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Lessons in Lightness Expanded Full Color Edition by Mark Russell, published posthumously, further advances the concept of Art Form Riding first presented in the 2004 edition ofLessons in Lightness.

Harmony, Lightness and Horses is a collection of short articles about the use of the body and the mind for horse riders."This book presents you with some of my experience, hands-on exercises and tips on how to use your body and mind to find harmony and lightness with your horse. This book explains the essence, the ultimate goal of riding; the feeling of harmony, elegance and lightness all of us riders are looking for and sometimes find glimpses of. With a new perspective on the training of the horse, the seat and the relationship between human and horse, there is something in this training approach for everybody." - Ylvie Fros

James Fillis' (1834-1913) contribution to the development of dressage as we know it today cannot be overlooked. Fillis was a pupil of François Caron, who was a direct pupil of François Baucher. Fillis also studied with Victor Franconi. Fillis was widely revered and respected by his contemporaries as a master horse trainer. There are simple truths that James Fillis expressed very clearly in his first French language text, Principes de dressage et d'equitation. This text, translated by M. H. Hayes was given the title: Breaking and Riding. Today, the term 'breaking' is not looked upon with favor in the equestrian community. Notwithstanding the good intentions of Mr. Hayes, in this unique edition, Xenophon Press has used the exact literal translation of the original French title hence our edition is entitled: Principles of Dressage and Equitation. In fairness to M. H. Hayes, the Duke of Newcastle defined 'Break' as follows:"to break a horse in trotting, is to make him light upon the hand by trotting, in order to make him fit for a gallop. To break a horse for hunting, is to supple him, to make him take the habit of running." In the original French text, where Fillis used the term dressage to refer to basic training, we have used the term 'training' instead of 'breaking.' And, where Fillis used the term dressage to refer to haute école, we have used the term 'dressage' instead of 'breaking.' These re-translations are closer to Fillis' original meaning.Our re-titled text with direct translations of the original French content sheds new positive light on Fillis' historically important magnum opus. Our fully footnoted edition is richly annotated and contains all the additional material from the authoritative J. A. Allen edition by exclusive permission granted to Xenophon Press. We are especially grateful for the proofreading of Brenner Klenzman in this edition.This exclusive edition of Principles of Dressage and Equitation is the only edition available both in print and as an e-book.

Eighteenth Century Equitation presents two classic English works on the training of military riders and horses at the start of the Napoleonic era, when "the cavalry arm," as Louis A. DiMarco has observed, "reached the highest point of its popular and professional acclaim"- A Method of Breaking Horses, and Teaching Soldiers to Ride, by Henry Herbert, 10th Earl of Pembroke, and A Treatise on Military Equitation, by William Tyndale.Written for riding masters and officers in British service, these clear and concise manuals will provide contemporary equestrian readers with historical knowledge of military theory as practiced by the light cavalry, historical insight on a moment in the evolution of horsemanship as influenced by mounted warfare, and sound principles and lessons still valuable for the improvement of horsemanship and equitation-professional or amateur, military or civilian. Xenophon Press is pleased to present these important works by the Earl of Pembroke and William Tyndale in facsimile, reproducing the fourth and final edition of Pembroke's work and the only edition of Tyndale's. The texts are complete with their original 22 plates, and are accompanied with an introduction and explanatory notes by Dr. Charles Caramello, John H. Daniels Fellow at the National Sporting Library and Museum in Middleburg, Virginia.

Unquestionably one of the most important books ever written about the art of horsemanship, de Pluvinel's treatise is complete with the celebrated illustrations by Crispin de Pas.

A contemporary of de la Gueriniere, Eisenberg was trained in the European Royal riding academies including the Viennese Spanish Riding school under Regenthal. Eisenberg is prominently featured in Koert van der Horst's "Great Books on Horsemanship" with over 8 pages of coverage.

This great book is the next in Xenophon Press' series by the students of Master Nuno Oliveira. Eleanor Russell studied with Oliveira for over ten years. For an entire year, she studied horsemanship with her stallion, Victorieux in Avessada, Portugal. During this time, she took dutiful notes of her master's teachings and faithfully recorded quotations of his lessons and discussions. Ms. Russell was permitted to photograph him in his daily work on average horses. This book is filled with candid, un-posed photographs seldom before seen. The lessons are practical and concrete. This volume illustrates daily life at the stables and reveals many secrets to understanding many classical dressage movements.This great book is the next in Xenophon Press' series by the students of Master Nuno Oliveira. Eleanor Russell studied with Oliveira for over ten years. For an entire year, she studied horsemanship with her stallion, Victorieux in Avessada, Portugal. During this time, she took dutiful notes of her master's teachings and faithfully recorded quotations of his lessons and discussions. Ms. Russell was permitted to photograph him in his daily work on average horses. This book is filled with candid, un-posed photographs seldom before seen. The lessons are practical and concrete. This volume illustrates daily life at the stables and reveals many secrets to understanding many classical dressage movements.

