Hello, I’m Jenny, the founder of Naturally Classical

I have always loved the company of horses. From as early as five years old I would spend many happy hours sitting amongst the ponies, in the New Forest, quietly observing them and the nature around me. I began to see how we are all connected on an energetic level. I learned to ‘see’ and ‘listen’ and to communicate with the horses without words. Our communication was built on trust.

As I grew up I became more serious about dressage training but I started to feel disconnected from the joy and fun I felt as a child amongst the ponies I loved.  

Inspired by the classical teaching in Lisbon, I travelled with my stallions Delfin and Maestu to work with the Chief instructor of the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, Antonio Borba Monteiro and Classical Maestre Luis Valenca Rodrigues.   

It was there that I witnessed the spirit of dance as I began to learn the significance of each exercise. It wasn’t about progressing through dressage levels of competition. It was about helping each individual horse to become more athletic, balanced, supple and joyous within their movements.

My Spanish stallion Delfin taught me so much. I had bought him when he was seven years old. Previously he was a bullring horse. He held so much trauma and I soon realised my conventional aids were triggering him and fueling his tension. I can only imagine what his life had been like before.

Delfin was tied up in a stall  24/7 and only brought out to work on a sandpit with the bull tied up outside. The bull ring is a place of fear for the horse – many are injured by the charging bull fighting for his life. At home, with me, in the UK Delfin would become anxious before passing the gate in the school which brought back memories of the bull charging into the picadero when the gate was opened.

It took years to build our relationship of trust, but this connection was to become almost telepathic between us.

It changed dramatically one day when he totally ignored my aids, his head and tail were air born, and his mind too, as mares were galloping around in a nearby field!

As I sighed deeply – totally frustrated – Delfin took a deep exhale. I gave a deep breath out and he walked forwards. I was blown away by his response and after a couple of minutes, I dismounted.

He was listening at last.

My lovely friend Kristine Nason, a leading equestrian artist was inspired to paint two portraits of Delfin as she watched him dancing. She felt so emotional, which inspired two beautiful works of art, entitled Eternal and Forever (pictured here).

Delfin will always be in my heart and it is truly wonderful to have these portraits with me at home, bringing back the emotions and reminding me of the music he loved by Era.