ROXBURY – Colonel Christian Carde of the National Equestrian School at Cadre Noir in Saumur, France, will visit the home of Darryl Ann and David Ifkovic – Max Gate in Roxbury – to instruct Thursday, June 5, through Saturday, June 7.

Max Gate is the home of Ifkovic’s Lycee du Cheval equestrian school, which she began after receiving her certificate from the National Equestrian School in 1998. It was there she worked with Col. Carde, director of the school, who is known for his lightness in dressage.

Col. Carde, of Chaintre, France, retired from the fame Black Horse Troop of France’s National Riding School in 1999 after an illustrious international competitive career that included representing France in the Moscow Olympics. He was Champion of France in 1979 and continued as the National Dressage Trainer from 1985 to 1999.

In 20 years as a rider in the Cadre Noir, Col. Carde showcased the lightness of the French school in their public performances and in international competition. The first 15 years of his riding career, he rode in stadium jumping, combined events and military competitions. He continues today with thrice-yearly clinics in India and Canada for dressage and event riders.

Col. Carde is an international dressage and Connecticut judge and founder of IDEAL, the International Dressage and Equitation Association for Lightness. Col. Carde’s standards for lightness can be found in the January 2002 edition of USDF Connections.