Just as small streams make big rivers, Divide and Conquer Book 1 explains a myriad of details on how to address each of the horses body parts for training purposes. Divide and Conquer Book 2 regroups these details to show how to accomplish all of the upper level movements and provides several techniques designed to educate riders to achieve their short and long term goals. In a clear and simple method, Franois Lemaire de Ruffieu describes all the longitudinal and lateral movements including flying changes of lead at close intervals, canter pirouette, piaffe and passage, along with patterns and exercises that develop them.All techniques for the upper level movements employ the horses natural reflexes to stimuli at their foundations. The techniques provide a sound basis of training for any level and any discipline.Dressage is an Art, and as such, can be viewed in many different ways. History shows that some extraordinary riding masters were radically different in their theories: Riders physical characteristics and differences in horse breeding have influenced Riding Masters leaving us a rich history of techniques with which to educate our horses properly. Dressage tends to follow fashion. Nevertheless, the goals of dressage have always remained the same: render the horse agreeable, easy to ride, well-balanced, straight and responding instantaneously to the slightest aids. Dressage is a school of obedience as well as a school of thought.

Calm, Forward and Straight must always serve as a guideline during the training and the order should not be interchanged. On this subject, all Riding Schools worldwide agree. These schools diverge only in their style due to the culture of their own country. In these volumes, I recapture and explain the foundations provided by the great Masters. I have provided appropriate exercises to recreate, develop, and enhance the horse's natural gaits that should be the common denominator of all riding styles and training disciplines, including Dressage, Jumpers, Hunters, Western, Pleasure, and many others. Book One includes the training progression from the beginning of the elementary level. The training mastered in Book One will be necessary to accomplish the collected and extended gaits, pirouette at the canter, tempe flying changes of lead, piaffe and passage in Book Two. Although different training methods can produce similar results, a rider must know what to do, how to do it, and, perhaps most important, why he/she is doing it. The fundamentals are explained in Book One and should be mastered for the simple reason that what a horse has learned in the early stages of his education will remain with him for his entire life. Later, should a training problem occur, one can always revisit these fundamentals, review, improve, and perfect them. This work study explains how to Divide and Conquer the horses body parts. To be able to properly perform the exercises, the horse should be able to find the appropriate head position independent of the rider. If these exercises, alone, do not result in the horse being able to find the appropriate head and body position, I explain the prerequisites to correctly set the horses head: cession (yielding) of the mouth and the flexion of the poll.

The Forward Impulse describes in simple language how to balance the horse through engagement of the haunches, enlightened use of the seat, and conscientious elasticity of the hand. Not one in a hundred riders has access to the kind of teaching that focuses on controlled energy of the haunches. This book puts the focus where it belongs: first on the engine; then, on the system of aids that manages that power to create an opportunity for the horse to express himself with magnificent gaits. The main subject of Piero Santini's second book, The Forward Impulse is the action of the hand and its relation to the natural forward balance of the horse-the forward thrust from the haunches-typical of the Italian School advocated by his teacher, Federico Caprilli. Santini elaborates on the correct use of balance, the rider's legs, use of the hand, in many disciplines including indoor and outdoor riding, jumping, steeplechase, racing, polo, and even side-saddle.Xenophon Press is proud to offer the opportunity for riders to see for themselves how logical and systematic this dream can be. The great master Piero Santini was not just a great jumping rider, but a great rider in all disciplines, during a time when the line between disciplines was blurry, and in Santini's case, nonexistent. During his lifetime, Santini was considered the greatest riding teacher in North America, bringing his direct knowledge from Caprilli, the inventor of forward seat jumper riding.

This classic text explains every phase of riding and jumping by a horseman of vast experience and international reputation. The text is enriched with numerous photographs, drawings, and diagrams. The material presented here ought to be mastered by every beginner, while the more experienced rider will find much in these pages to improve his/her riding. This manual will also prove of great value to any instructor who wishes to condense and simplify the basic tenets of outdoor equitation for the benefit of his pupils. An entire section of the book is devoted to the riding school and methods of instruction.Piero Santini, author of this work, was perhaps the greatest teacher of riding in the world (in 1941) and in this volume he explains in detail and in simple language the fundamental principles of Captain Federico Caprilli's forward-seat riding. This system was first expounded in the English language by Captain Santini and brought him fame overnight. Modern riding everywhere today bears the indelible stamp of his method. This classic is a treasure that belongs in every serious rider's working bookshelf.

