Discover the magnificent history of dressage in this insightful work from Sylvia Loch, acclaimed riding teacher and expert on the subject of classical horsemanship. Dressage chronicles the origin and development of every facet of the sport, including everything from its beginnings in ancient Greece to the current state of practice and competition.
Loch begins with a thorough examination of what dressage is, and how our understanding of it has changed over time. With clear and contemporary prose, she eloquently traces the threads that connect the evolution of this elegant tradition throughout the centuries. All of the important schools, masters, and famous horsemen are covered in lavish detail. Starting over 2,000 years ago with Xenophon's equestrian philosophy, Dressage progresses through the Renaissance and Enlightenment to Nuno Oliveira and the écuyères of the nineteenth-century French circus. Also of note is the spread of dressage from Europe to the rest of the world, which continues up to the present day, and has been more firmly established with the sport's inclusion in the modern Olympics.
Illustrated with more than 100 paintings and photographs, Dressage is a thoroughly-researched and engaging history. Loch's work is the comprehensive and definitive reference source for dressage enthusiasts. It is a treasure trove of fascinating information for all riders, of all disciplines, and of all skill levels. Reading it will inspire you to improve your own riding, deepen your understanding of dressage, and increase your appreciation of this fine art of horsemanship.
Loch, Sylvia: - Sylvia Loch, a Scottish born and educated dressage trainer, has become a leading authority on the art of classical riding. Author of 8 books and over 8 films about the classical balanced seat and its development, she is today much in demand as a trainer, judge, lecturer and public speaker the world over. Her first and best known book is The Classical Seat, which has sold over 90,000 copies worldwide. She learned her skills under the tutelage of her late husband, Major Henry Loch, and was much influenced by legendary equestrians, including the late Nuno Oliveira, Reiner Klimke, the Podhajsky family, and Arthur Kottas. Together, Lord and Lady Loch founded the first Lusitano Dressage Centre in the Algarve, Portugal. In 1979, they transferred the school to Great Britain, bringing with them their prized Portuguese and Spanish horses. Prior to that time, both breeds were virtually unknown in northern Europe, and it was Sylvia's books and DVDs that inspired an interest in the Iberian race as well as in classical equitation-an interest which has grown and flourished to this day. Sylvia is founder of the Classical Riding Club and has judged Iberian horses all over the world. She is passionate about teaching a good position in the saddle, rein finesse, the unseen weight aids, and how to balance the horse without force, focusing on the correct biomechanical and humane training of the horse and rider.
