Like as a Person? 16:18 Nuno’s Daily Life & Accomplished Students 20:55 What was it Like to Learn With Him? 24:06 The Importance of Reading & Studying the Classics 27:05 Discussions with Classical Riders 28:04 Mr. Miranda, Nuno Oliveira’s Teacher 32:03 How Did Nuno Interact with Horses? 37:38 Pureza’s Artistic Family & Influences 40:44 Nuno’s Influence & Love for Music 44:13 Pureza’s Art & Nuno in Switzerland 48:11 Translating His Work into English & Portuguese 52:55 Nuno’s Theatrical Sense of Humour 56:04 Pureza’s Message for Listeners, and Nuno’s Passing 🐎 Learn more about Pureza Oliveira & Discover Her Artwork: Website: http://www.purezaoliveira.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pureza.oliveira.3 Silk Scarf Exhibition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-6VZ7FIjV0 🎠 Follow INSIDE THE MANÈGE: Learn Classical Riding Online: https://www.insidethemanege.com Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidethemanege Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/insidethemanege Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InsidetheManege Maria's Blog & Classical Articles: https://mariacooke.com/ 🔔 Subscribe to INSIDE THE MANÈGE for more interviews with classical riders 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Books Mentioned in this Episode: Equestrian Art: The Collected Early Writings (1951-1956) by Master Nuno Oliveira Equestrian Art: The Collected Later Works by Master Nuno Oliveira Princípios Clássicos da Arte de Ensinar os Cavalos Notable People Mentioned in this Episode: Bettina Drummond, João Oliveira, Dom Diogo de Bragança, Ghuilerme Borba, Miguel Tavora, João Filipe Figueiredo Graciosa, José de Ataíde, Jaime Celestino da Costa, Master Miranda, João Nuncio, Catherine Laurenty, Sara Oliveira, Desiree du Pisanie.

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  • S1 · E3
    Dec 13, 2025 · 1 hr 13 min

    Anja Beran: The Crisis of Modern Riding & Using Dressage as Physiotherapy

    Anja Beran, a highly respected classical rider and trainer based in the south of Germany, shares where modern riding has lost its way – and why we should return to training dressage based on classical principles. With over 30 years of experience, Anja Beran has taught internationally and written several books on classical training. From Iberian horses to Akhal-Tekes and warmbloods, she applies classical principles to bring out the best in horses of all breeds, conformations, and backgrounds. Her success in rehabilitating modern sport horses using dressage as a form of physiotherapy has also set her apart as a skilled trainer, and she has also collaborated with sport organisations such as German state-owned stud farm Marbach. Through her dedication to the art and science of classical riding, to her horses and many beloved animals, as well as to her students around the world, she has become one of the most well-respected classical trainers today. In this episode, she shares: ◼️ How to ride according to the nature of the horse ◼️ How piaffe, passage, and extended trot today are often distorted – even in high level competition ◼️ How to use the Spanish walk to develop a horse gymnastically ◼️ How to use dressage as physiotherapy for the horse Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:40 Why is Classical Training Important Today? 03:32 How Do You Define Classical Training? 06:38 When Horses are Pushed too Soon 08:40 How Do You Train Young Horses Differently? 18:37 The Origin of Tempi Changes, and Natural and Unnatural Movements 20:06 The Benefits of Using the Spanish Walk 23:29 How Anja Beran Rehabilitates Sport Horses 31:23 The Correct Working Neck Position 35:42 Recognizing Faults in High-Level Piaffe, Passage, and Extended Trot 41:49 Developing Soft Contact, and the Descente des Mains et Des Jambes 48:07 Using the Seat More, and the Hands and Legs Less 50:06 Straightening a Crooked Horse* 56:37 How Studying Dressage Influenced Anja Beran’s Work 1:00:00 Helping Challenging Horses with Dressage as Physiotherapy 1:08:00 What Anja Beran is Working on Now 1:10:09 How to Continue Learning from Anja Beran 🐎 Learn more about Anja Beran’s Work and Foundation: Website: https://www.anjaberan.de/en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100043906910677# Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anjaberan.foundation/ 🎠 Follow INSIDE THE MANÈGE: Learn Classical Riding Online: https://www.insidethemanege.com Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidethemanege Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/insidethemanege Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InsidetheManege Maria's Blog & Classical Articles: https://mariacooke.com/ 🔔 Subscribe to INSIDE THE MANÈGE for more interviews with classical riders 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. *At 52:55, “from left to right” refers to the horse’s movement in relation to the left and right sides of its body, rather than the ridden direction on the track. Therefore, in this instance, “from left to right” refers to riding left shoulder-in on the left rein. *At 53:06, for a horse crooked to the left, asking for shoulder-in where the horse moves its body “from right to left” refers to shoulder-in right, on the right rein. This can help stretch the left “hollow” side of the horse.

