Customer Reviews

Dressage for the 21st Century

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the most technical book that Belasik has published to date, and it provides a visual counterpart to his outstanding audiotape series. The pictures are particularly useful; the best of them bravely show the master in the "bad" moments-- hanging on the inside rein, for instance. These pictures assist the rider in recognizing the fool's gold that feels like bend but is weakness; I return to the mirrors in my own school equipped with brutal honesty. His descriptions of the logical progression of training will help any rider to comprehend her progress with a young horse, or her relationship with a schooled horse. Although this book is a more technical treatise than Riding Toward the Light or Songs of Horses, it shows the same poetic voice that makes those books so memorable. In my humble opinion, this book-- in combination with the audiotapes-- is the best book to educate the rider about the purest principles of riding integrated with the practical means of achieving them.

This has to be the most complete book on Equitation to the highest levels, ever to be written. It is quite simply, a masterpiece- highly readable, yet totally scholarly, as would be expected from an author such as Paul Belasik, whose previous books have gained him a worldwide, and well deserved, following.

The photographs which lavishly illustrate the book are exemplary in every way- Belasik's seat is impeccable and the horses look at ease in their work- real harmony between horse and rider.

Paul Belasik's vast knowledge of Classical Equitation, is woven effortlessly with his own conclusions, arrived at through the odyssey of research that he undertook, and chronicled in his book 'Riding Towards the Light'.

This book is a must for anyone who sees dressage first and foremost as an Art, and only secondarily as a sport.

This book is an instant classic. It discusses in detail some points that could take one years to otherwise figure out, for example, the truly correct passage. Beautifully written, it is a masterpiece that belongs in every dressage riders library.

It is defenetly a great book, very philosophical one. However, I won't recommend it for beginner dressage riders.It lacks the simple practical riding instructions and tips, But still is a great book.

This is yet another great addition to the big pile of dressage books. The difference with many is, that it is accompanied by many pictures and clear text, to help you do it yourself. Many horsebooks are not capable of getting out of the theoretical realm.
I also like the very subtle examples in which the author himself does the stuff, so it is not at all purely academic.

Furthermore, I simply liked the tone of the author. He is one of unfortunately few horsemen that do dressage, or riding, purely for the fun of the harmony with the horse, not for their ego. His erudition shows in the text, which makes it not arrogant, but pleasant to read.

Out of print, it seems, unfortunately.

I especially like to refer to this book when I get frustrated or impatient with my riding. The training philosophy here reminds me that training, like life, is a journey.

A fantastic book with some magnificent pictures.
extremely educational for the equine world.
Well done!