#1 "NEW YORK TIMES" BESTSELLER
Harry de Leyer first saw the horse he would name Snowman on a truck bound for the slaughterhouse. The recent Dutch immigrant recognized the spark in the eye of the beaten-up nag and bought him for eighty dollars. On Harry's modest farm on Long Island, he ultimately taught Snowman how to fly. Here is the dramatic and inspiring rise to stardom of an unlikely duo. One show at a time, against extraordinary odds and some of the most expensive thoroughbreds alive, the pair climbed to the very top of the sport of show jumping. Their story captured the heart of Cold War-era America--a story of unstoppable hope, inconceivable dreams, and the chance to have it all. They were the longest of all longshots--and their win was the stuff of legend.

"If you buy that horse, you're buying your daughter's death warrant," Jane Pohl's father was warned at the army barracks in the spring of 1941. But the potential that his teenage daughter Jane saw in the small, temperamental Thoroughbred was enough to convince him otherwise. Earlier that year, when Fitzrada arrived at the army base where Jane's family lived, the horse was stubborn, unpredictable, and dangerous. Any man who dared addle him up soon found himself face down in the dirt. Jane, excited to ride any horse and up for the challenge, had the most success with Fitz. She was patient and consistent, and the horse responded well at last, showing a great affinity for jumping. Then, inexplicably, a terrible riding accident resulted in serious injuries for both Jane and Fitz, and the army decide that it was time to destroy the horse. Heartbroken, Jane pleaded with her reluctant father: the only way to save Fitz was to buy him from the army. Jane Pohl's foresight proved to be correct. Jane and Fitz went on to take the Virginia show-jumping circuit by storm, winning 37 jumper and 6 hinter championships. At a time when women were rarely seen in jumping classes at horse shows and were not taken seriously by male competitors, Jane and Fitz helped to break down barriers against women riders competing in the Olympics. In 1946, Jane and Fitz found themselves at the Jumper Championship at the prestigious National Horse Show in Madison Square Garden-the highest jumping title in North America. The road there for horse and rider was a five-year test of faith, patience, and understanding friendship.

Winner of the American Horse Publication's Best Equine Book Award of the Year (2004)
Finalist for the 2005 Ben Franklin Award
Spanning time and technique, THE ART OF THE WESTERN SADDLE is a celebration and visual feast of the graceful artistry of the western saddler and his craft. Filled with detailed photographs and illustrations, this book celebrates the saddle as a decorative hallmark of subtle beauty while fulfilling the utility of its principal purpose. The ability for early man to domesticate and ride the horse created the rapid advancement of man's capability to travel and explore. The saddle-the epitome of form following function-evolved to meet the utilitarian needs of the rider and his tasks, be they work or pleasure.
Illustrated with historic and contemporary examples of saddle style and decoration, THE ART OF THE WESTERN SADDLE highlights the work of makers such as Visalia Stock Saddle Company, Meana, Miles City Saddlery, Porter, Hamley, Edward H. Bohlin, McCabes, and Keyston Bros., along with contemporary makers such as Chas Weldon, Dale Harwood, Chuck Stormes, Don Butler, Chuck Treon, Jeremiah Watt, and many others. Many saddles of the stars are featured from the golden age of the Hollywood Western; these include outfits belonging to the Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Barbara Stanwyck, Ken Maynard, and Buck Jones.
THE ART OF THE WESTERN SADDLE also provides a look at the many exquisite and unpublished examples of the finest in silver and gold overlay and filigree saddle silver created by the West's preeminent metalsmiths. Featuring 300 photographs, this volume is an absolute must for all equestrians, as well as for collectors and admirers of thisunique and totally American craft.

