Blue Ridge Farm to host clinic, riding sessions next week

LANDRUM — A bit old- world tradition, merged with classical horsemanship, is coming to Landrum.

Team Tate Dressage is hosting a clinic with author, dressage judge and clinician Charles de Kunffy at Blue Ridge Farm in Landrum Aug. 3-5. 

The expert grew up in Hungary during World War II and the Hungarian Revolution. He trained with instructors from some of the premiere classical riding schools in Europe.

In addition to being a U.S. Equestrian Federation “S” dressage judge and a U.S. Dressage Federation Hall of Fame Inductee, de Kunffy is the author of six books, including “A Rider’s Survival from Tyranny,” “Training Strategies for Dressage Riders,” “Dressage Principals Illuminated,” and more.

“He’s a fun personality,” said Team Tate Dressage Event and Sponsor Coordinator Catherine Respess. “[He] is an engaging and soulful person.”

Respess described de Kunffy as always putting the horse first.

“He always says, ‘the horse is always right,’” she said. “His clinics are about lightness and finding that ease in the work. It’s about never fighting with the horse.”

The clinic was fully booked for riders the first day it was announced, but there is plenty of room for auditors.

Riding will begin at 9:30 a.m. and continues until 3:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 3 and 4, and from 7:30 a.m. until noon on Sunday, Aug. 5.

At 4 p.m. on Saturday, de Kunffy will offer a free lecture and book signing, which will be open to the public.

Respess said this is a rare opportunity for local horsemen and women to learn from a master of the sort of old-school classical riding that is being lost in today’s equestrian world of specialization.

JJ Tate, of Team Tate Dressage, will hosting the clinic at Blue Ridge Farm in Landrum. Tate is a top Fédération Equestre Internationale and grand prix rider, and has studied with de Kunffy for years.

To register as an auditor, people may click the “register and learn” button at team-tatedressage.com or text 262-325-0099.

Blue Ridge Farm is located at 226B Pleasant Hill Road, Landrum.