Classical Rider [Hardcover]

Sylvia Loch (Author), Eva Podhajsky (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1997

The author believes that in order to be at one with a horse, riders should study his physiology and psychology and work within the laws of nature. Riders at all levels of attainment should find this book both stimulating and an inspiration.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 337 pages
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square Publishing; 1ST edition (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570760845
• ISBN-13: 978-1570760846
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,237,913 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written and helpful, December 9, 1999

By 

Joanna (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classical Rider (Hardcover)

I have been riding for 3 years and have felt that I wasn't getting it or understanding what my trainers and horses were trying to tell me. For whatever reason, Sylvia Loch's description of the rider's position and the pelvic floor in relation to the horse's back turned on the lightbulb for me. It doesn't do any good for the rider(or the horse)to continue with his/her lessons until the balanced seat and body position is learned. Otherwise the rider spends all of his/her time behind the horse's movement rather than in time with it. The author definitely loves horses and genuinely wants to teach others how to ride a horse in balance so the ride is enjoyable for both the horse and rider. Those looking for a quick lesson book will instead find this is an autobiography with insights and explanations in between the stories. Read this if you are not afraid of a little more time and effort instead of a quick fix. Your horse deserves it.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well-written and thoughtful, October 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Classical Rider (Hardcover)

I found Sylvia Loch's treatise on the theory and practice of classical dressage to be a delightful read, peppered with many memorable personal anecdotes. This book is far from "gossipy" (as other reviewers have stated), unless you consider Ms. Loch's praise of the old masters and their training methods to be gossip. While Ms. Loch has clearly run into confrontation over the merits of the three-point seat, this is mentioned only once or twice as an aside.

All in all, the author is quite obviously committed and devoted to her horses and to the art of classical riding. As such, she has created a really wonderful book that is also, unsurprisingly, very helpful in providing background information on classical dressage as well as its technique.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute must for any serious rider, November 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Classical Rider (Hardcover)

This text provides an excellent source for any serious rider, or anyone who wishes to truly improve their riding technique. Ms. Loch uses historical analysis and documentation about the great masters of horsemanship. Easy to read, easy to understand, and very correct. I highly recommend this book to all my riding students.