Dressage Masters: Techniques And Philosophies Of Four Legendary Trainers

by David Collins, Ernst Hoyos, Uwe Schulten-baumer

Dressage Masters takes the reader into four of the greatest training stables in Europe. The master instructors express their philosophies and practices with regard to training horses and riders, and the state of dressage in the United States and elsewhere in the world. They also share fascinating and enlightening stories about their own education, and the triumphs and hurdles encountered along their paths to success.

The trainers are:

• Klaus Balkenhol: Olympic Individual Bronze and two-time gold Team medal winner; coached the German Olympic gold medal team including the individual silver and bronze medalists and the USA Olympic bronze medal team.
•Ernst Hoyos: trained Ulla Salzgeber, winner of two Olympic Team gold medals, and Lisa Wilcox, member of the United States Equestrian Team bronze medal squad.


•Dr. Uwe Schulten-Baumer: trained Nicole Uphoff and Isabel Werth, Olympic equestrian record holders of four gold medals; Dr Schulten-Baumer Jr., winner of team gold medal in the 1980 Alternate Olympics and 1978 World Championships


•George Theodorescu: trainer of many top international teams and riders, including his daughter Monica, three-time Olympic Team gold medalist

Each chapter includes insightful descriptions and sequence photographs of exercises and other teaching techniques, and the book concludes with a detailed index that cross-references training problems as a handy guide for the reader-rider's own program.


Already eagerly anticipated by the international dressage community, Dressage Masters is destined to become an instant classic in the literature of classical horsemanship.

Genres: Horses

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This page has collected the miscellaneous items unattributed to specific David Collinses.

For the 18th-19th century Australian legislator, see David^^^^^^^Collins

Reviews

[Shannon Ryan-Dinmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this as part of a book club including group discussion. Some sections seemed less in depth than others but that may be due to the trainer or language barriers. There are some great gems of wisdom though and it’s interesting to compare philosophies of different dressage masters.

[bel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book that explained many fundmental principles, while at the same time including individual input. To see the variation, the depth, and the way that each trainer connected to the horses, and how they explained this, was VERY helpful. An interesting read, it allowed a lot of learning, while being interesting. This really helped show the differences between trainers, and in a very simple way explained basics and REASONING.

SUMMARY: multiple renown dressage riders are interviewed, with SOME of the same questions about their careers, training horses, their riding, how they interact with horses, what they wish would improve or change in the sport, etc.

The best parts: I really liked how the same questions were sometimes asked because it really allowed to see the differences between individual methods of training. I also liked how the basic ideas, such as half halts, lateral movements an things that are often discussed, but never explained were talked about. It was very unique to see "from" the trainers view. The pictures were also helpful.

The not so best parts: I thought that sometimes the question were not answered, I also felt that it could get a bit repetitive, And sometimes the pictures weren't "technically" explained but instead were opinionated (which I completely Agreed with, but felt that I would have learned more if the image was analysed and explained.

I recommend this book for any dressage rider who wants to learn more!

[Roseanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for anyone who wants to gain insight into the training methods of some of the top Dressage instructors. Although each of these four trainers all have different methods and timelines for their horses one thing remains the same: Every single one of them puts the horse first and advocates for the horse. Horses should not be rushed through their training just to get into the show ring; rather they should be educated step by step up through the levels in a progressive manner that instills confidence in them for life.

I gave this book 5 stars because I can easily see myself rereading this book at least once a year.

[Randi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hands-down the best description of this sport I've ever read. These interviews with the masters of the sport allow the reader inside their minds, supply training tips, stories and anecdotes, and explain techniques so clearly that you'll feel as though you can head right out, saddle up, and ride your own Grand Prix test. Every time I thumb through its pages, I find something else that is pertinent to my riding and take it away with me.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this book. Very insightful, I defiantly recommend this book.