From: IN STRIDE magazine

Margo Hepner-Hart travels to study with Gerd Politz, a dressage competitor and teacher 
from the Portland area recently returned to Oregon after studying dressage in Germany
for two months Margo Hepner-Hart, a student of U.S. Olympic dressage medalist 
Hilda Gurney, used a Carl Asmis scholarship to study with Gerd Politz, a master 
West German riding instructor. Politz holds the titles of British Horse Society 
Instructor and German Reitlehrer Fn., and has a stable 40 kilometers from Stuttgart, 
in the small village of Grafenburg. According to Hepner-Hart, her overseas stay
 was anything but a vacation. Her days would usually begin before 8:00 a.m. with 
longeing and then riding a young horse. After cooling and putting that horse away,
 she might ride an M level (third or fourth level) horse, working on flying 
changes, collection, extension and so forth. The next lesson might be 20 minutes
 on the longe, perfecting her seat and position. Hepner-Hart said day to day. 
Hepner-Hart would watch Politz teach, she's certain she left Germany 2 inches 
taller than when she arrived, just from constantly trying to lengthen her legs. 
Each morning riding session ended promptly at noon. The stable would be closed 
while everyone ate and rested. Stable activities began again at 2:30, with more 
horses to ride. Hepner-Hart said she might be told to mount one of the upper level 
horses for work on timing of tempi changes, some piaffe work or perhaps counter 
change of hand in half pass. This might be followed by work with another young 
horse, or perhaps observing the instruction of other riders. Throughout the two 
months, said the Oregonian, the temperatures were frigid, and snow was on the ground. 
Hepner-Hart remained in Germany during the holidays, by-passing the opportunity to
 spend Christmas with her family.  Nevertheless, she said, she realized she also 
had an opportunity in Germany. She called Politz an exceptional teacher, and filled 
two thick notebooks as she learned more from day to day. Politz, she said, would 
explain the reasons behind each command, rather than demanding unquestioning obedience.
 According to Hepner-Hart, her instructor (who is fluent in English), having spent 
10 years in England welcomed questions, and was most articulate in answering. When 
she wasn't riding, Hepner-Hart would watch others, or observe while he rode. Even 
from the back of a horse, she said, he would explain what he was doing and why.                                       

Margo Hepner-Hart is now back at her stable in Hillsboro, Oregon, where she rides,
teaches and trains professionally.