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Exploring Dressage Technique

This long-awaited sequel to Riding Towards the Light is an absorbing biomechanical and philosophical treatise on riding and training dressage horses. Using state-of-the-art findings it debunks many commonly held dressage myths; it also explores the artistic heritage and antique techniques of classical riding which have stood the test of time.

Each chapter offer fascinating discussion on a different aspect of riding/training, with many thought provoking ideas for today's riders. Chapters include:

  • A Fog of Walks
  • The Hovering Trot
  • Rockin’ and Rollin’ in the Passage
  • The Piaffe
  • Lateral Work-In Serach of the Mother Lode
  • Deep Work
  • Confucius and the Canter Pirouette
  • Resistance and Ethics
  • The Myth of the Outside Rein
  • Riding as a Mediation

Basing his theories on a study of biomechanics and rare historical
literature, the author begins to point a way through some of the contradictory and confusing tenets that exist in the world of dressage
today. In Exploring Dressage Technique Paul Belasik offers some refreshing new ideas and revives a few forgotten ones. This book will be welcomed by thinking riders everywhere, by those involved in the sport of dressage, and above all, by those who care deeply about horses.

Paul Belasik is a graduate of Cornell University. His articles on horses and horsemanship have appeared in many equestrian publications in the United States. He lives in Pennsylvania, where he runs a small training stable. His first book, Riding Towards the Light, was published by J.A. Allen in 1990; a third book, to complete the trilogy, is planned.
   

"To say that the American dressage rider and author, Paul Belasik, is well read in the art of classical riding would be a slight understatement. This scholar combined his vast knowledge of the great master's theories and his own experiences to explain some of the most common problems the advanced dressage rider comes across..."

"Through his journeys into the art of classical riding, Paul Belasik has based his theories on the study of biometrics and rare historical literature. The author begins to point a way through some of the contradictory and confusing opinions that exist in the world of dressage today."
  - (HORSE AND HOUND, London)   -North of Scotland News
       

"Many readers will be familiar with Paul Belasik’s enchanting and stimulating book, Riding Towards the Light (J.A. Allen 1990)…His second book is equally erudite and a must for every thinking rider… "in a thoughtful passage… Paul Belasik says it all and that is the way more and more of us who follow the classical path strive to teach and train. It is the way of Xenophon, the Greek, who always stressed the improtance of freesom and pride in the horse. It is the way of the great classical riding schools of the world. I believe it is the only way forward if we are fully to eliminate abuse in all aspects of equestrianism…"

-Sylvia Loch, author 'Dressage, the Art of Classical Riding', 'The Royal Horse of Europe', 'The Classical Seat'
(Horse and Rider Magazine)
Published by: J.A. Allen & Co., Ltd.
1 Lower Grosvenor Place
London SW1W0EL, United Kingdom