Athletic Development of the Dressage Horse, de Kunffy

192 pgs Hardcover 1992

Recommended for: Intermediate and advanced dressage riders, instructors and judges

Editor's Description: In this book, written for those who already have a foundation in dressage, internationally recognized lectured, coach and judge Charles de Kunffy offers and explains gymnastically meaningful patterns that riders can use to train, supple and strengthen their horses. Unlike other dressage books that explain how to exercise a horse in order to ride a standardized text, this book explains how exercises are the means by which riders can increase performance ability, suspension, collection and changes of gait in their horse. It is, in short, a challenging program that lets riders understand the benefit these exercises have to their horses. Each chapter is accompanied by diagrams and demonstration photographs. "Riders should not practice patterns merely because they will have to ride them in competition tests," says de Kunffy, "Instead, they should know the gymnastic usefulness and the developmental purposed invested in each." Those who are able to meet de Kunffy's challenge will not be disappointed. Charles de Kunffy teaches training courses for teachers and judges and gives clinics in the United States and abroad. His other books are "Dressage Questions Answered" and "Creative Horsemanship." (T.B.) HIGHLIGHTS - The relevance of dressage in horsemanship - Training strategies - Training traditions - The patterns of the manege - Patterns as training strategies - Longitudinal exercises - The circle - Ways to increase suspension - Lateral bending on two tracks - Gymnastic patterns - Suppling patterns at the trot - The horse at canter - Patterns for improving flying tempi changes