Taking Up the Reins: A Year in Germany with a Dressage Master (Hardcover)

by Priscilla Endicott (Author), Denny Emerson (Foreword) "I wasn't thinking about the upcoming Mexican Olympics in July of 1968..." (more)
Key Phrases: indoor ring, flying changes, Stall Tasdorf, Walter Christensen, Frau Kunze (more...)

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Product Description
Twenty-five years ago, the European equestrian art of dressage took root in the United States. Since then, serious American riders have dreamed of training abroad where dressage has been practiced for centuries. Taking Up the Reins finally gives readers a first-hand look at what this training entails and how such an experience can change and illuminate one's life. At age fifty, Priscilla Endicott left family and home to spend a year studying with dressage luminary Walter Christensen. In this memoir, she shares the ups and downs of her learning experience and the many challenges of her new surroundings. She writes of the numerous relationships that affected her stay in Germany: her connection with her teacher, her horse, other riders, and the local people. The author's voice is honest, intimate, and spiced with humor. This is a voyage of discovery on many levels. Priscilla Endicott lives in Harvard, Massachusetts.

About the Author

Dressage rider Priscilla Endicott lives in Harvard, Massachusetts.

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Product Details Hardcover: 332 pages Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books (November 1, 1999) Language: English ISBN-10: 1570761345 ISBN-13: 978-1570761348 Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,092,799 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
I wasn't thinking about the upcoming Mexican Olympics in July of 1968. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
indoor ring, flying changes

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Stall Tasdorf, Walter Christensen, Frau Kunze, The Ark, New England, Grand Prix, Frau Sievers, United States, Herr Christensen, Louise Nathhorst, Sue Blinks, Park Hotel, West Germany

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 2 books:

• The Way of Life by Lao Tzu on page 209
• The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss on page 56

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Books on Related Topics (learn more)

Dressage From A to X by Barbara Burkhardt

Discusses:

• flying changes
• dressage ring
• dressage riders

Dressage Masters by David Collins

Discusses:

• flying changes
• dressage world
• dressage riders

Dressage by Sylvia Loch

Discusses:

• flying changes
• dressage judge
• dressage riders

Dressage From A to X by Barbara Burkhardt Discusses: flying changes dressage ring dressage riders Dressage Masters by David Collins Discusses: flying changes dressage world dressage riders Dressage by Sylvia Loch Discusses: flying changes dressage judge dressage riders Loading...

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5 Reviews 5 star:  (3) 4 star:    (0) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.0 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 12 of 12 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars I Wish I Could..., September 12, 2000 By  Lynne Holt "Lynne" (St. Paul, MN USA) - See all my reviews If wishes were horses (and for many of us, they so often are), then just about any passionate dressage rider would want to follow in Priscilla Endicott's adventure. She clearly chronicles what it is like to enter into a relationship with a wonderful horse, and then to trust her mentor, Walter Christiansen, with that relationship far from home. She submits herself and her horse to the regimen so often looked upon with envy and awe by American riders...German dressage training. She takes us from the barn she comes to call home for a year to visits with the great Herbert Rehbein; and from Christine Steuckelberger and her trainer, Georg Wahl. Mainly, though, she takes us deeper into her growth as a rider and as a person, and into those extraordinary way horses and dressage teach us about life. It is a wonderful read first from the standpoint of horses and the art of dressage, but it also speaks of the courage to leave your own country to learn from another culture. I loved this book. 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: 2.0 out of 5 stars Not what I was looking for, December 16, 2005 By  G. Pearson "amboise" (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    The book was written like a diary with most of the interesting parts removed. Priscilla does a nice job of sharing some of the people and personal observations of her experience, but does not cover what I was interested in. Where was she at in her riding when she arrived, what did she accomplish while she was in training, and how did that opportunity help her when she returned? She did share what she saw in stable management and horse care, but mostly at an observer's level. I was interested in finding out what she learned and how working with a dressage master changed her own riding. 6 of 7 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Training in Germany!, August 10, 2001 By A Customer Priscilla Endicott did what many people only dream about. She ventured to Germany for a year to train with master trainer, Walter Christensen. The ups and downs of the year were clearly explained and the ups always conquered the downs. The routine of teh stable was like nothing I have ever seen or read about before. And Priscilla came back to America with an experience that she will never forget. I got the book as a gift and could not stop reading it! I have loaned it out to my horse friends and they have all loved it! It is a must read for all dressage riders. It will make you more determined than ever to get to Germany and train with the best in the world!		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Taking up the Reins Taking Up the Reins: A Year in Germany with a Dressage Master A fantastic book. A reflection of time spent in Germany. Read more Published 14 months ago by J. Edwards 3.0 out of 5 stars satisfied curiosity I find the book to be well written and well organized. A facinating revelation for many serious riders who have always wanted to know what it would be like to take this adventure... Read more Published on February 21, 2000 by kent c. gilmore Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 332 pages
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books (November 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570761345
• ISBN-13: 978-1570761348
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,092,799 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Wish I Could..., September 12, 2000

By	Lynne Holt "Lynne" (St. Paul, MN USA) - See all my reviews

If wishes were horses (and for many of us, they so often are), then just about any passionate dressage rider would want to follow in Priscilla Endicott's adventure. She clearly chronicles what it is like to enter into a relationship with a wonderful horse, and then to trust her mentor, Walter Christiansen, with that relationship far from home. She submits herself and her horse to the regimen so often looked upon with envy and awe by American riders...German dressage training. She takes us from the barn she comes to call home for a year to visits with the great Herbert Rehbein; and from Christine Steuckelberger and her trainer, Georg Wahl. Mainly, though, she takes us deeper into her growth as a rider and as a person, and into those extraordinary way horses and dressage teach us about life.

It is a wonderful read first from the standpoint of horses and the art of dressage, but it also speaks of the courage to leave your own country to learn from another culture. I loved this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not what I was looking for, December 16, 2005

By	G. Pearson "amboise" (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book was written like a diary with most of the interesting parts removed. Priscilla does a nice job of sharing some of the people and personal observations of her experience, but does not cover what I was interested in. Where was she at in her riding when she arrived, what did she accomplish while she was in training, and how did that opportunity help her when she returned? She did share what she saw in stable management and horse care, but mostly at an observer's level. I was interested in finding out what she learned and how working with a dressage master changed her own riding.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Training in Germany!, August 10, 2001

By A Customer

Priscilla Endicott did what many people only dream about. She ventured to Germany for a year to train with master trainer, Walter Christensen. The ups and downs of the year were clearly explained and the ups always conquered the downs. The routine of teh stable was like nothing I have ever seen or read about before. And Priscilla came back to America with an experience that she will never forget. I got the book as a gift and could not stop reading it! I have loaned it out to my horse friends and they have all loved it! It is a must read for all dressage riders. It will make you more determined than ever to get to Germany and train with the best in the world!