Kyra Kyrklund Symposium in Hungary: One of the Greatest in Dressage Shares Her Knowledge

Education

Hungary welcomed Kyra Kyrklund, one of the most respected figures in international dressage, for a special symposium held at the National Riding Hall on Saturday 12 April 2025.

Riders, trainers, judges, and enthusiasts gathered to hear insights from the Finnish-born, UK-based coach, who has competed in six Olympic Games and trained world-class equestrians across generations.

"To Move Forward, We Must Be Willing to Change"

“Riders learn so much throughout their lives and once movements become automatic, they are hard to change,” said Kyrklund. “Many are afraid to try something new, thinking what they know is already good enough. But to reach true excellence, change is necessary.”

Kyra: Everyone bakes a cake differently. I’m just here
to show you my version

Kyrklund explained that at symposia like these she shares 'a recipe'. “Everyone bakes a cake differently. I’m just here to show you my version.”

She emphasized that while countless books have been written on dressage, there’s no substitute for seeing it in action. Comparing dressage to ballet, she pointed out the importance of artistry, harmony, and ease.

“Ballet dancers train incredibly hard, yet we want their performance to look effortless. It’s the same with dressage," she said.

A Global Perspective with Horse Welfare at Its Core

As a member of the FEI’s 7-person "Dressage Strategic Action Planning Working Group", Kyrklund is actively involved in shaping the future of the sport. She voiced concerns about increasing expectations for the horses in competition:

Kyra explaining it into the finest details

“There’s increasing pressure in dressage, which puts more strain on horses. If we always demand more, eventually the horse will say, ‘I can’t do any more'," said Kyra. “When judges expect more, riders feel they must deliver more. I believe we should step back towards artistry, harmony, and true partnership with the horse.”

As a member of the Working Group, Kyrklund is helping to develop a new, long-term vision for dressage. The working group is reviewing and modernizing the discipline, developing a strategic action plan, promoting horse welfare and ethical training. It wants to adhere to the classical principles of dressage by ensuring freedom of movement, ease of transitions, and true rider-horse harmony. The goal is to create a culture where tension and resistance have no place, and the well-being of the horse is at the forefront of everyday practice and future FEI regulations.

The Vision of the Hungarian Dressage Federation

Anikó Komjáthy-Losonczy, head of the Hungarian Dressage Division, shared her hopes about the symposium and Kyrklund’s potential future role.

“We invited Kyra to show what has made her so successful, to inspire our younger riders, and to enrich our own knowledge," said Aniko.

While this was a one-time event, she expressed hope for future collaboration:

“Our dream is to bring her on as national coach. With her experience, she could help us reach our dream – competing at the next Olympic Games.”

Looking ahead, Komjáthy-Losonczy highlighted Hungary’s goal of qualifying at the 2025 World Championships in Aachen, and preparing for Olympic participation. She also mentioned the upcoming international competition in Máriakálnok (May 15–18), which has already attracted multiple Olympians.

High Attendance

The symposium drew over 300 participants, including riders, judges, trainers, and foreign guests from USA, Cyprus, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, the U.K., Sweden, Romania, and Austria. It was officially recognized as continuing education for both coaches and judges.

Nine riders rode in the clinic, including Olympic eventing rider Balázs Kaizinger, Hungarian Grand Prix team riders Anikó Komjáthy-Losonczy and Nikolett Szalai, international youth riders Borbála Czérna, Zita Plutzer, Zoya Ledecka, and Dorka Panka Makk, as well as senior professionals Pavlina Révész and Viktória Nébel.

Kyra Kyrklund – A Living Legend

Kyra and the Hungarian dressage committee

Kyra Kyrklund was the first equestrian inducted into Finland’s Sports Hall of Fame. Her partnership with the stallion Matador led to silver at the 1990 World Equestrian Games and victory at the 1991 Dressage World Cup Final. She also finished 5th at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Between 1980 and 2008 she competed in six Olympics, multiple World and European Championships, and coached elite riders worldwide. She is known for her clear, foundational approach to teaching, emphasizing ethical training, freedom of movement, and a sensitive partnership with the horse. She has worked with Catherine Dufour, Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, Jan Brink, Heike Holstein, and many more.

Earlier in her career, she and her husband, Richard White, trained ten horses that competed at the 2006 World Equestrian Games.