Training with Frédéric Pignon and Magali Delgado

By: Paulette Evans - Ribbleton Warmbloods

(photo: © Gabriele Boiselle)

Frédéric Pignon and Magali Delgado were both born to horse-loving parents in the south of France. They both independently developed quite profound ideas about working with horses and when they married in 2003 it was as if they had been made for one another. Horses became their passion and their family. 

An extraordinary Lusitano stallion, Templado, entered their lives and showed them that they had not only much to learn about horses but much to “unlearn.” The only way to tame this uncompromising but beautiful and talented horse was to go along with his wishes. This “reversal of roles” is now the key to their approach, the success of which has been illustrated by Frédéric’s ability to perform in front of huge audiences with free stallions, and by Magali, who, with her horse Dao, has reached the summit of European dressage competition. Frédéric and Magali went on to become the founders of Cavalia which they toured with across the United States and European capitals from 2004 to 2009 playing to more than two million spectators. 

You can see numerous video's of this amazing horse training duo on the internet. I am always captivated by the beauty and freedom that the horses display when working at liberty with Frédéric. I believe that Frédéric is one of the few people in the world that is performing true liberty. The definition of liberty is freedom of choice. The freedom and fun that horses feel with Frédéric is astonishing to observe. The horses have a strong desire to be with Frédéric and yet they have the freedom of the mind to be able to leave, gallop, buck and feel good in their bodies before returning to Frédéric. If this is not amazing enough, the fact that Frédéric does this with his horses in front of crowds of thousands is simply breathtaking.

Magali's approach to riding is equally beautiful. She is passionate about finding harmony with the horse and she does this partly by her focus on relaxation of the horses mind and body. Her horses are not driven or pushed through tension, more than often the horses are slowed down to allow them to relax and let go of the tension. The result is very happy, calm horses that are willing to give so much more. People often remark to Magali that it’s unusual to work a dressage horse in high school movements like piaffe and passage without a bit in its mouth. But to Magali, it’s natural and easy – no tricks. If the horse has had clear, progressive learning, and is not frightened or confused, and it trusts her, then there is actually no need for tack or equipment to enable the horse to perform these movements.

I feel a very strong connection to this way of training and having worked with Frédéric and Magali for a few years I am pleased to be able to offer a small group of people the opportunity to share in this vast knowledge with a week long training tour to a town called Monteaux in the south of France from 7th to 14th April 2014. 

When you arrive at the Delgado Farm in Monteaux, Provence it feels like you have entered another world. There is a wonderful sense of excitement in your small group and you can feel that you are about to experience something quite magical. The farm is situated on a hill overlooking the stables that are full of Lusitano and Spanish stallions and then down to a beautiful valley where the Delgado mares can be seen grazing with their youngsters. The old stone home rises up around you on three sides. It is decorated with the love of the family with each adornment having it's own significance. There are large paintings of horses on the outside walls. The artist is actually Frédéric Pignon. It appears that this family is not only gifted in horse training but also in the arts! These enchanting paintings are of the horses that have had a profound effect on their lives and their education in the equine world. The outdoor areas are bought together by the two story high main home built more than 200 years ago with several gîtes (furnished apartments) for the guests to stay in that are also decorated in this provincial "equine" style. Each gîte is named after one of their beloved stallions and is made complete with their portrait in a painting created by Frédéric. You can't help but feel a special connection to that stallion when you enter their gîte and a desire to learn more about them. 

The family greet you with such warmth that you already feel like friends. Their generosity and care for your well being seems limitless. The food on this trip is a new and delightful experience. Joelle Delgado and daughter Estelle Delgado have a love of food and cooking. They share their family delicacies with you, with several courses for each meal that are all cooked to perfection. Each bite is a new affair and even though you will feel like you haven't stopped eating for the whole week, I am sure you will eagerly await the next meal for the bliss of another new taste sensation. Of course, accompanying each course there is a special local wine, french liquor or perhaps a mix to indulge in!

During the week you will be introduced to this wonderful part of Provence. Just about every village in Provence boasts its own workshops and boutiques dedicated to the local specialty. While you'll be taking in all the classic craft towns, you will also be sampling a quintessential slice of Provence, as the two-lane rural back roads wind past olive groves, cherry orchards, vineyards, and the stony medieval hilltop towns. There is a rawness to this part of France that is represented in the farms, the people and the food. In Australia we seem to always be searching to eat food that is "organic". Here organic is watching a local man ride his rickety bicycle down the gravel road to the farm with his hens eggs in his basket. Here it is a way of life.

Each day of the week has been planned so that the learning unfolds like a story book. As the week progresses we will uncover your strengths and desires and work together to create an experience that will give you great insight into how to develop yourself in a way that works with and for your horse. This very personal and positive learning approach makes for a truly inspirational experience for people of all levels of knowledge and confidence. Frédéric and Magali's style with people is similar to that with their horses. They make sure that there are no barriers to learning.

Our students have described Frédéric and Magali as both "exceptionally skilled at imparting their profound knowledge on the many facets of horse behaviour both at liberty, high level dressage and the ground work in between. Frederic and Magali’s method of teaching is based on kindness, calmness and sheer enjoyment. Working with them is a lot of fun and very rewarding. The teaching took place in a completely casual and relaxed environment. Frederic and Magali taught us so much and yet were so humble and so wonderful to work with." Another student remarks "Training and riding with Frederic and Magali in France was, for me, like finding the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle you thought you'd never find. Having trained with Ribbleton before the trip I thought that the ideology was what I was seeking to follow but getting to actually be in the presence of such joyful and harmonious humans and horses was confirmation - and truly inspiring! I came home with an incredible sense of happiness that I'd struggled to find in my horsemanship before and a feeling that this path is simply the right one for how I want to be with my horses."

Join us for an intimate experience of a lifetime! Email Paulette from Ribbleton at ribbleton@ribbletonwarmbloods.com.au or read more about this trip at www.ribbletonwarmbloods.com.au