| Destined to Become Classics
Paul Belasik’s Riding
Towards the Light (1991) is a marvelous book by an experienced,
intelligent and well read trainer. Belasik studied with both
Oliveira and van Schaik, two men whose teachings were at times
diametrically opposed. This forced Belasik to adapt and adjust
his own thinking. Although it is primarily a personal account
of the dilemmas faced in Belasik’s own development as
a rider, Riding Towards the Light provides technical insights
into things like the seat and aids as well as the shoulder-in,
one of the areas where Oliveira and van Schaik differed. This
book offers a well-balanced and insightful perspective on
dressage. Belasik also explores the psychological aspects
of riding and personal development.
Every rider, whether beginner or advanced,
should read this book. It will provide moral support for beginners
who are struggling with technique. It might also open the
minds of riders, especially those who think there is one and
only one classical way to train horses. If you haven’t
read it, please do so soon. Belasik’s second book, Exploring
Dressage Technique (1994), is a masterpiece. This book is
a set of essays on various dressage topics. The essays are
predominately technical, as they discuss the paiffe, passage,
canter pirouettes, lateral work, early training with deep
work, and problems training basic gaits (i.e., walk and trot).
I especially like his discussion of the myth of the outside
rein. He goes a bit further into the psychological aspects
of dressage in this book. I look forward to future books by
this author.
-Dressage & CT |
