Many classical riding enthusiasts plunge headfirst into reading the original texts and frequently become daunted by what they read. Some masters contradict others, and some contradict modern understanding altogether. The language, of course, is also a challenge in itself. Then, there are also disturbing passages that make us modern readers cringe. So, is it worth [...]
A lot of times, when people look at different classical trainers, they see or look for trainers from different "schools." But what does this mean? What difference does it make? Well, it can make a lot of difference, depending on your horse and how you ride! A Brief History If you haven't read the post [...]
In previous sections, we discussed some of the more popular expressions of classical horsemanship, including riding, work in-hand, the airs above the ground, and mounted martial arts. However, there are a few expressions that do not fit into any of these categories. Obstacles Riding with obstacles is an old piece of training the well-rounded dressage [...]
The first few parts in this series covered more of the common expressions of classical dressage, including riding, work in-hand, and airs above the ground. This last piece focuses on something we don't see often anymore, which is the truly martial art side of dressage. In the past, a major goal in dressage was to [...]
Expressions of Classical Horsemanship Part 3: Airs Above the Ground In part 1 and part 2, we discussed the expressions of regular riding and the work in hand. The third part, the airs above the ground, is probably the most recognizable expression to the public. Most people identify Lipizzans with the [...]
Expressions of Classical Horsemanship, Part 2: Work-In-Hand Last week, we started with a discussion of the riding expression of classical horsemanship. This week, we're discussing the expression of the work in-hand. There are a few styles of work in-hand: the Iberian, the Viennese, Long-Reining, and the Pillars. Each one takes a different [...]
Expressions of Classical Horsemanship, Part 1: Riding Many art forms have different expressions. In classical music, there are different styles and special names for the group sizes and makeup. The same goes for ballet and other arts, including classical horsemanship. Like classical music and ballet, these expressions work with each other, [...]
As the name implies, classical dressage is a very old art form. However, many debate about how it developed since its origins in Ancient Greece, and as we look at more texts with a fresh perspective, our understanding changes. As with much history, it's not quite as clear-cut as we'd think. Origins The earliest surviving [...]
As promised, a short history of the arena letters. After the beginning of the 18th century in the games called "The Skirmish Turns," published in the book by Bruno Joseph de Morla in 1738, we find evidence of the use of letters, in this case in a bullfighting ring, to be able to coordinate exercises [...]
