United States Eventing Association

Young Horse Training Techniques From a German Perspective with Ashley Kehoe

Ashley Kehoe has ridden through the CCI3* level, and now has taken on a new adventure training with top young horse selector and producer Philipp Kolossa in Germany. This the second installment of a two-part series on the German young even horse program. Click here for part 1.

Learning under one of the most respected producer of young horses, Kehoe has gained valuable insight and techniques that have been proven to create some of the world’s top event horses. “There are no tricks for producing a young horse faster. A solid foundation, where the horse hasn't been rushed or over-faced is key to producing successful upper level horses,” explains Kehoe. Kolossa maintains a fluid and flexible training program as to not overwhelm his young horses. Kehoe describes, “It’s okay if the horse has a few days off and gets a break after really hard work. If Philipp feels the horse is getting a little mentally stressed or if we've added something new or more difficult to their program, then we'll give them a couple days off, lunge them a day, and continue. This gives their brain and body some time to absorb all the training."

Kolossa utilizes many tools in everyday training with his young horses including lunging and cavalleti work. Kehoe elaborates that he uses cavalleti exercises to acclimate the young horses to the idea of jumping. “The 4-year-olds are doing a lot of cavelleti work and [then] begin to do small courses in the ring and in the field.” When the horses are confidently going over small courses in the arena, they are quick to also introduce the horses to cross-country fences. “We want to see if they’re going to be brave enough, and if they have the mentality to take the rider to the other side.” Kehoe explains. “No one wants to buy a fancy youngster that turns out to be afraid of cross-country."

In Germany, the show season only lasts from April through the first week in October. There is no such thing as wintering in a warmer region to continue competing, which Kehoe has seen benefit from. “In Germany, they spend the winter working on the flatwork and getting the horses stronger and giving [them] the down time that they need to mature physically and mentally. There are a lot of indoor show jumping shows here, but the weather is unavoidable. All of the best have to deal with winter, even Michael Jung,” Kehoe says.

Another adjustment Kehoe managed were her bitting choices. In Germany, riders competing at the German Novice level, which is comparable to the U.S. Preliminary level, and below are restricted from using bit combinations with excess leverage. “For cross-country, you may use either a snaffle or a pelham, nothing else,” Kehoe explains. She believes this can be a great benefit in the training program for the young horses, and can often ensure riders are instilling proper basics even if that means taking it slow. “You can mask a lot if you put a harsh bit in a horse’s mouth if the training isn’t there. If you have a horse that’s not willing to collect itself with its hind end but you put a harsh bit in their mouth, the horse may shorten its stride, but it isn't getting any stronger in the right muscles. It takes a lot of time to produce a confident, educated horse." Kehoe says. “Philipp has helped me learn that the problem is sometimes the top horses take much longer to develop.”

One of the most valuable insights Kehoe gained from her time in Germany is learning that many horses with CCI4* potential possess inherent qualities that can’t be trained. She says Kolossa claims many of these characteristics include “an active hind end, a big gallop and power across all four gaits.” Kehoe continued, “Four-star horses are brave, athletic, can gallop for miles and have the ability to jump out of stride.” She also adds that these qualities, although impressive, can make training difficult. “The downside to these qualities, is that it takes much longer to produce these types of horses. A 4-year-old with four-star potential is going to be extremely hard to ride because their stride is usually massive,” Kehoe concludes.