Training Strategies for the Dressage Rider, Second Edition [Hardcover]

Charles de Kunffy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2003 | Series: Howell Equestrian Library

Training Strategies for Dressage Riders is a unique guide to the art and technique of dressage, written by one of the most renowned equestrian trainers in the world today. It offers a complete training system for both horse and rider, paying special attention to how a rider s actions can influence a mount. The book provides practical, in-the-saddle advice on a wide range of dressage topics, including:
* The art of classical equitation
* The development of the rider s seat and aids
* Developing the basic gaits
* Gymnastic improvement
* Horse insubordination
* Clinics and competitions judging
Whether you want to prepare for dressage competition or simply improve your riding skills, this is a matchless guide.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Dressage–once the sport of royalty–combines athletic grace with the fascination of the horse-and-rider relationship at its most highly developed level. It is the art of making horse and rider move gracefully as one.

Charles de Kunffy says in his Foreword to this 2nd edition of his classic training book, "I am relentless in the hope that I can inspire in my readers the ‘right spirit’ toward horses and riding; that I can also add to their scholarship and foster their ‘right-mindedness’ toward the art of riding and toward their beloved horses.

"Horsemanship is a complex science and, when done well, a great art. As a science, it is a matter for the intellect, acquired by scholarship. When practiced on the level of art, it ennobles the spirit and elevates the character."

Training Strategies for Dressage Riders is full of specific guidelines for the correct development of riders and their horses. It addresses the most important issues involved with improving equitation, so that riders will be able to gymnasticise their horses correctly. Believing in "equestrian elegance through effectiveness," Charles de Kunffy guides riders through the traditional dressage training system, explaining how horse and rider can combine athleticism and science into breathtaking art.

From the Back Cover

Training Strategies for Dressage Riders is a unique guide to the art and technique of dressage, written by one of the most renowned equestrian trainers in the world today. It offers a complete training system for both horse and rider, paying special attention to how a rider?s actions can influence a mount. The book provides practical, in-the-saddle advice on a wide range of dressage topics, including:

• The art of classical equitation
• The development of the rider?s seat and aids
• Developing the basic gaits
• Gymnastic improvement
• Horse insubordination
• Clinics and competitions judging

Whether you want to prepare for dressage competition or simply improve your riding skills, this is a matchless guide.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 313 pages
• Publisher: Howell Book House; 2 edition (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764526375
• ISBN-13: 978-0764526374
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #773,976 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Focuses on what the RIDER can do to influence the horse, January 31, 1999

By 

jmj "j2" (WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Training Strategies for Dressage Riders (Howell Equestrian Library) (Hardcover)

At last! A book that not only tells me what to ask the horse for, but also tells me how to most effectively submit my request! So often, an author writes a book full of great ideas that remain unusable by the reader because the author fails to describe how to ask the horse effectively. "Ask the horse for movement A" is only half of the equation. The rest of the statement is "by doing X with your seat, Y with your shoulders, Z with your legs, and adjusting your hands thusly." Mr. De Kunffy provides the whole statement. I am on the third reading of this book in a month, not because I didn't understand it the first time, but because of the depth, breadth, and significance of the material. Mr. De Kunffy tells me how to ride the horse in balance with my seat and legs -- not my hands -- with amazing results. He gives me the courage to reject any false quick fixes to meet with peer approval. I see immediate returns from my recovering saddle seat Morgan in the form of increased trust and reduction of fear. This is an excellent volume for those of us who lackacess to equestrian training meccas. I expect this volume will forever affect my interactions with horses. I thank the author for telling me, clearly and beautifully, what I can do to ride well and earn the trust and influence the development and performance of my equine partners.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too Much Theory and "Shoulds", July 26, 1999

By 

Annette E. Winter "www.annettewinter.com" (Raleigh, North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Training Strategies for Dressage Riders (Howell Equestrian Library) (Hardcover)

Although I agree that the author advocates a thoughtful and gentle approach to riding which is to be commended, as a novice to dressage I found the information hard to put to use. There is much digression into theory during explanation of the aids for various movements. I didn't find it helpful to hear how, for example, the perfect half-pass "should" be done. I was hoping to be told what EXACTLY to do with my aids, what to avoid and how best to present this movement to my horse, as clearly as possible and without a lot of "pie-in-sky" wishful thinking. I agree with the reviewer from Charlotte that this book is not for beginners. If anyone thinks I am off the mark, please let me know - otherwise I will return this book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book on Dressage, March 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Training Strategies for Dressage Riders (Howell Equestrian Library) (Hardcover)

The author demonstrates clearly his love for horses and the art of dressage. He emphasizes the fundamentals of good riding: a good seat and hence quiet giving hands. This is not really a 'how-to' book, but then no book on riding really can be, because riding is not something mechanical. I enjoyed reading this book, even though the text is quite repetitive at times. It made me newly aware of aspects of my riding, and I have been riding dressage for more than 20 years!