An integral part of competing in equestrian sports is having to face the performance anxiety that presents itself at competitions. In this work, author Daniel Stewart explains that the pressure, stress, nerves, distraction, and anxiety come hand in hand with doing what we love to do. It also reminds us that competing in equestrian events is a real sport, and riders are forced to deal with the competitive nature of showing. Stewart explains that, while riders love to do what they do, this love is sometimes lost in the panic of showing and performing. Stewart then walks the rider through specific tools and tricks to manage and overcome the stress, fear, and anxiety, and shows how to embrace and enjoy every minute of performing with your equine partner. From 'Plan the Ride, and Ride the Plan', to overall mental training, this must-have book is a fantastic tool for any competitor to overcome their show jitters and do their best at every competition, while feeling confident and happy throughout the experience.

What does the horse feel when a rider is crooked in the saddle? What is it like to go faster or slower, to round curves and travel straight, with an unbalanced load to carry? What goes through the horse's mind when he is over-flexed and over-aided...when he is forced into biomechanically unsound positions? What happens when a prey animal (the horse) must learn to defeat his own preservation instinct and perform on cue with a predator (humankind) clinging to his back? In this important book, Dr. Ulrike Thiel-a clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, sport psychologist, dressage rider, riding instructor, judge, and Xenophon Society classical trainer-examines these important questions, and others. With the use of exercises and astute comparisons, Thiel gives readers an eye-opening tour of the realm of the ridden dressage horse, ensuring we all work to make the job of "being ridden" part of a mutual pursuit-a dance involving two engaged and caring partners, a friendship binding mind and body.

Eventing Explained is a unique, all-around view of how to start eventing for riders of all ages wanting to compete in their first affiliated horse trials. As well as being packed with top tips and exercises for riders in all three phases, it is also an ideal aid for parents or other halves of would-be event riders whose weekends will never the same again once they hit the eventing circuit A who's who section includes, amongst others, the responsibilities of the course designer, builder, secretary, regional coordinator and organizer in running a horse trials, and how their roles are relevant to a competitor. As well as information on getting your horse fit, there are also sections on rider fitness and sport psychology to prepare for the event and to do your best on the day. Color-coded so you can pick out relevant sections at a glance, Eventing Explained is the must-have guide for riders wanting to compete at BE80, BE90 and BE100 levels (formerly Training, Introductory and Pre-Novice levels).

In this new book, Susanne von Dietze, author of the bestselling book and DVD Balance in Movement, explains how to dynamically stabilize your back so you can ride with "feel" and in tune with riding's demands on your body, and your horse's, at all times. "Back-friendly" riding - the key to achieving harmony with your horse - is: Correct Effortless Sensitive Effective This new book includes exercises to improve: Flexibility Dexterity Mobility Stability With meticulously thorough explanations of body awareness, perception, and applicable aspects of physical fitness, von Dietze's program helps you train without overstraining so you can ride better, longer, while at the same time improving transitions, half-halts, sitting trot, straightness, and collection.

Spending days or months correcting bad riding habits or positioning faults in the saddle is not a logical choice in today's fast-paced society, and this timely training manual provides a quick fix for 50 common mistakes. With step-by-step instructions and scores of colour photos, this book describes simple solutions for riding problems that can be completed in 5 minutes or less. Whether troubleshooting, adding polish, or addressing specific issues - e.g. unsteady hands, crookedness, weak seat at the canter, unstable two-point position - comprehensive fixes are presented based on sound bodywork principles from Sally Swift's Centered Riding and Feldenkrais techniques.

Dressage training has changed little over the centuries and the principles laid down by the Riding Masters are as pertinent now as they have ever been. Understanding Dressage Training provides essential reading to those wanting to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of successful training. Everything you do on top of your horse, and how you do it is considered 'training' because you are forming habits for both the horse and yourself. For a balanced partnership between horse and rider it is important that it is fully understood what it is that you are aiming to achieve and exactly how you go about achieving it.

If you want to progress up from novice and need some help with the more advanced novice and elementary movements you will find this book really helpful. Kottas looks at each of the horses paces and gives a clear guide to what is required and most importantly how to achieve this. There are some excellent illustrations which clearly show everything from the rider's aids to the flexion required from the horse. The book also includes some stunning photographs which again are very easy to understand. There are also sections on lateral movements, changes of lead and piaffe and passage for those with greater ambitions.

