BERNIE TRAURIG
JUMPERS • HUNTERS • EQUITATION • DRESSAGE • EVENTING
As a Horseman, Bernie is renowned for not only his riding talents but for his teaching and coaching gifts. As a competitor, Bernie has represented the United States Equestrian Team both at home and abroad on many occasions and reached the top of the sport in all 3 of the International Equestrian Olympic disciplines: Show Jumping, Dressage, and Eventing. In 2009 he was inducted into the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame. In 2010 the California Professional Horsemen's Association honored him with their Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2012 he was awarded the USHJA President’s Distinquished Service Award. He is recognized as a legend in the sport. As a teacher and trainer, he is one of the most sought after clinicians in the country today. His talent for teaching goes back to his roots where he was fortunate enough to have been educated by some of the very best Master Instructors this country and the world have to offer. He served as the West Coastʼs associate Chef d’ Equip to George H. Morris, the former Chef d’ Equip of the United States Olympic Equestrian Team. After amassing over 60 years worth of training and riding techniques and experiences with thousands of horses, Bernie is driven to give back to the sport that has given him so much fulfillment and success. Click here to learn more about Bernie.
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BERNIE'S VIDEO TOPICS (NEW ONES ADDED MONTHLY):
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Air Time - Getting Tight In The Tack Over Jumps With Zazou Hoffman Maintaining a secure balance with your horse over the fence is crucial. In this video Bernie outlines a series of exercises designed to improve your balance & security in the tack - beautifully demonstrated by Maclay winner, Zazou Hoffman. Running Time: 12 minutes and 47 seconds |
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An Advanced Gymnastic School to Improve the Horse’s Jump Gymnastic jumping exercises are used to strengthen every aspect of the horse’s jumping mechanism. In this topic, Bernie schools Hanna Mauritzson and her Grand Prix jumper prospect, Cilandro, over a gymnastic designed to enhance his front end and ability to shorten his stride between elements. Cilandro was recently imported from Europe where he developed a dependance on his previous rider who “protected his front end.” Bernie and Hanna have been working with this horse to be more self-reliant, reactive and quick off the ground with his front end. Running Time: 5 minutes and 18 seconds Gymnastics referred to in this video: The Kusner Gymnastic - presented by Bernie Traurig The Winkler Gymnastic - presented by Bernie Traurig |
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An Exercise To Perfect The Automatic Release A great way to get off the neck for balance and move from the crest release to connection with the mouth, or the "Automatic Release." Running Time: 12 minutes and 7 seconds |
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An OTTB Jumping School With Bernie Meet Nicole Weakley and her OTTB mare, Tribella, who she originally claimed as a racehorse in 2016. Nicole was her exercise rider & owner for 2 years before retiring her from the racetrack sound. In her new career as a jumper Tribella has a tendency to get strong and quick on course. Nicole turned to Bernie for his insights and to learn some strategies to counteract her mare’s impulse to “make a bid” at the jumps. Click here for "Training the OTTB Horse" Click here for "Training the OTTB Horse - Session Two" If you are a member that owns a Thoroughbred in the Southern California area and are interested in participating in a FREE TB Training Session with Bernie, click here for more details.
Running time: 19 minutes 23 seconds |
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Backing Issues Does your horse freeze when you ask him to back up? Perhaps he raises his head to evade the command and backs awkwardly with his head too high? Does your horse back crookedly or tense up in anticipation of a back or is he simply confused by what you are asking of him? If any of these issues sound familiar, Bernie created this topic just for you. Solving backing problems brings you one step closer to improving all your downward transitions, not to mention, your horse’s mouth. Running Time: 16 minutes and 23 seconds |
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Balance in the Stirrups: The Half-Seat The Half-Seat is the cornerstone of the American Forward Riding System. In this topic Bernie reiterates just how essential it is to perfect this position. Running Time: 7 minutes and 58 seconds |
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Bernie Talks About His Greatest Influences Bernie pays tribute to some of the extraordinary instructors, riders and horsemen he has been privileged to learn from throughout his career - Vladimir Littauer, Stephan Von Vischy, Richard Wadjen, Bert DeNemethy, Johan Hinneman, Christolot Boylen, Rodney Jenkins, George Morris, Bill Steinkraus, Frank Chapot & Mike Smithwick. Running Time: 1 minute and 18 seconds |
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Bernie's Big Bag of Bits Does the sheer volume and variety of bits adorning tack shop walls today overwhelm you? Would you like to have a bit selection guideline that follows classical principals with your horse’s comfort at the forefront? If you answered yes to either of these questions, Bernie has pared down a list of his favorite go-to bits that will simplify and positively influence your bitting choices. As a clinician, Bernie travels around the country and abroad literally lugging around a bag of bits. Extra baggage fees aside, he finds that having his favorite bits at hand, ringside to be invaluable. Time and again he has come to believe that experimentation is key as long as you are listening to your horse’s sometimes subtle, sometimes obvious acceptance of and/or objection to the mouthpiece. Running Time: 6 minutes and 46 seconds |
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Bernie’s Must-Reads for the Die-Hard Equestrian Here’s a look at a handful of books that Bernie considers valuable reading for those looking to supplement their equestrian education. Running Time: 3 mintues and 58 seconds
Links to Books Discussed in this Video Note: Since some of these books are out of print, we highly suggest checking your local library. If the book isn’t found locally, the library can often times order them from other libraries/schools around the country for you. And the best part is, it's free! If you want to own a copy, we have provided some Amazon links for you, since that is a common place to buy. But you might also want to check out some used book stores for lower prices. A little research can save you some money. Training Hunters Jumpers and Hacks by Harry D. Chamberin Commonsense Horsemanship by Vladimir S. Littauer Give Your Horse a Chance by Lt. Col. A. L. d’Endrody Horse and Rider by Alois Podhajsky Hunter Seat Equitation by George Morris The Dressage Horse by Harry Boldt Progressive Dressage by Andre Jousseaume The de Nemethy Method by Bertalan de Némethy Reflections on Riding and Jumping by William Steinkraus The USPC Manual of Horsemanship 101 Jumping Exercises for Horse & Rider by Linda L. Allen Schooling and Riding the Sport Horse by Paul D. Cronin Modern Gymnastics by Jim Wofford |
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Bits and Bitting Bernie shares his personal insights on bits and bitting. His philosophy has been gained through decades of experience with thousands of horses. Running Time: 31 minutes and 6 seconds |
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