101 Dressage Exercises for Horse & Rider (Plastic Comb)

by Jec Aristotle Ballou (Author) "Dressage requires that we make athletes of our horses and ourselves..." (more)
Key Phrases: working sitting trot, canter depart, lengthened trot, Trotting Ground Poles, Carrot Stretch, Leg Flippers (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Dressage, the equestrian practice in which a horse makes highly precise movements in response to barely perceptible signals from the rider, has taken hold of America’s equestrians. Participation rates have risen by 200 percent over the past twenty years, as baby-boomer riders have discovered dressage to be less strenuous and dangerous than jumping, yet offering the satisfaction of mastering techniques and the opportunity to compete and advance to higher levels of achievement.

101 Dressage Exercises for Horse & Rider, presented in Storey’s highly visual “Read & Ride” format, features a full arena diagram and stepby- step instructions for each exercise. The exercises address all levels of riders, starting with the basics and moving up to maneuvers developed by members of the U.S. Olympic team. Training tips and masterly guidance make this an indispensable reference for all dressage riders. Even Western riders interested in enhancing their performance will find these foundational exercises useful.

Dressage riders are information-hungry readers, often referred to as “the thinking horsemen.” This book’s sturdy format, combbound and drilled so it can be hung on a ringside post, will appeal to these reading riders, whether in or out of the saddle.

About the Author
Trainer and author Jec A. Ballou's teaching and training articles have been featured in every major equestrian publication. She has worked with over 20 different breeds of horses and continues to enjoy the day-to-day journey of training-- and learning from-- horses.

For most of her life, Jec has immersed herself in the study of classical training, including seven intensive training residencies in Portugal, two training residencies in Holland, and one training residency in Germany with the late Egon von Neindorff. Additionally, she has studied horse behavior and communication with many masters in this field. Most recently, she traveled to Melbourne, Australia to train with her mentor, Manolo Mendez, original head rider of the Royal School of Equestrian Arts in Spain.

Jec's initial passion for the proper gymnastic development of horses arose at age 13, when she became the youngest rider in history to win the coveted Vermont 100 Mile Competitive Trail Ride. She followed that up with three back-to-back national long distance championships. Since then, she has continued to study every aspect of classical training and conditioning with an undying commitment. She has prepared multiple champions for disciplines as varied as endurance, hunt seat, and carriage driving.

Jec has collaborated with reknown trainers for articles in national magazines. Her book, 101 Dressage Exercises for Horse and Rider (Storey Publishing), was on the best-seller list for eight consecutive weeks in the spring of 2006.

Currently, Jec specializes in helping horses obtain healthy, optimal movement, regardless of their discipline. She works most often with dressage horses, but also assists a number of FEI endurance riders/horses. Jec collaborates willingly with trainers from various backgrounds and disciplines, believing that more is accomplished for the horse when experts work together.

Product Details

• Plastic Comb: 240 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC (July 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580175953
• ISBN-13: 978-1580175951
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #25,003 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good overall, minor flaws in content, January 28, 2007

By	Rotty3M "rotty3m" (Florida, United States) - See all my reviews

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).

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful for Western Riders too, June 9, 2006

By	Rachel (California) - See all my reviews

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, practical application in book form, February 21, 2006

By	Beverly R. McLean "Dressage Rider" (Red Mare Farm) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!