Are your dressage scores as high as you expect them to be? Are you good at riding, but not so good at competing? This book offers coaching on all aspects of preparing for and riding in dressage tests up to Medium level. There are instructions on how to ride all the test movements correctly, along with advice on the practical matters of choosing when and where to compete, learning and practising tests, having your horse and all your equipment organised, and then having a clear routine to follow once you arrive at the show. Best of all, the author explains how to master the art of competing, including presenting your horse in such a way that any training issues are not obvious to the eye - especially that of the judge.

This is the definitive book on grooming your horse to catch the judge's eye. It features over 400 detailed drawings illustrating every aspect of grooming. Completely updated, it details current practices and requirements and covers conditioning, daily care, tools and supplies, and grooming for shows. New chapters discuss blanketing, newly popular breeds, and the latest show ring clothing styles. A must-have reference, it covers all disciplines and includes trimming styles by type and event as well as by breed.

This is a one-stop guide to training aids which outlines when they are useful and why they are an aid to training, not a substitute for it. Sound advice is offered on using training aids safely and their functions, pros and cons, and the aids discussed include martingales, the Market Harborough, the Chambon, elastic schooling reins, the de Gogue, draw reins, the Pessoa and Feeline systems, and more. The author also addresses training aids for riders. This handy book is an indispensable training aid in itself! * A concise guide to the training aids on the market, their uses and their pros and cons * From the traditional martingale to the most recent innovations, this handy book gives all the essential information on the subject * Clear, informative photographs illustrate throughout

For centuries, the riders from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria, have been revered around the world for their exemplary seats and impeccable equitation. Lungeing the rider is the School's tried and true method of teaching students to attain an independent seat, and they are lunged for at least six months before being allowed to take up the reins.Why is this method so consistently successful? Being lunged temporarily relieves the rider of complex and often confusing tasks, such as managing the horse's speed, direction, balance, and alignment. It reduces the very long list of riding responsibilities, enabling the rider to become organized, learn to juggle an increasing number of mounted tasks, and concentrate on his or her own balance and self-control.This step-by-step guide to both lungeing others and being lunged unveils the secrets behind the most beautiful - and functional - riding in the world. By combining traditional mounted exercises with yoga, conscious breath work, and hands-on bodywork, Linda Benedik's unique rider-lungeing programme helps the rider create a personal balance that leads to a deeper connection with the horse while at the same time developing a stable, correct, elegant and independent seat - every rider's goal.

The London 2012 Olympic medalist on his stunning comeback. Mark Todd's eventing career is the stuff of legends and encompasses one of the greatest sporting comebacks of all time. When he 'retired' from competing in eventing in 2000, he had already been named 'Rider of the Century' for his natural empathy with a horse and his extraordinary success, which included back-to-back Olympic gold medals, five Burghley wins and three Badminton victories. He has also show jumped to Olympic level and trained winners on the racecourse. Considered a legendary horseman by his peers, he seemed to have done it all. He returned to train racehorses in his native New Zealand but, eight years later, the idea of a comeback took root, part dare, part personal challenge to see if he could still cut it in a changed sport. Within eight months, he was riding at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and in 2011 he hit the headlines by becoming the oldest rider to win Badminton. This was soon eclipsed by his stunning win at the London 2012 Olympics, however. The story of his progress from dairy farmer to world renown, is told with typically laid-back humour, but it reveals the fierce determination, discipline and personal sacrifice which lies behind the relaxed outlook.

For master trainer Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling, work with horses is comparable to dancing. The primary obligation of riding, he explains, is to maintain the horse's powerful and elegant movement under saddle. Improper training compromises the horse's naturally joyful steps with confusing commands; a horse moves with extraordinary grace only if the request is effectively communicated. In this demonstration, Hempfling teaches us the language of horses. Advising that even the slightest movement conveys powerful information, Hempfling shoes how to use body language to communicate. In this 50 miute DVD he demonstrates his methods on wild Pyrenees stallions that are, within minutes, transformed into tame, willing partners - nevertheless retaining all their spirit. As Hempfling insists, when the trainer uses language the horse can understand, the horse's movement 'will always be beautiful, from the first lesson on'.