This book represents a fascinating compilation of conversations, notes from Nuno Oliveira's lessons, biographical material and observations about his teachings, as well as a personal journey about what it was like to study under the Master despite a significant physical disability. Within these pages are pictures - including some never before published - that span the Master's career. Also included are tributes to the Master written by prominent international riders who studied under him. A chapter examining the influence of Baucherism on Oliveira's work includes important historical observations from noted French authors Michel Henriquet and Jean-Claude Racinet. "e;Nuno Oliveira occupies a unique place in equestrian history,"e; explains the author "e;With his blending of the classical exercises of the Old Masters and his skilled interpretation of the innovations of Franois Baucher, he took equitation to new heights of lightness, suppleness, and brilliance. His legacy now spans three generations. No other Master in living memory has so captured the art and poetry, the heart and soul, of classical equitation."e;In the words of renowned author, Sylvia Loch: "e;Stephanie's book is a masterpiece."e; In this "e;beautiful and important book,"e; Loch's introduction concludes, "e;Not only is there so much to share and learn, it is one of which the Mestre himself would be immensely proud."e;

The Dressage Way illustrates the transformation of the human by virtue of the eminently noble creature: the horse. This book is neither a simple how-to manual nor a staunch treatise on the benefits of dressage for horse and rider. With classical dressage as both foundation and inspiration, this collection of essays traces the path of the dressage trainer as she grows through her experiences with the horse. In section one, "The Way of Dressage," we see the trainer as a keen observer. She describes seemingly endless ways to understand this complex creature and in turn, herself. Section two, "The Way to Dressage," is a guide. The path has become clearer, more distinct, and all questions have been answered. There is no looking back - only forward, and to what? In third section, "The Way is Dressage" the trainer has come to the revelation that dressage provides a "way" in and of itself. The beauty of this "way" is that the horse and human are no longer separate entities but have become particularly joined so as to become yet a third,single entity. This possibility of dressage is rarely realized and even more rarely written about. In this volume a type of universal language is used, one comprehensible to both horse and human. And it is this inclusion of both that leads to the growth of each. This is the only way.

"Circus was quite a serious thing in nineteenth and early twentieth century Europe. Edmond and Jules de Goncourt noted in their Journal "We go to only one theater--the Circus. There we see clowns, tumblers....there is no false exhibition of talent..." Balzac believed that a circus equestrienne was worth more respect than an actress, a prima ballerina or an opera prima donna. And indeed, equestrians were the kings of the circus--and equestriennes, its idolized queens. For horsemanship was important then. It was more than mere entertainment. Wars had been won by good horsemen. Horses were still man's most valuable partner in so many aspects of everyday life.And the circus had been created by and for equestrians...Nelson takes us to a wonderful, often surprising journey with the greatest circus equestriennes of the nineteenth century, who reigned with so much flair over the most prestigious rings of Europe...puts back the spotlight on these unjustly forgotten stars of the circus of yore...' Many of the moves illustrated are very familiar 'haute ecole' moves in classical dressage--piaffe, Spanish walk, passage; as well as the more esoteric 'airs above of the ground' most familiar today as performed by the Spanish Riding School in Vienna and the Cadre Noir in Saumur. These moves include the courbette, capriole, levade, pesade, etc. And these circuses were housed in grand, theatrical palaces, not movable tents; but in buildings as exquisite as the equestrians/equestriennes and their horses, a fitting setting for these memorable equine artists. Includes an extensive glossary.The book is further enhanced by an Epilogue containing an account of the equestrian accomplishments of four contemporary écuyeres: Catherine Durand Henriquet, Eloise Schwarz King, Géraldine Katharina Knie, and Katja Schumann Binder.

Faverot de Kerbrech's 'Methodical Dressage of the Riding Horse according to the last teachings of Francois Baucher' is considered the "Bible of Baucherism." Together with it, in 'Dressage of the Outdoor Horse' General de Lagarenne gives us the teaching of Faverot de Kerbrech. Both books, included in this one volume, are excellently translated by Michael L. M. Fletcher.François Faverot de Kerbrech's (1837 - 1905) first riding master was his father, General Baron Faverot, student of Chevalier D'Abzac. At Saint Cyr, his teachers were students of the Count d'Aure. Faverot completed his studies by following François Baucher. Faverot became one of Baucher's favorite students. A horseman of great repute, he remained the loyal successor to the work of François Baucher.The Master François Baucher brought numerous modifications to his first method of dressage. His best student, Faverot de Kerbrech gives us the definitive description and explanation of Baucher's second manner in his work: Methodical Dressage of the Saddle Horse from the Last Teaching of Baucher, recalled by one of his students (1891). Published twenty years after the death of Baucher, this work is the result of a quest to bring French equitation out of its academic approach; enriched by the experience of Baucher's most illustrious student. It is widely considered the best representation of Baucher's second method.In Dressage of the Outdoor Horse, General de Lagarenne gives us the last teaching of Faverot de Kerbrech. This work consists of a simplified progression of the second manner of Baucher with regard to the preparation of a horse for outdoor riding.

