Dressage: The Art of Classical Riding [Hardcover]

Sylvia Loch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1990

A lavish history of classical riding, from ancient times to modern competition, now available again. Featuring more than 100 photos. An Equestrian Edge Book Club Selection

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Classical riding historian Sylvia Loch here traces the development of classical equitation ‹ from antiquity, through the Baroque period of splendid enlightenment, to Nuno Oliveira, the Spanish Riding School, and modern dressage competition. Remarkably, this is the only English-language book to comprehensively cover all the great masters, past and present, and to explain in depth the methods and schools that they represent. Loch¹s practical knowledge of her subject enables her to illustrate what motivated and influenced the masters and what and how they taught. She also contrasts the teachings of the classical masters with modern dressage at the Olympic level, offering her thoughts on how this ancient art has been influenced by the modern idea of sport. All those interested in dressage will welcome this illuminating work back into print. Sylvia Loch teaches riding and lectures worldwide on the history of classical horsemanship. She is the author of The Classical Rider, Dressage in Lightness, The Classical Seat, and The Royal Horses of Europe.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square Publishing; 2nd Edition edition (August 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0943955327
• ISBN-13: 978-0943955322
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,111,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A in-depth look at riding in its historical context, November 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Dressage: The Art of Classical Riding (Hardcover)

As the nature of horseback riding has changed from the original, practical purposes to being a recreation and past-time, riding styles have changed from what is best for horse, to what is most expedient for the casual rider who wants to "enjoy" horses. An example of this phenonema from US-style western riding is the "sliding stop". When a horse is very responsive, it should be possible to stop quickly in order to change direction, and sometimes the horse is going so fast he slides to a stop. Unfortunately, "responsiveness" is difficult to judge, and sliding is dramatic, so an original practical ideal of being able to change a horse's direction has turned into a contest to see how far a horse can drag itself by the front hooves while letting the back hooves drag on the ground. A similar corruption of purpose and technique has played itself out in almost every riding discipline as those activies have become more removed from any practical purpose.

This is one of the only books that attempts to place riding in its proper context in history. Its points are illustrated with many rare color and black & white prints of historical paintings and photographs that are invaluable in learning how to ride. The major riding masters of history and what they discovered are all presented in a way that makes one want to learn more. Anyone wishing to increase their understanding of riding past past what is currently fashionable should own this book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An astonishingly good book, August 9, 2004

By 

Iberian horse lover "student-of-dressage" (Southern Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dressage: The Art of Classical Riding (Hardcover)

Dressage, isn't that just a bunch of horses being ridden around in circles? How could a book about it possibly be interesting, especially if you don't ride that way? If that is what you think, read on... Sylvia Loch has written a masterpiece in a style that does far more then just talk about "Dressage". Her book has topics of interest for virtually every dicipline, from western to jumpers. Sylvia has put together more history, more people, and more horse breeds then it would seem to be possible. She has artfully presented it in a way that makes it resonate to virtually everyone by showing how they are all connected through history. Better still, she has done it in a way that is fascinating and contemporary to read. I found her style eloquent and conclusions insightful. Reading this book will contribute to any riders understanding about where the modern horse has evolved from, and more importantly, how current teaching methods relate to historic methods. By reading the title of the book I might have put it last on my list, after reading it, I have put it FIRST!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Book!, December 8, 2009

By 

Cynthia R. Peterson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dressage: The Art of Classical Riding (Hardcover)

The author has done a wonderful job. This is a huge book. Every great Horseman is covered that helped form what we have today. Great Schools, Great Horsemen,~ it's all there. The author has went into great details, sometimes having private information from friendships that add so much more.

You will love this book.