Dressage for the 21st Century (Hardcover)

by Paul Belasik (Author) "If, at the beginning of the twenty-first century, one takes a perspective view back to Pignatelli's School in Northern Italy in the late sixteenth century,..." (more)
Key Phrases: doux passage, lower leg aids, full bridle, Duke of Newcastle, Campaign School, Spanish Riding School (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A remarkable illustrated work on the art of dressage by a modern–day master, featuring a lavish selection of color photos and drawings.

From the Publisher
This major, eagerly–awaited work from Paul Belasik combines modern, innovative thought with an unshakeable belief in the timeless, layered progression of the classical system of training horses. While it deals comprehensively with all the technical aspects of training, from breaking to the most advanced movements, the book also offers many examples of the author’s philosophy: to view riding and training essentially as an art form, to be practiced and celebrated for its own sake. Dressage for the 21st Century is a truly inspirational, thought–provoking book from an emerging modern–day master of horsemanship. Paul Belasik has already gained a large and appreciative international following from the publication of his trilogy, Riding Towards the Light, Exploring Dressage Technique, and The Songs of Horses. He lives and trains at his farm in Pennsylvania.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 182 pages
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square Publishing (February 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570762112
• ISBN-13: 978-1570762116
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 10.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #751,261 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A long-awaited complement to Belasik's trilogy, December 3, 2002

By A Customer

This is the most technical book that Belasik has published to date, and it provides a visual counterpart to his outstanding audiotape series. The pictures are particularly useful; the best of them bravely show the master in the "bad" moments-- hanging on the inside rein, for instance. These pictures assist the rider in recognizing the fool's gold that feels like bend but is weakness; I return to the mirrors in my own school equipped with brutal honesty. His descriptions of the logical progression of training will help any rider to comprehend her progress with a young horse, or her relationship with a schooled horse. Although this book is a more technical treatise than Riding Toward the Light or Songs of Horses, it shows the same poetic voice that makes those books so memorable. In my humble opinion, this book-- in combination with the audiotapes-- is the best book to educate the rider about the purest principles of riding integrated with the practical means of achieving them.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic for the 21st Century, June 21, 2002

By	H. Moffett (Harberton, Totnes, Devon, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This has to be the most complete book on Equitation to the highest levels, ever to be written. It is quite simply, a masterpiece- highly readable, yet totally scholarly, as would be expected from an author such as Paul Belasik, whose previous books have gained him a worldwide, and well deserved, following.

The photographs which lavishly illustrate the book are exemplary in every way- Belasik's seat is impeccable and the horses look at ease in their work- real harmony between horse and rider.

Paul Belasik's vast knowledge of Classical Equitation, is woven effortlessly with his own conclusions, arrived at through the odyssey of research that he undertook, and chronicled in his book 'Riding Towards the Light'.

This book is a must for anyone who sees dressage first and foremost as an Art, and only secondarily as a sport.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Excellent, January 21, 2005

By	Wendy Ray (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This book is an instant classic. It discusses in detail some points that could take one years to otherwise figure out, for example, the truly correct passage. Beautifully written, it is a masterpiece that belongs in every dressage riders library.