Uta Graf’s Effortless Dressage Program: Lightness, Harmony, and Success Through Play, Groundwork, Trail Riding, and Turnout

At last the dressage world has a sensible means of reconciling classical idealism with show-ring aspirations Uta Gr f has made a name for herself as a trailblazer in the international dressage scene, advocating for a method of combining the highest levels of performance with natural horse care and conscientious training. The system she uses has proven to turn talented prospects into happy athletes, while transforming "not-so-perfect" dressage horses into willing and able partners.

In these pages, Gr f shares her schooling exercises, as well as the techniques she uses to incorporate groundwork, long-lining, trail riding, creative play, bombproofing, and turnout in her training program. The result is dressage that makes reaching your riding goals look and seem easy--even effortless--while ensuring a healthy, contented horse.

Uta Gräf twice won the coveted Stensbeck Award from the German National Federation for showing great promise as a rider, teacher, and trainer, completing her early training with renowned Dutch Olympic medalist Ellen Bontje and German coach Conrad Schumacher. She and her partner Stefan Schneider then established their training facility Gut Rothenkircherhof in Kirchheimbolanden, Germany, in 1999 and have trained horses from youngsters to Grand Prix ever since.

In 2004, Gräf competed at the German Championships and won the bronze medal behind well-known German team riders Hubertus Schmidt and Rudolf Zeilinger. For several years she has coached the German Paralympic Dressage Team, including Paralympic champion Britta Näpel and World Champion Dr. Angelika Trabert. Gräf’s Holsteiner stallion, Le Noir, propelled her into the limelight with tremendous success at Grand Prix and high scores at the most prestigious international dressage competitions, including Wiesbaden and Aachen. With her cheerful nature and wild hair, Gräf’s signature at competitions, clinics, and demonstrations is her beautifully ridden, content, and satisfied horses, gaining respect worldwide. The dressage scene--often perceived as strict and very serious--seems to find her, and her horses, refreshingly different!