I am a firm believer in the concept of leadership by example. We are what we eat, drink, read, listen to, watch, and do! So we each set several examples everyday for those around us in the various roles we play as citizens, parents, spouses, children, students, neighbors, employees or employers ex. Some of our examples are very good, some poor, and some misunderstood.
I want to share one that I think was 99% very good and 1% misunderstood. Mr Bertalan de Nemethy! The coach of the United States Show Jumping Team for Twenty Five years, a calvalry officer from Hungary who brought an Italian style of riding that he modified into the American jumping style and changed the sport for ever.Here is one link of many were you can learn more about him.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertalan_de_N%C3%A9methy
I got to know him at WDEI he was on the advisory counsel and gave regular clinics. A wish to tell you about two of these one I videoed for the school and the other I came back after I graduated and rode in.
The first story is when he decided to film his de Nemethy Method videos at the school which went along with his book. A handful of the riders from the school including my roommate the now famous Ricardo Villa, on WDEI horses were used for the videos along with a few of his students from the outside on their horses. I was given the job of videoing the process for the school and helping Burt with anything he needed. It was an honor for me to do these important tasks.
I was in awe with how easy Bert made everything seem, from explaining theory, to putting that theory into practice! Everyone rode better than I had ever seen them. He was patient, clear, and concise at all times. He stressed being good to the horses from the care in the barn, to planing their training and competition schedule to their best advantage always.His ethical standards for how horses were to be handled was beyond reproach. Just being around him you wanted to raise your standards in every way from how you and your horse were presented , to details like raking the footing in front of and behind the jumps between every trip so they could be adjusted perfectly to achieve the desired result. He was obvious he put an incredible amount of thought and effort into everything. I enjoyed our numerous conversations on a variety of topics immensely! Some tidbits he shared-he was against using gadgets when it came to tack and quick fixes. He also spoke out against training that involved being in cruel to the horse to make it careful at the jumps, instead his focus was on improving the horse physically and mentally through a gymnastic system. That combined good basic Dressage(he refereed to as correct training for all horses regardless of discipline) and gymnastic jumping exercises .He also believed horse should be ridden out and properly conditioned. He thought all riders should understand all facets of riding including but not limited to horse bio-mechanics, proper care of the horses in every way, and equitation. He felt so strongly about them being fit , having good seats and independent aids that he was known to rent horses locally at major competitions so he could lounge the riders in the morning to relax them and get the prepared physically and mentally for the big events they were to compete in that day, even a World Championship or Olympic competition!
I was fortunate to be able to come back and experience riding with him after graduation. I had a good clinic. Even though at on point we were working over a line oxer four strides to an oxer ( an oxer is a jump that has two elements and is wide) and he kept raising and widening them especaily the second. He got to a point were Tad looked at me and shook his head and wispered say no thank you.( he new I had only had this inexperienced jumping horse for a shoat time and with his best intentions wanted to preserve our confidence.) I decided to trust Burt and go on, but I was nervous sicne Tad had expressed his reservations and rode too conservatively (close and slow) to the first fence. My horse jumped it ok, but I knew I would be long at the second which at this point was arour 4 feet high and 6 feet wide! So I put my legs on and gave one quick tap with my spur ,. When we got to the second fence I let myself get left kept my legs firmly on and let my reigns slide. My horse cleared the fence and Burt said looking at Tad see he even rode it poorly and the horse was still able to do it!
That was my only big mistake that weekend. I had an experience of a lifetime. We had lunch together it was fantastic a man of his stature and position was so kind and took time out for me.
I said 1% misunderstood, because while he was against gadgets he did use draw reigns for longing sometimes and riding sometimes, but not often. He was very specific on how they were to be used and when and said they were not to be used on all horses or for long periods. He also said they were like razor blades in a monkeys hands when many riders used them who shouldn't!
He was in many pictures in his book with them on loosely as a precaution, because he was 88 riding outside in an open grass field, with photographers ex. I think this gave people the impression that he advocated there use far more than he did!
For me Bertalan de Nemethy was a perfect gentleman and horseman and a perfect example for all showjumping enthusiasts to fallow.
On a side note my parents named me after my mothers father with my fathers last name John Thomas Carruthers Montfort. When I met Bert he asked me if my family name used to be de Montfort. I asked my family and my grandfather James Brown Montfort Sr who served as the manager of our National Press Club for Twenty Five years ( a topic for a future post) had looked at the library of Congress and said to my parents he thought it was several generations beck. So at Mr de Nemethy's urging saying " you should be proud of your European heritage" I started to use it and gave it to my three Children Emma Grace, Joshua, and Grant.
I hope I can be a better role model for them and everyone in the years to come.I think we can apply this to all the roles we play in life and if we do our society on the whole will benefit enormously!!!
I hope by sharing this I have helped you in some small way.
Sincerely,
John
* * I do offer Jumping and/or Dressage clinics in this style combined with what my other great teachers have taught me and fallowing a very similar format. Interested parties should contact me contact me via e mail demontfortjohn@yahoo.com
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