A biomechanical problem-solving approach to training challenges. Every action of rider has an impact on the health and well-being of the horse either positive or negative, looseness or tension. But what are the causes? The Science and Art of Riding with Lightness reveals the interplay between the biomechanics of the horse and the dressage exercises in a coherent manner. It will become clear which training mistakes cause which problems in the horses way of going and which training and the physical-therapeutic measures that can be taken to correct problems. With this knowledge, the vet can assess and treat problems in an appropriate manner and advise the rider more fittingly with regard to the training of the horse. Likewise, the dedicated rider can find valuable supportive suggestions and ideas in the training and correction of his horse, from Dr. Stodulkas unique gift of being both a master rider, and equine vet well verse in allopathic medicine and alternative therapies. With this knowledge, the veterinarian will be able to assess training-induced disorders and to recommend better and more successful therapies and advise the rider with a view to training optimization. Small errors often have huge consequences. Only the rider who knows what they are can rectify them.I have read many teachings of riding. This health-giving route to riding is one of the best and easiest to understand for young and old, professional or amateur. It should be compulsory reading for veterinarians and horse lovers. Both the horse and the rider should be in a position, physically and mentally, to understand what is demanded of them. Dr. Stodulka has understood this, and managed to immortalize his knowledge and experience in this book. - Arthur Kottas-Heldenberg

François Robichon de la Guérinière (1688-1751) was born in Essay, a small town near Alençon, where his father was a lawyer; he was also an officer at the court of the Duchess of Orleans. La Guérinière was a pupil of Antoine de Vendeuil, who was "Écuyer ordinaire de la grande ecurie" in Versailles between 1680 and 1717. In 1715, de la Guérinière received the title as "Écuyer du Roi," which entitled him to give lessons. In 1730, Prince Charles of Lorraine, "Grand Écuyer de France" (Master of the Horse) named him director of the Royal Stables at the Tuileries, which had been founded by Antoine de Pluvinel, Louis XIII's teacher. De Pluvinel is best know for his work: The Maneige Royal, 1626 [Xenophon Press 2010].La Guérinière's book, École de Cavalerie, was first published in 1731 and again under different titles between 1733 and 1802. It consists of three parts: Knowledge of the Horse In and Out of the Stable; Training; and Treatment of Illness.This expanded volume contains all Chapters I - XXII of the Second Part of École de Cavalerie, entitled ''De La Manière de Dresser Les Chevaux, Suivant Les Diferens Usages Auxquels On Les Destine.'' (The Method of Training Horses According to the Different Ways in Which They Will Be Used). Chapters XIX through XXII are new to this edition and contain valuable information pertinent to today's riders and trainers. In discussing subjects as the training of the war horse, the hunt horse, the coach horse and other matters such as tournaments, jousting, carousels, etc., the author reveals important training advice that will be invaluable to riders of many disciplines. The illustrations used are reproduced from the 1733 edition. Further expanding this edition is an Appendix including a new translation of Chapter VI from Part I: On the bridle. Part II, the training portion of the three volume book heavily references the bridle and the use of the rider's hands. As editor, I felt it was important to include these detailed descriptions and recommendations of the time as most are completely applicable to today's rides especially with the interest in historic bits, bridles and equipment.École de Cavalerie is one of the best works on equitation ever to appear in France. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that after a long struggle beginning in the renaissance academies of Italy, equitation in France suddenly flowed forth from La Guérinière. To quote the late Head of the Spanish Court Riding School in Vienna, Colonel Alois Podhajsky, "It was the great riding master La Guérinière who produced the most revolutionary book on riding of all time. Unlike [those by] his predecessors, his book is clear and easy to understand. He based it on simplicity and facts, in order to be completely understood by his readers." His principles are still "applied unaltered at the Spanish Court Riding School and may be seen there in daily use."It is for these reasons that La Guérinière is considered the Father of French Equitation and the Father of Modern Dressage; and it is impossible to read a book about dressage without finding his name mentioned, credit given to him, and an occasional quote from his work. Thus, the serious horse-person who takes the time to read La Guérinière's work cannot help but enrich his/her own knowledge by discovering the depth and quality of information that forms the base of much of our equestrian theory.