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  • S1 · E2
    Oct 24, 2025 · 1 hr 12 min

    Philippe Karl on the Problems of Modern Dressage and the Essence of French Classical Riding

    Philippe Karl, renowned rider and teacher of French classical riding, shares his passionate critiques of modern dressage riding, and discusses how we can train according to the nature of the horse, and what differentiates the French classical tradition. Philippe Karl has been riding and teaching for over 50 years, and was a rider of the famous Cadre Noir in Saumur, France for 13 years. Having started his own school called the School of Lightness, or l’École de Légèreté, he has taught students and instructors around the world. A vocal advocate for kind and logical horse training, he has debated with dressage authorities such as Christoph Hess on the current state of dressage training and suggested making changes for the future of the sport. In this episode, he shares: ◼️ How some common training techniques do not correspond to the nature of the horse ◼️ Why hyperflexion isn’t healthy and where modern dressage has become distorted ◼️ What defines French classical riding ◼️ How he gets a heavy horse light in the mouth Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:14 Defining What Classical Means and the Horse’s Nature 03:11 Is Modern Dressage a Positive Evolution? 06:34 How to Educate a Horse Differently 10:50 The Modern German Influence on the Dressage World 14:59 Changing Misconceptions of Training and Baucherism 25:05 Principles of Baucher and the French Tradition 31:35 The Myth of Uniform Bend Through the Whole Spine 37:24 Why is Riding in a Low and Hyperflexed Position Unhealthy? 44:15 Why Dressage Horses Break Down 50:59 Debating with Christoph Hess and Working the Horse at the Walk or Halt 57:49 What are Flexions and How to Make the Horse Light in the Mouth 1:10:00 Breaking The Learning Process into Small Pieces 1:11:32 What Would You Recommend for Riders Listening? 🐎 Learn more about Philippe Karl’s Work and the School of Lightness: Website: https://www.philippe-karl.com/ Facebook: https://www.philippe-karl.com/social-media 🎠 Follow INSIDE THE MANÈGE: Learn Classical Riding Online: https://www.insidethemanege.com Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidethemanege Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/insidethemanege Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InsidetheManege Maria's Blog & Classical Articles: https://mariacooke.com/ 🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with classical riders 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

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  • S1 · E1
    Aug 6, 2025 · 48 min

    Luís Valença on Equestrian Art, Nuno Oliveira, and What Makes a Classical Rider.

    Classical dressage master Luís Valença shares about equestrian art, stories of his work with horses and Nuno Oliveira, and what makes a classical rider. Luís Valença is a renowned Portuguese classical master with over 60 years of experience. He studied directly with masters such as Nuno Oliveira, worked with the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, and has been driving spectacular equestrian shows like Apassionata and Cavalluna with his family. For over 40 years, he has taught and trained horses and riders on his own farm in Portugal, where his daughters continue to teach in this tradition. In this episode, he shares: How Nuno Oliveira transformed his horses using the system of François Baucher The story of one horse that changed the course of his life and career What differentiates riders who advance to equestrian art, from those who can only ride What makes a rider truly classical 🔍 To watch this episode with subtitles, subscribe to the podcast on YouTube and turn on closed captions for the video. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 2:24 - Developing a Classical Rider with Freedom 3:36 - Sport Dressage Riders with a Classical Foundation 4:47 - Nuno's Passion and Listening to Classical Music 6:11 - Story of Nuno Oliveira, Harpalo Prince, and Equestrian Art 9:41 - My Masters, Background, and the methods of François Baucher 15:03 - The Story of Sultão and the Beginning of Apassionata and Cavalluna 19:10 - Why Riders Come to My Stables from Around the World 27:38 - Working with Different Horses like Lusitanos and Warmbloods 30:33 - Story of Nuno Oliveira and Bunker, with Hélène Arianoff and Michel Henriquet 35:49 - Using the Aids Without Force, and Classical Dressage 38:38 - What Exercises Help the Rider Improve their Aids 40:02 - The Role of Love in Working with Horses 41:38 - The Pictures in My Arena and My Inspirations 44:36 - How Can People Learn from My Methods? 🐎 Learn more about Luís Valença’s Work Through the Valença Academy: Website: https://www.valencaequestrianacademy.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valencaclassicalriding Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValencaEquestrianTours Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069242888414 Cavalluna Shows (EU): https://www.cavalluna.com/en 🎠 Follow INSIDE THE MANÈGE: Learn Classical Riding Online: https://www.insidethemanege.com Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidethemanege Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/insidethemanege Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InsidetheManege Maria's Blog & Classical Articles: https://mariacooke.com/ 🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with classical riders 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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Showing 1–7 of 7 episodes