A complete compendium of equestrian terms, The Horseman's Illustrated Dictionary goes beyond simple words and phrases. In addition to providing easy-to-understand definitions of both esoteric and commonly used terms, Steven D. Price delves into their fascinating derivations. You'll learn, for example, that the name of the Percheron draft horse comes from the breed's origins in the La Perche area of Normandy, France; that "bishoping" -doctoring a horse's teeth to show a younger age - refers to an unscrupulous eighteenth-century horse dealer named Bishop; and that the "canter" gait is a shortened version of "Canterbury gallop," purportedly inspired by the pilgrims who rode to Canterbury at that pace. You'll discover that a "coop" does not necessarily hold chickens; find out why an "alligator" might be found in a horse arena; and learn that an "elevator" does not carry passengers but fits in a horse's mouth.
Edifying and entertaining, The Horseman's Illustrated Dictionary is both a useful reference work and a lively, panoramic view of the culture and history of the horse. This beautifully illustrated volume proves that horse people of all interests can learn to speak one another's language. It makes a perfect gift for any horse lover.

Using the same down-to-earth style that has made his eventing clinics so popular, Wofford uses his book to instruct on what to look for when selecting a mount and when choosing the right tack and equipment.

Most how-to-ride manuals assume that the beginner is mounted on a well-trained horse. "Do this, this, and that," other books instruct, "and your horse will respond in such-and-such a way." In the magic world of these manuals, nothing ever goes wrong. But in fact, Steven D. Price points out in the introduction of Essential Riding, "the vast majority of us learn to ride on lesson horses at public stables or on privately owned "backyard" horses . . .. When the beginning rider does "this, this, and that," the horse is just as likely to respond with no more than a yawn . . .. The purpose of this book is to provide a 'real world' perspective for you as a beginning rider." Price introduces us to Fred, the kind of horse most beginners learn to ride on. Fred is a sweet fellow, but a bit bored and stubborn after years of being a lesson horse. You'll learn whether a problem is your fault or the horse's, knowledge that makes all the difference in your equestrian education. Essential Riding begins with a broad introduction to riding fundamentals that apply to all styles of English and Western horsemanship. There's vital information on: finding the right instructor; proper attire; equine behavior as it affects riding; basic rider position; the horse's gaits and how to ask for them; stable and trail safety and etiquette; jumping basics; preparing for horse shows; an overview of the different disciplines; a glossary of horse-related terms; and more. Never has a riding manual contained such commonsensical advice. Aspiring riders of every discipline and of all ages will find everything they need to understand their mounts and more fully enjoy the sport. (6 X 9, 208 pages, b&w photos, diagrams)

Is your horse able to capriole? How can you tell whether he's suffering from thoroughpin? What does it mean if his mane - or your back - is roached?A complete compendium of equestrian terms, The Horseman's Illustrated Dictionary goes beyond simple words and phrases. In addition to providing easy-to-understand definitions of both esoteric and commonly used terms, Steven D. Price delves into their fascinating derivations. You'll learn, for example, that the name of the Percheron draft horse comes from the breed's origins in the La Perche area of Normandy, France; that "bishoping" - doctoring a horse's teeth to show a younger age - refers to an unscrupulous eighteenth-century horse dealer named Bishop; and that the "canter" gait is a shortened version of "Canterbury gallop," purportedly inspired by the pilgrims who rode to Canterbury at that pace. You'll discover that a "coop" does not necessarily contain chickens, find out why an "alligator" might be found in a horse arena, and learn that an "elevator" does not carry passengers but fits in a horse's mouth.Edifying and entertaining, The Horseman's Illustrated Dictionary is both a useful reference work and a lively panoramic view of the culture and history of the horse. This beautifully illustrated volume proves that horse people of all interests can learn to speak one another's language. It's the perfect gift for any horse-lover. (83/4 X 111/4, 248 pages, color photos, b&w photos, diagrams)

This revised and updated version of Reiner Klimke's classic book on cavalletti work now has an extended section on gymnastic jumping by the author's daughter, Ingrid Klimke. First published over 30 years ago, the original information on schooling horses over cavalletti is still valid today but the book also encompasses the changing face and requirements of the modern sport horse. (6 1/2 X 9 1/2, 144 pages, color photos, illustrations, diagrams)