With a rugged yet romantic mystique, western riding is as American as the Old West, Roy Rogers, and John Wayne. Whether you're more at home on the range, exploring the trails, or competing in the show arena, The Classic Western Rider will help you hone your skills. From America's proud cowboy heritage to today's training methods and competitive events, it covers: "Make or break" information about equipment, especially the saddle A guide to training--cowboy style The subtle skill sets of winning western horsemanship, including six common rider faults and how to fix them Nurturing a partnership with your horse The ins and outs of western competitive sports and events such as reining, western speed contests, and team penning

With photos and drawings and advice from industry professionals Bret Brokcte, Nancy Cahill, Suzi Drnec, Linda Huck, and Linda Morse, this primer is ideal for the new riding enthusiast or the more experienced western rider who wants to fine-tune his or her skills. Happy trails to you!

When Victoria meets Moonshine, an ex-racehorse saved from the slaughterhouse and abuse, she despairs at having to ride such a difficult horse. The pair compete in dressage, a sport that tests the unity of horse and rider as they engage in what can only be called dancing. They compete against horses bred solely for the sport, always struggling to overcome the bias against horses like Moony. As she grows and comes of age, Victoria teaches Moonshine to trust, and Moony teaches Victoria the importance of heart and perseverance. Together, they master many trials and compete in the Junior Nationals in this inspiring and compelling true story of how a girl and her horse changed each other's lives forever.

As an instructor it takes time to develop a repertoire of exercises to suit all ages and abilities. This book has the answer: it provides a wide range of ideas for lesson plans, with notes on how these can be adapted and developed for different levels of recreational rider, from beginner to advanced, whether children or adults.The lesson plans are organised into teaching subjects to allow instructors to go straight to a chosen topic and find exercises to suit riders of different abilities, along with teaching tips for a professional delivery.

The definitive guide to dressage--the art, science, and secrets of graceful horsemanship for riders who want to exude natural elegance in the saddle

Dressage has been described as "a beautiful ballet on horseback." It embodies an innate grace, a seemingly effortless flow, and an easy harmony between horse and rider.

Dressage elevates riding from a sport to an art form. One of the fastest growing equestrian sports in America, it appeals to competitive riders as well as those who simply want to improve their mounts and their skills. Because the principles of dressage encompass the art and science of horsemanship and every aspect of the horse-rider relationship, dressage training enhances other equestrian disciplines. The exercises and patterns help improve the horse's overall balance and athleticism and make the mount more responsive. Ideal for beginning enthusiasts or people who simply want to appreciate the elegance and finesse of classical riding, Deciphering Dressage unlocks the secrets of classical, precision riding. It covers: Choosing and caring for a suitable dressage horse Buying tack and riding apparel Sitting the horse correctly and using aids or subtle signals to cue the horse Preparing for competitions Riding a dressage test Competition and scoring Recognized shows, schooling shows, ride-a-tests, and eventing

Complete with over fifty photographs and drawings, as well as step-by-step explanations of exercises and maneuvers, this guide helps riders master the basics of this exceptionally demanding and rewarding discipline.

Listen to and communicate with your horse–successfully

"This is a book for everyone who has ever looked at the constantly increasing list of methods and systems marketed as ‘horsemanship’ and wondered which of the many possible approaches would be most suitable for a particular behavior problem. Gincy Bucklin has distilled her many years of experience with horses and riders into a very useful, step-by-step, hands-on book. Bucklin’s writing is smooth and easy to read, and no matter where you open this book, you’ll find that her deep respect and affection for both equines and humans shines through."
–Dr. Jessica Jahiel, author of Riding for the Rest of Us

"Gincy Bucklin uses her decades-long experience with horses to answer that most frequently asked question: ‘Why did my horse do that?’ And she comes up with creative solutions that weave together traditional horse handling with the best of modern horse training, including my own personal favorite, clicker training."
–Alexandra Kurland, author of Clicker Training for Your Horse and The Click That Teaches video lesson series

It takes time for a horse to learn everything we want him to know. If we don’t make our intentions clear to him in ways that he can understand, or if we don’t listen to what he wants, problems may result. Featuring easy-to-follow, step-by-step advice, What Your Horse Wants You to Know reveals how to communicate effectively with your horse to create an atmosphere of mutual cooperation.

