Dressage demonstration and picnic at the stables (mid 1980’s)

The members of the “French Society of Michigan” were treated to a most rare event on a summer Sunday afternoon at a stable in Ada, MI, featuring a dressage demonstration by world-renowned riding instructor Jean-Claude Racinet who had recently arrived in Grand Rapids.  Jean-Claude, and his wife Susan, had recently become members of the French Society and he graciously accepted the invitation to share the technique of dressage, or “riding in lightness” as he would later describe it in one of the several publications he wrote on the subject.  

The stable where he kept his horses was the site of the demonstration, which was followed by a ”Déjeuner champêtre”– a picnic with cold chicken as the main dish, cheeses and baguette, and pastries for dessert.  I escorted Edith Blodgett, who had helped to prepare the picnic, to the stables.

Information on Jean-Racinet’s illustrious career, and some of his publications, are featured here. A Renaissance man, he also had a novel “Bonjour, je suis votre chef de bloc” published in France and Germany on the specter of reemerging totalitarianism. I had the good fortune to work with him on a translation of chapters to English to be submitted to an American publisher.

Jean-Claude was passionate about horses and riding.  'Riding in Lightness' was his brand, mantra, and trademark if you will. This was his life blood that would keep him from soundly sleeping at night he would tell me. He was a genius both on and off horseback.  Want to know about history or politics?  He could clue you in.  The NY Times crossword puzzle was his specialty, as well as the manipulation of a horse's spine to relieve subluxations.  Jean-Claude through thousands of hours of studying and conversations with a prominent French vet-osteopath – had it figured out.

--Leslie Mathews

We are in the process of assembling memories of past AFdeGR events. If you have an anecdote to share we would love to hear from you!