39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very good overall, minor flaws in content, January 28, 2007
This review is from: 101 Dressage Exercises for Horse & Rider (Plastic Comb)
The idea behind this spiral bound book and the set up of it are both great. Lessons are on top and bottom of the pages, i.e. in vertical format rather than in horizontal. Within each lesson, the set up on the page is wonderful. A large portion of the upper page is taken up by the arena diagram which shows very clearly what the exercise will do (walk, trot, canter, halt, sidepassing, etc.).
Many lessons also have a brief "Benefits" blurb to the left of the diagram, indicating in plain language why the execise should be done. When appropriate, beneath the Benefits part, a key describes what different notations in the diagram stand for, e.g. a cone, a leg yield, ground poles, W/T/C, etc. I was very impressed with the details on that top portion.
The second half, i.e. the lower page, is where I have downgraded the 5.0 to a 4.0 (which really should be probably a 4.25 stars). This page is also split vertically in two halves. "How do I ride this?" and "Keep in mind." The former is a Step-by-Step / cookbook description of the exercise, the latter a short few-liner note on what should be kept in the back of one's mind. The "Keep in Mind" portion is rather nice and often will refer back to other exercises in the book or will be amended by notes on a particular subject such as "Riding on a loose rein."
The main qualm I have about the lower page stems from the extreme brevity of descriptions. I would like to see a bit more discussion on how to deal with problems that arise. In some cases there are two pages interjected that deal with particular issues such as "Straightness" or "Lateral Work," but none really mention in detail where issues can arise and how to counteract problems. That is the main reason for giving this book a 4.0 rather than a 5.0
Overall, I liked the book. It is good to work with, especially for those of us who are always looking for new patterns, new things to do and sometimes just need a fresh approach to engrained arena work. Very refreshing, easy to use, although not for the advanced (Level 3 and up) dressage rider, but definitely from Novice through the intermediate or intermediate-advanced rider (Training to Lower Level 3).
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Helpful for Western Riders too, June 9, 2006
This review is from: 101 Dressage Exercises for Horse & Rider (Plastic Comb)
Even though I ride western, 101 Dressage Exercises has helped me create more lift and forward motion in my horse while retaining flexion. I especially liked the chapters describing different stretches and massages beneficial to your horse. I also recently bought the author's DVD, which is also really helpful. It goes into more depth regarding work-in-hand, and helped me pay closer attention to my horse's muscular development.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally, practical application in book form, February 21, 2006
This review is from: 101 Dressage Exercises for Horse & Rider (Plastic Comb)
If you have been riding dressage for very long, hopefully you have an instructor that teaches with exercises to help you advance or correct issues. I've always wanted to have a repository of those exercises and now I do. This book is excellent. If it wasn't for copyright laws I would copy and laminate all of the pages in this book so that I could take them with me to the barn for easier reference! This is the best new dressage tool that I have come across in a very long time!
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