15/09/2026
Last but not least, here is Catherine Marshall’s rider bio: my path to Légèreté.
My riding career started very early, having been blessed with a horsey mum and life on a farm.
As a child I was a member of our brilliant local Pony Club, and took part in their showjumping and eventing competitions, then when I was maybe thirteen I outgrew the little black Welsh jumping pony given to me on loan and took on a beautiful Welsh D x Arab 14.2hh.
He had a history of laminitis, wasn’t allowed to jump, and this is really how I discovered dressage. His paces were very eye catching and he had been well schooled by his owners. This was a whole new world of finesse for me, and set me firmly on the dressage route.
I went to university, during which time Mum was doing a bit of breeding, so although I didn’t have a horse of my own, there was always one for me to ride. I suppose this was my first experience working with young horses, which has remained my passion ever since.
After a short spell on the wards as a nurse, I left the NHS to pursue my dream of becoming a horse trainer.
I started a business importing young horses from the Netherlands to bring on and sell, and I was competing in dressage with a beautiful chestnut called Delphi.
Looking back the dissonance started bothering me from quite early on- I would look at a graphic on a horse lorry for example, and think “how will I ever get my horse to look like that when all I am doing is curling the neck up?”
My horses were frequently lame, and showing signs of not wanting to be worked in the arena. How frustrating! I had big dreams of being a great horsewoman, but all the while my horses were subtly telling me otherwise.
I started to study natural horsemanship, which was revolationary to me at the time. Now I could connect to the horses on a different level, one which made more sense to them (and to me). How though, was I to marry these new found groundwork skills with producing magnificent works of art under saddle?
To cut a long story short, there was a lot of experimentation, but eventually I was shown a DVD of Philippe Karl, and was given his book to read.
It was as if someone had turned on the light. All of the questions swirling around in my head were answered in Philippe’s usual succinct manner in that one book.
Becky Holden was teaching in Scotland at that time. She was teaching according to what she knew of Légèreté then, and it just felt better. Philippe’s first UK instructor course began in Daventry in 2010, and being a rider on that course changed everything. Suddenly I was able to open horses up instead of closing them down all the time.
I still have a deep gratitude for everything he has offered me, my horses and my pupils.
To see me in action teaching the foundation instructor group on 24-27 September you can book tickets here: https://legerete.co.uk/index.php/product/book-a-spectator-place-foundation/
