The airs of the school
Appeared under the Italian Renaissance, the raised airs served for decorating the choreographies of carousels. They allowed to prove the value and the solidity of the riders in saddle and represented the outcome of the training of the horse. We can imagine the military origin of the Airs above the Ground. The aim was essentially to obtain from the war horse a perfect submission and a very big handiness, preparing the riders of the hard shocks of the fight and were of use to officer to parade on the forehead of the troops, the Airs above the Ground were not used in the fight, although the temptation was big.
To convince itself, it is enough to practice them. When we know the preparation and the precision that they ask, it is difficult to imagine to execute them within the frame of a confrontation where speed and quickness of reaction are vital.
The Airs above the Ground practiced in Saumur are the Courbette, the Croupade and the Capriole. Only the Capriole, "the highest and the most perfect of all the airs" preserved his classic style. In Saumur, the Airs above the Ground are practiced without stirrups.