Dressage Masters

Dressage Masters takes the reader into four of the greatest training stables in Europe. The master instructors express their philosophies and practices with regard to training horses and riders, and the state of dressage in the United States and elsewhere in the world. They also share fascinating and enlightening stories about their own education, and the triumphs and hurdles encountered along their paths to success. The trainers are: • Klaus Balkenhol: Olympic Individual Bronze and two-time gold Team medal winner; coached the German Olympic gold medal team including the individual silver and bronze medalists and the USA Olympic bronze medal team. •Ernst Hoyos: trained Ulla Salzgeber, winner of two Olympic Team gold medals, and Lisa Wilcox, member of the United States Equestrian Team bronze medal squad. •Dr. Uwe Schulten-Baumer: trained Nicole Uphoff and Isabel Werth, Olympic equestrian record holders of four gold medals; Dr Schulten-Baumer Jr., winner of team gold medal in the 1980 Alternate Olympics and 1978 World Championships •George Theodorescu: trainer of many top international teams and riders, including his daughter Monica, three-time Olympic Team gold medalist Each chapter includes insightful descriptions and sequence photographs of exercises and other teaching techniques, and the book concludes with a detailed index that cross-references training problems as a handy guide for the reader-rider's own program. Already eagerly anticipated by the international dressage community, Dressage Masters is destined to become an instant classic in the literature of classical horsemanship.

With stunningly beautiful photographs and clear descriptions, classical dressage authority Anja Beran breaks down the physical requirements of the rider's seat on the horse, as well as its responsibilities during various movements—from the gaits and paces to lateral work, lead changes, piaffe, passage, and pirouettes. Beran provides a unique perspective on the use of breath when riding, citing the recommendations of a classically-trained opera singer who regularly works with Beran and her riding students to develop their deep breathing skills. “A relaxed seat,” Beran says, “is never possible with restricted breathing.” In addition, she explores the need for an improved inner attitude in order to truly refine your seat on a horse. Fear, stress, and tension all interfere with your ability to focus on the horse and connect with him during the time you are together. Simple practices can help open and calm the mind, and over time, contribute to an overall better outlook and enhanced physical capacity. In the second half of the book, Beran is joined by her personal physiotherapist and dance teacher for an in-depth look at human anatomy and how it functions in conjunction with the horse. Practical exercises give readers easy ways to improve mobility, strength, stability, coordination, perception, and overall posture, with superb results.

This book explores the enormous value of the trot in schooling and suppling the horse, and explains how the natural trot of a recently backed horse is developed into the working gait, which will later form the basis for collection and extension. Trot is the gait at which much of a horse's general schooling is carried out. It is most suited to this purpose since it is more impulsive than walk and less complex than canter. As a consequence of its diagonal nature, all four legs perform an equal amount of work, and the back muscles flex and extend alternately on each side of the spine, producing an overall suppling effect. If the trot is to fulfil its role as the training gait, it must be of good quality, and should improve and develop as training progresses. Of course, this improvement and development may go far beyond the bounds of the working trot, to spectacular extensions and the ultimate levels of collection, as seen in piaffe and passage, however, in this treatise the emphasis is fundamentally upon the development of the working trot and its role as the foundation of training. Masters of Equitation on Trot is essential reading for all riders who wish to lay the correct foundations for their horses' schooling, and will fascinate all readers interested in equestrian history.

The equestrian pursuit known as Cowboy Dressage melds the best of Western riding traditions and classical dressage in the pursuit of a harmonious relationship with a horse. Intended to be accessible to all, Cowboy Dressage is open to all breeds and all levels of riders; there isn’t a set frame for overall look, head carriage, or action. Lifelong horsewoman Jessica Black traces the evolution of Cowboy Dressage back to its roots, sharing the story of Eitan and Debbie Beth-Halachmy and their phenomenal Morgan horses that have served as the movement’s ambassadors. Black then expertly weaves Eitan Beth-Halachmy's experience and expertise into an engaging and articulate explanation of the philosophy of Cowboy Dressage; defines the expectations of the rider; describes what a participant needs in terms of equipment; and explores how the most important element—the horse—should be prepared. A wonderful and thorough section on groundwork, as well as specific training advice for achieving engagement, regulating the gaits, smoothing transitions, and balancing bend and straightness, get the reader started with a solid foundation. Specific descriptions of the Cowboy Dressage tests are provided, with additional tools for those interested in competition, including rules, divisions, and how to execute and judge tests.

