Product Description

Drawing on centuries of European practice, The Elements of Dressage will help any reader perfect the union between horse and rider. Dressage has been around since the time of the ancient Greeks, but reached its heights in Europe, and particularly in Germany. The German approach is now the preferred method in most countries, and the author has been teaching it for more than fifty years. There are ten principal elements in the German method, and they include: relaxation, regularity, freedom, contact, straightness, and Durchlassigkeit. Both beginning and advanced trainers and riders will learn why the ten elements exist, how to develop them in a horse, and even when not to use them. Starting with the basics, and moving on towards the most subtle aspects, The Elements of Dressage is the complete guide to the art of training and riding a horse. (7 x 9 3/4, 128 pages, diagrams)

Kurd Albrecht von Ziegner has operated an internationally renowned riding school in Mechtersen, Germany, south of Hamburg, since 1971. Trained as an officer in the cavalry school in Hannover, he became a leading NATO officer in the 1950s and took over, among other things, the construction of the Turkish cavalry school in Ankara. He is also one of the most prominent and successful dressage trainers in the United States, where he developed a new judging system, the Prix St. James. Winner of the German Rider Cross in Gold, the author shares insights from more than fifty years of training. He is also the author of many articles and books, including The Basics: A Guideline for Successful Training.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45055 in Books
• Published on: 2002-12-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 128 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781585747351
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review

From the Back Cover
Drawing on centuries of European practice, The Elements of Dressage will help any reader perfect the union between horse and rider. Dressage has been around since the time of the ancient Greeks, but reached its heights in Europe, and particularly in Germany. The German approach is now the preferred method in most countries, and the author has been teaching it for more than fifty years. There are ten principal elements in the German method, and they include: relaxation, regularity, freedom, contact, straightness, and Durchlassigkeit. Both beginning and advanced trainers and riders will learn why the ten elements exist, how to develop them in a horse, and even when not to use them. Starting with the basics, and moving on towards the most subtle aspects, The Elements of Dressage is the complete guide to the art of training and riding a horse. (7 x 9 3/4, 128 pages, diagrams) Kurd Albrecht von Ziegner has operated an internationally renowned riding school in Mechtersen, Germany, south of Hamburg, since 1971. Trained as an officer in the cavalry school in Hannover, he became a leading NATO officer in the 1950s and took over, among other things, the construction of the Turkish cavalry school in Ankara. He is also one of the most prominent and successful dressage trainers in the United States, where he developed a new judging system, the Prix St. James. Winner of the German Rider Cross in Gold, the author shares insights from more than fifty years of training. He is also the author of many articles and books, including The Basics: A Guideline for Successful Training.

Customer Reviews

You should read the Master's book
Col. v. Ziegner is so personally modest that few may appreciate the role he played in developing the classic German Scales of Training following WWII. The Elements of Dressage shows an uncommon perspective and wisdom that can only spring from a lifetime of advocating for the horse. After riding 1000 horses, v. Ziegner has given us a clear plan of training for the young horse that updates traditional principles and makes them more accessible. The scales of training are expanded and slightly reordered to help riders achieve a more reliable result and to preserve the charm and health of the horse. Each element or characteristic that needs to be developed has its own section, with useful "how-to" exercises and diagrams. This book will help you, whether you are starting a young horse or perfecting an FEI horse, whether you are a dressage "newbie", a jumper rider, or an experienced trainer.

A delight and enlightening for any dressagerider
This is without a doubt the best dressagebook I have ever read. It is very well written pedagic and the total design of the book is fantastic. This book is not as pricy as a lot of others containing lots of beautiful photo, but it will give you so much more. Everything comes clear, my trainer was a bit surprised to see my ridning change so drastic after reading this book. I have a lot of dressage books but none makes sense as this one.

A book for every horse rider
Although this book is entitled "The Elements of Dressage" Col. von Ziegner really presents the elements of basic training of any horse! His version of the training scale is much easier to understand and follow than the German approved version (even though he helped develop the German version, he told me that many years of training has made him develop this newer scale). As a result of reading this book I went and rode with him in Germany ... an amazing experience seeing what I had read in his book being put into practice. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to ride dressage or to school a horse calmly and logically. In comparison to other dressage books I found this one a bit easier to understand and to apply to my riding.