Customer Reviews

Debbie McDonald Riding Through: An Olympic Medalist's Lessons on Life and Dressage

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are plenty of dry technical dressage books available and this is not one of them. I love reading biographies of top riders and was attracted to this book because it sounded more biographical in nature and was not disappointed. Debbie shares her journey into dressage and through her experiences competing in the World Equestrian Games and the Olympics. She speaks about her horses with compassion. As someone who has been involved with horses and dressage in particular for nearly 30 years, I like that there is emphasis on praising the horse when they do what we ask. The layout of the book, with the 'check boxes', the way sections are highlighted and the photographs make all the instructions easy to understand. She gives good advice about how to ride a test, and how to corrct training problems by sorting out the basics. Want to teach your horse to passage? She covers that too. I think the book would suit someone just starting in the sport, or someone looking to move up.

Debbie's new book is definitely worth buying if you like dressage. But like it's title, I wanted more connection! The book is more a generalists approach to the sport of dressage. Describing her horse career and switch to dressage, Debbie's story should become a movie!

Later chapters do give dressage pointers. But if you are looking for something new to unlock the secrets of dressage, you won't find very much here. There are some specific exercises and maybe something you haven't tried with your horse; but all in all, this volume is a elementary look at the Olympic rider's career.

The photographs, diagrams and graphic design are EXCELLENT, colorful and a good window into the quest for dressage perfection. However, if you are looking for the exact details on how to teach your horse to piaffe, for example, you will not find it here. So, Debbie, I would have found another title. As such, I give it 6 (out of 10), "horse needs to be more supple and THROUGH. (How many times have we read that under the judges remarks!)"

I really enjoyed how Debbie's autobiography is woven into the instructional info. Definitely not a book for novice riders though. Some of the later chapters were a real stretch for me to understand as I have only been on my dressage journey for about 2 years.

This was a great read! The combination of anecdotal stories and instruction was wonderful. Fun AND learning ... what could be better!

Very well done, loved this book! She mixes her personal story in with "how to" type writing. Very informative. She is awesome. Great book.

If you are entering the Dressage world... this book is a "must read". She gives you tips to work towards and tips on things to avoid. The writing style is like a conversation with the reader.

Carla

Debbie is so down to earth and this makes this book an easy read. I love the "check" boxes which explain the hows and whys of riding, training and understanding dressage. After reading the book, it is easy to apply what you have learned to your everyday riding and training.