Maybe the best way to introduce this book to our audience is to quote Max Gahwyler when he read the book when it was in manuscript form: "You must publish this. It is superb!" We agree this is, truly, one of, if not the clearest, most readable books on training dressage ever written. It's just delightful! As Egon von Neindorf, a recognized master himself, says in the Foreword, "If you are not fortunate enough to be taught by Walter Zettl personally, he gives you in this book a very valuable guide to the art of classical riding. In clearly worked out and easy to understand chapters, he takes you through each step of the training stages, discusses problems that occur, and assists with competent, sensible corrections, from Beginner to becoming a Master. With Walter Zettl's guidance, it is made possible."

In the 1970s, the sport of dressage was still in its infancy in the United States. Unlike the countries of Europe, there was neither an established tradition nor a written history to educate and inspire. A rider intent on learning the discipline had to be prepared to travel, to immerse himself in other cultures, and to care only for what those who had already mastered the art might teach him. Paul Belasik was this rider, intent on learning all he could about dressage methodology, and willing and able to compare and contrast the various means for achieving related goals: beautiful movement, “lightness,” connection between two beings. In these pages he shares a lifetime of searching and studying, both through stories of his own adventures and thoughtful essays on the subjects he has pondered during the years he has trained and ridden horses. Beginning in northern New York, and traveling to Portugal, and later, Vienna, Belasik serves as a tour guide of the various dressage “paths” he had the chance to explore, including the German system, the Portuguese art of equitation, and the revered institutions of the Spanish Riding School. Armed with the knowledge and experience he accrued over time, Belasik debates whether classical dressage and competition dressage are at all compatible. Then, he considers the role of mindfulness, how to become a good teacher, and how to be a good student in today's horse world, providing the guideposts needed to take dressage–and riding, in general–the next step forward.

Showing how to maximize performance in horses, The Athletic Horse: Principles and Practice of Equine Sports Medicine, 2nd Edition describes sports training regimens and how to reduce musculoskeletal injuries. Practical coverage addresses the anatomical and physiological basis of equine exercise and performance, centering on evaluation, imaging, pharmacology, and training recommendations for sports such as racing and show jumping. Now in full color, this edition includes new rehabilitation techniques, the latest imaging techniques, and the best methods for equine transportation. Written by expert educators Dr. David Hodgson, Dr. Catherine McGowan, and Dr. Kenneth McKeever, with a panel of highly qualified contributing authors. Expert international contributors provide cutting-edge equine information from the top countries in performance-horse research: the U.S., Australia, U.K., South Africa, and Canada. The latest nutritional guidelines maximize the performance of the equine athlete. Extensive reference lists at the end of each chapter provide up-to-date resources for further research and study. NEW full-color photographs depict external clinical signs, allowing more accurate clinical recognition. NEW and improved imaging techniques maximize your ability to assess equine performance. UPDATED drug information is presented as it applies to treatment and to new regulations for drug use in the equine athlete. NEW advances in methods of transporting equine athletes ensure that the amount of stress on the athlete is kept to a minimum. NEW rehabilitation techniques help to prepare the equine athlete for a return to the job. Two NEW authors, Dr. Catherine McGowan and Dr. Kenneth McKeever, are highly recognized experts in the field.

Spanning the wide world of sports, this volume is packed with every conceivable fact that anyone would possibly want to know about nearly 300 sports, including history and practice worldwide.