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Pathfinder Dressage |
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Reviews |
Virtually Horses |
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I have
to admit that I was taken by the marketing blurb of this book when I
purchased it. I thought that it would contain many pictures and much
discussion comparing top dressage riders such as Anky van Grunsven, Reiner
Klimke and Arthur Kottas. Having been involved in several web forum
discussions on the merits of various training methods and been
intrigued by the depth of feeling that some people had on one trainer
versus another I thought this would provide me with a wide view on
dressage training around the world. Indeed, even the front cover of
the book continues this theme by listing many names of prominent riders
and trainers.
However, on first flick through the book I began to wonder if I had been duped. Many names that were prominently listed didn't seem to figure in the text or photos. I found only one page at the very back which showed many of the modern superstars of dressage. But do not fear, as I began my second more sedate browse through I began to understand the layout and underlying purpose of the book and was pleasantly surprised that the depth of the text in each chapter provided even greater insight into the various topics than I could have hoped for. |
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| Other Reviews | |||
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The
book's title is both accurate and misleading, for although it does look at
the 'World's Top Trainers', this should not necessarily be taken as
meaning an individual. The inference at first being that this book
may give a behind-the-scenes type peek at some of the top trainers stables
and programmes. What you get instead is a book which looks at the
major influences on or flavours of dressage; Classical, German, Dutch and
Spanish. In order to do this, each region is represented by
one or two major trainers, supported by examining many other successful
trainers and riders, there is a discussion of principles and practical
examples of the principles are provided in 'Lessons' about various gaits
and movements. |
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| For Example, in the
Chapter entitled 'The German Way' we are introduced to German Trainer
Ferdi Eilberg and the chapter begins with an introduction to the German
scales of training. With each brief decription of the scales,
Eilberg also provides insights into his personal training methods, the
problems that can be encountered and a range of solutions used. In
the section on Straightness he decribes the tools for straightening
such as 'inside leg to outside rein', what this means, how it is applied.
Toward the middle of the chapter he begins to discuss specific movements
such as canter pirouettes and half-pass and by the end we are presented
with some more general principles, training tips and Ferdi's profile and
riding highlights. |
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"Break
Monotony. I like to give all my dressage horses a break from just
dressage, avoid monotony and because I have show jumped in competitions
and enjoy it, I jump all my youngsters and also some of the advanced
horses. All horses are hacked down a quiet lane, often to loosen up
or cool down. It does not matter what stage of training they are at,
varying the work keeps them using themselves in a different way. It
opens up their minds to something more than just going around in circles." |
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| In the chapter on 'The Dutch Way' we are presented with two Lessons, one from Bert Rutten who describes his principles as "Modern Classical" and the second from British rider and trainer Jane Bredin, who passes on her working knowledge of Sjef Janssen's methods. I found this lesson particularly interesting as there is much discussion and argument in many circles surrounding the Dutch trainers' use of 'round and deep' and Jane spends some time explaining each of the basic training ideas. | |||
| "As explained, this form of submission asks the horse to come round because it supples and stretches the muscles over his topline, at the same time as training him to follow the hand. I do not ride all horses this deep all the time. Each horse is an individual and I tailor the training to match his needs...This submission differs from many continental training methods. Many favour 'long and low'. ...However, with round and deep submission the horse can do the movements because the roundness comes from the horse being 'up and in' rather than long and low...."
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| In
addition to insights into the different training methodologies and ideas,
the book also looks at a number of related topics; lungeing, Work In-hand,
the mental approach to dressage and the competitive world and finally a
chapter almost entirely devoted to a debate on what exactly the 'triangle
of the seat' is .
This last is an interesting chapter indeed, as it looks at how this basic concept, which is discussed in every book on riding, cannot be agreed upon amongst top riders and trainers. Although it is also in this chapter that one of the few dissapointments with this book occurs. An entire page is devoted to drawings to support Charles Harris' discussion on the use of the seat and correct riding position, but I am still to decipher what the little squiggles and lines in the rider drawing are supposed to indicate to me. As well as the differences there are many examples where the similarities and common bonds between trainers are highlighted. In particular the welfare of the horse is paramount, no matter which school of training is prescribed. "There is a tendency for modern riders to own one or two horses and to want ot do dressage, but the faact that a horse may find dressage immeasurably difficult does not seem to be an issue! They become obsessed - they want to teach the horse so much that they sometimes even hit him to make him perform, despite the fact that he is totally unsuited to the job and in the end there is no horse left." All in all I would highly recommend this book for your collection if you are serious about dressage or even if you are starting out and taking an interest in the theory. This book does a wonderful job of explaining why different regions or trainers have adopted different styles and methods to suit the physical and mental characteristics of the horses they deal with and how they all stem from the same basic principles. |
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