The principles of riding : the official instruction handbook of the German National Equestrian Federation [Hardcover]

Mary Rose (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1997

This classic teaching manual provides a complete basic instruction course for horse and rider using the German training system - a system that has consistently produced international champions for many decades. Contents include: Dress and Equipment, The Rider's Seat and Position, The Aids and How to Apply Them, Basic Schooling Exercises and Dressage Movements, Jumping Exercises for the Rider, Cross-Country Riding and Jumping, The Horse's Development and Behavior, Basic Gaits, Initial Handling and Backing, Training Programs for the Horse, Riding in Competitions. This edition of Book 1 has been fully revised and re-illustrated. Copyright 1997.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Kenilworth Press; Revised edition (February 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1872082939
• ISBN-13: 978-1872082936
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,011,916 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely the best addition to my library!, November 30, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The principles of riding : the official instruction handbook of the German National Equestrian Federation (Hardcover)

If you don't have much to invest in books on riding and dressage, do yourself a favor and get this one. I have Jane Kidd's Dressage Essentials and Sylvia Loch's Riding in Lightness, and I really enjoy both of those also, but Principles gets down to the real nitty gritty with excellent explanations and clear drawings.

I'm one of those novice, overage riders with a new, relatively green horse, and we're endeavoring to learn dressage. Our instructor/trainer recommended this book, and it's the best I've read yet on the basics of everything, from the different types of cavesons, to the horse and how he functions, and the rider, too. It confirmed to me also that I have an excellent instructor who is taking the classical approach and not trying to rush us, which seems to be happening too much these days.

This is a great book to read through, and then study in detail.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Basics and updated perspective, May 9, 2000

By 

lmcgilli "lmcgilli" (Placerville, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The principles of riding : the official instruction handbook of the German National Equestrian Federation (Hardcover)

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I expected the stereotypical German style and found a really excellent book on the basics for both horse and rider. The basics for the horse stress the classical stretching, relaxtion and throughness. But, the book also approaches the training of the horse with a very "soft" feel. I think this is a really excellent book for all riders, beginners esp., but a nice review for more advanced.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mission Critical, September 24, 2001

By 

Lara Hope Schwartz (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The principles of riding : the official instruction handbook of the German National Equestrian Federation (Hardcover)

If you ride horses, and especially if you study dressage, you need this book. I'm buying it for the third time because I keep lending it out and losing it. This is horsemanship as it's meant to be done. If your trainer isn't teaching you consistently with this system, RUN AWAY.

All you really need for your beginning equestrian library is this book, Alois Podhajsky's "Complete Training of Horse and Rider," and the Pony Club manual (for guidance on grooming, stable management, health, etc.).