What Your Horse Wants You to Know focuses on improving your horse’s behavior on the ground, so you can develop relationship and communications skills without the more challenging problems that arise once you’re on his back.

• Use your entire body to communicate with your horse
• Show your horse that you respect his needs and feelings
• Be patient and consistent with your horse while having fun
• Understand your horse’s fears and overcome them
• Respond appropriately to physiological or nutritional problems
• Use praise to make your horse feel confident and successful

Training Strategies for Dressage Riders is a unique guide to the art and technique of dressage, written by one of the most renowned equestrian trainers in the world today. It offers a complete training system for both horse and rider, paying special attention to how a rider’s actions can influence a mount. The book provides practical, in-the-saddle advice on a wide range of dressage topics, including:

• The art of classical equitation
• The development of the rider’s seat and aids
• Developing the basic gaits
• Gymnastic improvement
• Horse insubordination
• Clinics and competitions judging

Whether you want to prepare for dressage competition or simply improve your riding skills, this is a matchless guide.

Master the 40 basic elements essential to all riders in the classic disciplines of dressage, jumping, and eventing with this book and 90-minute DVD showing action sequences for each fundamental. These fundamentals include correct seat, leg, and hand positions for the rider; the three basic gaits of walk, trot, and canter; how to perform halt and half-halt; how to direct a horse's movement correctly and energetically; the stages of the training scale (rhythm, looseness, contact, impulsion, straightness, and collection); and how to perform basic schooling figures in the arena, from circles and serpentines to diagonals. Each fundamental is defined and explained in text and photos throughout the book, as well as in the 90-minute DVD, with an emphasis on how to avoid common errors. The DVD won a Telly Award for excellence in video production.

Learning to ride should be fun, progressive and constructive, but all too often children can be frightened or put off. Teaching them is not easy. This book offers advice, exercises, lesson plans, games and teaching tips designed to provide variety and sound instruction, plus a range of innovative ideas for making learning to ride an enjoyable, worthwhile and satisfying experience, even for the very young.

Riding a Dressage Test demystifies the requirements for dressage competition at preliminary, novice and elementary levels. The international dressage judge, David Trott, explains in an easy-to-understand way exactly what the judge expects to see in the different movements of the tests. In addition, an example of each test movement is given, with comprehensive guidelines for riding the movements correctly. This book, together with its stable companion, Preparing for a Dressage Test, is essential reading for both trainers and riders and will help competitors to maximize their test-riding potential.

NLP is the science of excellence. In this important book, List 3 Dressage Judge and NLP Master Practitioner Wendy Jago shows riders for the first time how NLP tools can help: improve rapport between rider and horse; ensure that the horse is really getting the message the rider intends; improve riders' body positioning and clarify their muscular 'language'; transform their problems into recipes for success; and become relaxed and confident - even in competition. NLP explains the essentials of great communication - and great riding is great communication. There is clear and practical help here for every rider and every horse, whatever their level or goals. Illustrated by photographs, line drawings, practical exercises and case studies, this book will show you how to create the solutions to your own individual problems.

These workbooks have been prepared by a BHS examiner as revision aids for students who are about to take their BHS stages one and two examinations. Working through the syllabus for both examinations typical questions are asked by means of text, line illustrations and photographs on all relevant subjects. There is space for the student to write down the answers and the correct answers are given at the end of the book. Each book includes a chapter of dos and don'ts and sound advice on dress and examination technique. These books are designed as companions for "The Course Companion to BHS Stage One", and "The Course Companion for BHS Stage Two" and the audiotape revision aids to both examinations, all by Maxine Cave and published by J.A. Allen.

"The Course Companion" covers the Horse Knowledge and Care elements of the BHS Stage I examination. Within each chapter are suggestions for practical follow-up work and helpful hints on examination technique. The book is an invaluable study and revision aid, which no examination candidate will want to be without. The subject matter will be equally helpful to anyone involved with the care and management of horses whether in a private or professional capacity.