A fantastically detailed and uniquely organized dressage reference for the rider. Discover the what, the how, and–most importantly–the why of more than 100 dressage movements. Color photographs of riders of various levels and on different breeds of horse show how each movement should look when ridden correctly. Each movement is clearly defined. Explanations include common mistakes and how to avoid them. Readers find out the benefits of each exercise and how it contributes to the “bigger picture” of the dressage training scale. “This book appealed to me,” says gold-medal-winning Olympian Isabell Werth. “Especially important is the emphasis on the meaning of the individual dressage movements within the overall context of a horse’s training. Only the rider who understands why the movements are important and what their purposes are can build a dressage horse systematically. This applies to both the development of the horse's muscles and the development of his mind.” Throughout, emphasis is placed on the horse as an individual and how it is the rider's responsibility to learn to customize movements and lessons to benefit any horse, with his particular physical and psychological characteristics in mind. Practical and easy-to-follow, this valuable resource provides explanations in seconds that will last a lifetime of rides.
Over the course of her riding and horse training career, Kathrin Roida has progressively gained a deep appreciation for the benefits of gymnastic exercises, particularly those that can be taught to the horse from the ground. "In-hand" training has long been used to help develop the dressage horse, conditioning and suppling his body while at the same time preparing his mind to grasp the movements that may eventually be expected. Roida relies on these techniques when working with young horses, which she prepares for under-saddle training with exercises first learned on the ground, improving balance and enhancing confidence by refining the horse's sense of his body and where it is in space. Roida also uses in-hand techniques to vary the training of the fully schooled riding horse and to solve problems that may be more safely dealt with from the ground. In this book she details her methods, sharing the stories of a number of horses of different ages, breeds, and training backgrounds, and demonstrating the steps to teaching them: shoulder-in, travers, renvers, pirouettes, half-pass, piaffe, passage, canter work, the Spanish walk, and much more. Throughout her conscientious attention to what is best for the horse ensures that not only do the lessons result in a horse that is healthy in body but also one that is healthy in mind and happy in his work.
Training Strategies for Dressage Riders is a unique guide to the art and technique of dressage, written by one of the most renowned equestrian trainers in the world today. It offers a complete training system for both horse and rider, paying special attention to how a rider s actions can influence a mount. The book provides practical, in-the-saddle advice on a wide range of dressage topics, including: * The art of classical equitation * The development of the rider s seat and aids * Developing the basic gaits * Gymnastic improvement * Horse insubordination * Clinics and competitions judging Whether you want to prepare for dressage competition or simply improve your riding skills, this is a matchless guide.
Rider Biomechanics is a collaboration between rider biomechanics coach Mary Wanless and functional anatomist Thomas Myers. Myer's seminal book Anatomy Trains explains how connective tissue joins muscles together into functional chains. Some of these chains extend from head to toe, and they are the 'lines of pull'. Elite riders excel in balancing the tension in their lines, creating a stable balanced structure which can transmit and redirect the forces of the horse's movement. Easy, fluid, sitting eludes less skilled riders - but this book, with its copious photographs and illustrations, provides a route map for reorganising 'lines of pull', sitting, and influence on one's horse. It is through balancing one's own lines that you learn how to balance one's horse, changing his carriage and movement, and discovering the secrets of the few talented riders who naturally possess those skills.
The "scales of training" are the components of a progressive training system that has evolved from the teaching of the great riding masters of Italy, France, and Germany. The scales apply to the basic schooling of every horse, whether the rider wishes to concentrate on dressage, jumping, or eventing, and provide an essential foundation for the horse's physical and mental development. If the scales are not observed at novice level, then it is unlikely that horse and rider will progress to advanced levels or be able to maintain a consistent level of performance. In this illustrated workbook Claire Lilley explains how to use the scales when schooling and jumping at home. She describes the principles of each training scale and includes in each section a number of exercises designed to improve performance, with notes on what to look for, training tips, and solutions to common mistakes and misunderstandings.
Over 40 floorplans and 190 dressage exercises (including pole exercises) Never get stuck riding around the edge of the arena again! All floorplans have both 20x40 and 20x60 diagrams Space to take notes and keep track of your progress Directives and tips sharing what judges are looking for Exercises to suit a variety of levels with space to modify and make your own THE TRUTH ABOUT THIS BOOK... When it comes to creating dressage floorplans, there's actually not that much you can do. Think about it; a dressage floorplan is no more than a series of straight lines and circles. That's it! The level of difficulty is increased by riding these straight lines and circles in different places, including transitions, and riding lateral exercises. But ultimately, when it comes to navigating your 20x40 or 20x60 arena, you will either be following a straight line or riding around a circle. Even when riding lateral exercises such as half-pass and leg-yield, you're still following a straight line. The only difference is that you are following the line in two or three tracks, rather than on one track only. So technically, we lied to you a little bit! This guide isn't a book of dressage exercises. It's really a book of dressage floorplans. BUT each floorplan can be modified to included different combinations of paces, transitions, and lateral work, giving you an almost infinite amount of dressage exercise combinations. We've created some of the exercises for you (over 190!), but there's also space for you to modify them and create your own. After working through this book, you'll never look at straight lines and circles in the same way again! Created by How To Dressage HowToDressage.com
?The aim of this book is not to describe ideal training scenarios but to look at what we can do, to the best of our ability, with the horses we have. Difficult horses can become good horses?' Carl Hester
The common belief that riding a horse can happen effortlessly and naturally is dispelled in this training method from one of the world's leading schools. The method teaches that riding is an activity that must be learned by both horse and rider through a conscious awareness that ultimately will become a subconscious ability, once the modern equestrian gains a "feel" for riding. Not purely a technical endeavor, a feel for riding is developed by learning to communicate with a flight animal and a herd animal, developing self-knowledge and self-control, developing body control, body language, and an independent seat, and learning to give effective aids by training with "questions and answers." Covering the important points that classical literature overlooks, such as the being of the horse and rider psychology, this revolutionary methodology will help a rider achieve awareness and feel in the saddle.
This enormously popular book for riders at every level, makes dressage training accessible with step-by-step guides for improving pace, riding movements and competing.