Dressage Masters: Techniques and Philosophies of Four Legendary Trainers [Hardcover]

David Collins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2006

Dressage Masters takes the reader into four of the greatest training stables in Europe. The master instructors express their philosophies and practices with regard to training horses and riders, and the state of dressage in the United States and elsewhere in the world. They also share fascinating and enlightening stories about their own education, and the triumphs and hurdles encountered along their paths to success.

The trainers are:

• Klaus Balkenhol: Olympic Individual Bronze and two-time gold Team medal winner; coached the German Olympic gold medal team including the individual silver and bronze medalists and the USA Olympic bronze medal team.

•Ernst Hoyos: trained Ulla Salzgeber, winner of two Olympic Team gold medals, and Lisa Wilcox, member of the United States Equestrian Team bronze medal squad.

•Dr. Uwe Schulten-Baumer: trained Nicole Uphoff and Isabel Werth, Olympic equestrian record holders of four gold medals; Dr Schulten-Baumer Jr., winner of team gold medal in the 1980 Alternate Olympics and 1978 World Championships

•George Theodorescu: trainer of many top international teams and riders, including his daughter Monica, three-time Olympic Team gold medalist

Each chapter includes insightful descriptions and sequence photographs of exercises and other teaching techniques, and the book concludes with a detailed index that cross-references training problems as a handy guide for the reader-rider's own program.

Already eagerly anticipated by the international dressage community, Dressage Masters is destined to become an instant classic in the literature of classical horsemanship.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Dressage Masters takes the reader into four of the greatest training stables in Europe. The master instructors express their philosophies and practices with regard to training horses and riders, preparing for and taking part in competitions, and the state of dressage in the United States and elsewhere in the world. They also share fascinating and enlightening stories about their own education and the triumphs and hurdles encountered along their paths to success.

The trainers are:

Klaus Balkenhol: Olympic individual bronze and twice team gold medal winner, who coached the German Olympic gold medal team and the USA Olympic bronze medal team; Ernst Hoyos: trained Ulla Salzgeber, winner of Olympic individual silver and bronze and two team gold medals, and Lisa Wilcox, member of the United States Equestrian Team bronze medal squad; Dr. Uwe Schulten-Baumer: trained Nicole Uphoff and Isabell Werth, each the winner of four Olympic gold medals. Isabell Werth also won two individual silver medals. These two riders are tied for the Olympic equestrian record of four gold medals. He also trained his son, Dr. Schulten-Baumer, Jr, winner of the Alternate Olympics individual silver and team gold, as well as an individual silver and team gold at the World Championships; George Theodorescu: trainer of many top international teams and riders, including his daughter Monica, three- time Olympic team gold medalist and twice World Cup champion.

Each interview includes insightful descriptions and sequence photographs of exercises and other teaching and competition techniques.
Already eagerly anticipated by the international dressage community, DRESSAGE MASTERS is destined to become both an instant and a perennial classic in the literature of classical horsemanship.

About the Author

David Collins, a successful competitor and trainer and clinician of horses and students through Grand Prix level, has studied with many European dressage masters. He is a contributing writer for Dressage Today and has had articles published in The Chronicle of The Horse, Sidelines magazine, and The Newtown Bee. He operates Sport Horse Services International out of his Hawks Willow Farm in Pawling, New York.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press (July 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592286747
• ISBN-13: 978-1592286744
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #678,175 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An invaluable handbook of techniques for any serious about dressage., October 14, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dressage Masters: Techniques and Philosophies of Four Legendary Trainers (Hardcover)

DRESSAGE MASTERS: TECHNIQUES AND PHILOSOPHIES OF FUR LEGENDARY TRAINERS isn't for the casual horse enthusiast, but for the neo-pro who wishes to learn from the masters. The trainers are Klaus Balkenhol, an Olympic medalist who coached the German team, Ernst Hoyos, who trained two Olympic winners, Dr. Uwe Schulten-Baumer, who also trained two riders and his son, all champions, and George Theodorescu, trainer of many top teams and riders. Interviews with these masters pair with photos of exercises and other teaching and competition techniques to provide an invaluable handbook of techniques for any serious about dressage.

Diane C. Donovan

California Bookwatch

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars just what I needed, February 24, 2009

By 

K. Hable (Cypress, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dressage Masters: Techniques and Philosophies of Four Legendary Trainers (Hardcover)

I am training my horse and myself from second to third level and this book was the inspiration I needed to get over the rocky parts to the mystery that is piaffe and passage. Very detailed advice with great photos and thoughts from true masters. There are too few books dedicated to the classical process. This book shows how thoughtful process becomes great achievement and partnership. More than I expected and a treasure I will read many times. I will refer this book to passionate riders for their study.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fab Photos, Interesting Text!, August 15, 2008

By 

KH (Hilversum. Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dressage Masters: Techniques and Philosophies of Four Legendary Trainers (Hardcover)

I am an enthusiastic amateur rider, and shared this book with my trainer; we both found the photos fantastic, and the text informative and helpful. A great addition to the library of any rider interested in dressage at the highest levels.