Common Sense Dressage: An Illustrated Guide [Hardcover]

Sally O'Connor (Author), Jean L. Schucker (Illustrator), Robert Dover (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 1990

Over 200 photos & illustrations combined with the author's instructive text make for one of the most useful books on dressage ever offered. Sound practical advice is presented on the progressive training of the horse. For less than the cost of one riding lesson, this may be the most dog-eared book on your riding bookshelf!

Editorial Reviews

Review

...explains the challenges of dressage in a straightforward, easy-to-understand fashion, and the graphics are marvelous --The Chronicles of the Horse

About the Author

As Robert Dover says in his Foreword, "Sally O'Connor has devoted her life to the equestrian world with particular emphasis on the art of training."

She credits the training techmniques presented here to her work with great trainers, among them Betty Howett, Lockie Richards, Franz Rockowansky, and Nuno Oliveira, to whom the books is dedicated.

Ms. O'Connor is a USEF and international judge for both dressage and eventing, and judges and teaches clinics all over the U.S. and the world. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 170 pages
• Publisher: Half Halt Press (June 15, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0939481219
• ISBN-13: 978-0939481217
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #899,080 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book for the dressage student..., October 21, 2000

By 

Laura Haggarty (Northern KY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Common Sense Dressage: An Illustrated Guide (Hardcover)

This book is an excellent one for any student of dressage. It might be a wee bit complicated for the absolute beginner to riding, but for most who have had some training it's appropriate. The book has a ton of excellent diagrams and illustrations, many showing the view from above so that the desired position of the horse is clearly shown. There are a number of exercises in each chapter which allow the rider to work on various elements on their own as well as with a trainer.

Chapters include: The Horse - How it Functions; Lungeing; The Work in Hand; The Basic Work in All Three Gaits; Activating the Hindquarters; Competition; Special Exercises for Problems; Canter Work; Collection, Extension and In-Between; Piaffe; and Passage. There is also an index which allows you to refer to specific topics.

All in all this is a valuable addition to the library of any equestrian interested in this branch of the discipline, and one I will be sharing with my trainer. Don't hesitate to buy it!

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great instructional book!, April 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Common Sense Dressage: An Illustrated Guide (Hardcover)

This book was just as promised, a book for people who may not have access to a trainer or lessons. I have read many dressage books that focus on the theories and the outcomes of riding dressage, but this is the first book that actually told exactly how to do some of the moves. The author tells the rider where to put the legs, hands and weight. A very good book for anyone interested in riding dressage--for competition or just for athletic development!

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Diagrams and clear, concise text., October 17, 2000

By 

Epeeist (MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Common Sense Dressage: An Illustrated Guide (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book for individuals with some basis in dressage as well as a basic understanding of horses and their movement. The many diagrams included with the text are clear, concise and explain how to apply leg, seat and rein aides correctly for most dressage movements. There is also a chapter explaining the timing of the rider's movements for transitions between gaits as well as information to help understand how to move with the horse at the various gaits, including sitting trot. Even with a regular trainer I find this book invaluable and have bought it for several friends as gifts. They also have appreciated the detailed yet simple to understand descriptions of the movements. I especially like the multiple drills that are offered with each movement to help learn the proper execution of the exercises.