Customer Reviews

The USDF Guide to Dressage

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Occasionally there are books that cross my desk that are so stunning and exciting that everything else is put aside because I'm compelled to read the one that just arrived. The USDF Guide to Dressage by Jennifer O. Bryant is one of those 'must-read' books.

Dressage is a French word for training. The USDF Guide to Dressage is the official guide of the United States Dressage Federation and is a 352-page, in-depth and comprehensive manual of all things dressage. It is must-have book for anyone who participates in or is interested in dressage.

The book explains the history, the required attire, tack and equipment, training, competition, selection of an instructor, physical training and so much more. The vast amount of information is accompanied by photographs and diagrams for the visual learner.

I loved learning about the history of dressage and who judges the events. But, as someone who doesn't know much about dressage, the section on competitions really drew my interest.

I would suggest that this book is the 'bible' of dressage. It is not a loaner because it will never be returned.

Armchair Interviews says: If you're interested in or participate in Dressage, The USDF Guide to Dressage is required reading. It will not only contribute to your education but will provide continual enjoyment.

This book might better be titled "Introduction to Dressage." It starts with the basics, assuming the reader is not only unfamiliar with dressage, but unfamiliar with basic horsemanship. As an introduction, it is excellent.

However, as a recent convert to dressage after years of riding hunt seat, I was hoping for something that covered more dressage-specific information. I was disappointed to find that this book tops out at Second Level. The buyer should be aware that although the book covers some lateral work like shoulder-in, it does NOT cover the higher levels of dressage, including half-pass, piaffe, passage, canter pirouettes, etc.

This is a mammoth book and encompases everything dressage.

The USDF Guide to Dressage

As a former Dressage and Saddle Horse Judge for the EFA, I decided to purchase this book as it was written presuming readers needed no prior knowledge of the art.

An excellent book for someone starting out in this field and also a must-have reference book for the initiated. I do like the way it covers Bits to Saddles and even covers further reading, outfitters and all that sort of nitty-gritty.

The one small fault I found was with the item about "on-the-bit". It clearly states what it is, how it should look, above/behind etc, and gives some possible reasons for this - but unfortunately there are no suggestions for exercises to help put your horse on-the-bit. Personally I should have liked to see a section on "how-to-do" and some exercises to help with this manoeuvre to help riders to work along correct lines towards this goal.

"Commonsense Dressage" by Sally O'Connor gives a beaut description of how to work to achieve this. Common Sense Dressage: An Illustrated Guide Otherwise this is an excellent book.

This book is everything it was promised to be. I saw an excerpt from one of the chapters in Dressage Today and ordered it. It has beautiful color pictures, is very comprehensive and extremely helpful. I have been riding dressage for 1 year and I know that this book will be a great resource for me for many years.

this is a great book, covers about everything for the person new to dressage and/or a little rusty on the basics.

In order to take you riding skills (dressage skills) to the next level, this book is what you need. Jennifer Bryant's book is the perfect compliment to your dressage training. Her relaxed tone makes it an easy and fun read as well as enormously informative.
Clear instructions enhanced with pictures and drawings makes the text very clear and easy to understand.
I am an advanced dressage rider and I highly recommend this book to anyone that are looking to perfect his or hers riding.

I bought this book as a beginner dressage rider. It is an excellent guide and contains a history of Dressage. The book is very easy to read and relate to. I use it as a reference tool and learning before and after each lesson.

The book should be titled "The USDF Guide to Good Riding". The principles outlined in the book are applicable to all riders in all facets of riding horses. Good basics are necessary for any equine sport and this book outlines them all. I have advised all of my students to buy it.

I love that this book is written in such a way that the absolute first time dressage rider and the experienced upper level show rider can both sit down with it and find something of real value. The illustrations are well drawn and easy to use. The photography is excellent & the horses are shown in correct form and carriage. The language used is not full of random terminology that assumes you have been riding with a coach for two years and "should already know this stuff" - the assumption is that you have spent a substantial sum of money on this book because you intend for the book to teach you these things. AND IT DOES!

I am immensely pleased to have this one in my library. My husband, who normally finds dressage tomes to be his version of sleeping pills, is enjoying it too. We both especially like the fact that the author has covered very clearly and with great detail, including photos, specific tack choices and the clothing for the show ring at various levels as well. Again these are things that people just assume you already know or have a full time coach who handles all these little details and that's not the case for most of us out here in the real world! If you're on a budget and learning as you go or live in a rural setting where you're the only dressage folks in a 60 mile radius, this book will make life considerably easier!

I found this book to be a well-illustrated and easy-to-read guide. My one comment, or warning to those considering this book, is that as an official guide of the major national dressage organization, it is clearly geared toward those riders whose primary interest is in eventually competing. For the "recreational" dressage rider, much of the nitty-gritty of this book will be of little interest, and the real meat of training and riding techniques may seem too superficially covered. Overall though, great book for what it is and was written for!