Go to Eitan Beth – Halachmy’s popular website “Cowboy Dressage” and the catchy phrase “When Dressage suits your needs but a Stetson fits your lifestyle” greets you. The expression explains the growing discipline of Western Dressage and the style of riding Eitan has done all his life – the combination of traditional western riding and classical horsemanship. Equine VIP met with Eitan at the Equine Affair
to learn more:
I understand you discovered horses at a very young age?
I believe that most of us are “born” with a special instinct for horses – so it’s not really something I discovered, rather I was born with it! It’s been a part of my life, almost like an addiction that I can’t let go. I tried other jobs in my youth, but I was always drawn back to horses. For me, riding is a creative partnership and not a
profession.
Can you tell us about the time you spent observing at the Spanish Riding School?
I lived in Vienna and was attending veterinarian school. I got a job at the school as a janitor and cleaned stalls. I listened to every
teacher giving a lecture while I cleaned black boards. The teacher wrote, the janitor cleaned. Pretty soon I could correct some of the teachers because I listened to so many lectures! I was really proud to be a janitor because I was able to watch and observe everything at the school. It was a privilege to be a part of the school and have the opportunity to be inspired by what I learned.
I had the pleasure of watching your clinic at the Horse Expo –you talked about the partnership between the horse and rider.
Partnership is a very important word to me. Partnership is between two – and in this case – between the rider and horse. Ideally in a partnership, you meet in the middle, with each side giving 50%. Sometimes I give 51% and my horse gives 49% or vice versa. There is a time in a horse’s life where it is not about “him” – it is about “us”. As a team, we accomplish our goals.
Your love of the American Cowboy brought you to America – here you found a way of combining your early classical training with western
riding. Tells us more about “Cowboy Dressage”?
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love cowboys! Like cowboys, I’m
involved with horses because I love them. Riding a special horse is like painting on a canvas, with performing and showing making the picture even bigger. My wife and I tried to find a word to describe the type of riding I like to do and “Cowboy Dressage” meant the blend of freedom and discipline to me. I’ve been riding and combining
these two disciplines since I was five years old, but didn’t quite know how to define it.
I understand it was your wife’s Morgan stallion that was your early
partner in Cowboy Dressage. What kind of horses work best for Western
Dressage?
I think any breed can enjoy this discipline, especially if it comes from the heart. You can feel if he enjoys this type of work and wants to become your partner.
You have won many World and National Titles in the Morgan Show Horse Industry. Tell us what is it about this particular breed that you
enjoy so much?
I started riding Arabians – and thought they were the best horse in the world. Then, I rode Quarter horses and thought they were the best
horse in the world. I really enjoy riding them all! Now, I’m riding a Morgan horse. A Morgan horse will offer you more than you want, and are a challenge. They never quit and always have something to say.
Are more people discovering the sport of Western Dressage?
Yes! It’s an exciting time for the sport. A western horse can become a better horse and a western rider can become a better rider. I think
Western Dressage borrows lots of “good” training techniques from Dressage. To learn more about it www.westerndressageassociation.org
Tell us where readers can learn more about your upcoming clinics?
Check out our website www.cowboydressage.com for more information about my clinics and our School of Horsemanship