Throughout recorded history, the horse has played many roles in human life. He has been man's comrade-in-arms in war, his servant in work, his teammate in sports, his inspiration in art. With such a tradition, small wonder that there exists a rich literature of horsemanship. The Greatest Horse Stories Every Told gathers the most memorable essays, articles, short fiction, and poetry ever written about the bond between humans and horses. It covers a wide range of equestrian pursuits: in addition to racing and hunting, there are dressage, cutting, draft horses, Western ranch work, show jumping, driving, and several aspects of pleasure riding and of training the horse and rider. Heartwarming, adventurous, profound, and funny, this anthology presents a panoramic view of everything that illuminates our fascination, and captivation, with horses. (6 x 9, 276 pages)

Here at last is a book for a long-neglected group of horse lovers: those riders who, for one reason or another, don't own their own horse and must rely on borrowed or rented mounts. Barbara Burn, a lifelong horsewoman and herself a horseless rider, draws on her own experience as well as that of equitation experts to provide information that riders -- regardless of level -- will want to know. From renting a hack by the hour, to landing a job around stables, to showing other people's horses, she uncovers all the options horseless riders can explore to get themselves into the saddle.

Equestrian competitions at all levels and in all disciplines are on the rise in size and number. So is the need for qualified judges to officiate at these events. More and more people are responding to fill this need, and to help them enter this exciting and important field, Hallie McEvoy, a veteran judge and acclaimed writer, offers this authoritative yet user-friendly introductory guide.Horse Show Judging for Beginners provides all the essential answers to these and other entry-level questions: Have you the background, interest, expertise and temperament to be a horse show judge?How does one get started, and what are the benefits of mock and learner judging?What are the licensing requirements of various breed and discipline organizations?How do you go about getting judging assignments at schooling, recognized, intercollegiate, and other horse shows?What are the basic requirements of judging English and Western disciplines and breeds?How do you create an efficient and effective "bookkeeping" system of symbols to keep track of and score a class?How should you work with other horse show officials and deal with unhappy exhibitors?How do you know when you're ready to advance through the judging ranks?Drawing from the author's own experiences and including lively and instructive hints and anecdotes from other top horse-show officials, Horse Show Judging for Beginners deserves to be the first stop on any prospective judge's way to the English or Western show ring. (6 x 9, 144 pages, b&w photos, charts)Hallie McEvoy is a USA Equestrian (formerly American Horse Show Association)-Licensed Recorded Judge in Hunter and Hunter-Seat Equitation, is the author of the acclaimed Showing for Beginners.Her articles and photographs have appeared in Horse Show/Equestrian Magazine, Horse Sport, L'Annee Hippique, The Horse, Dressage Today, Sidelines, Horseman's Yankee Pedlar, and many other regional and national publications.

Classical Horsemanship for Our time presents the heritage of classical theories of riding in a modern, highly readable format. Jean Froisard, one of the world's masters of horsemanship, takes the reader through the development of a dressage horse, dressage in its truest sense, the training of a riding horse. He begins with the criteria for selection, then describes fully the progress of early training that is basic for any horse, whatever its equestrian discipline. Building systematically upon what has been learned, with constant emphasis on rewards, for even the slightest improvement, over punishment, he then takes the reader through the training progression up to the highest levels of dressage. The emphasis is always on the practical rather than the heavily theoretical, a blessing to those readers who have found themselves "lost" when trying to apply what they have read to their day-to-day riding. (6 x 9, 152 pages, b&w photos, illustrations)Jean Froissard is widely recognized as one of the great masters of horsemanship. He is the author of the classic works A Guide to Basic Dressage, Equitation: Learning and Teaching and Jumping: Learning and Teaching. He and his wife, Lily Powell, edited the encyclopedic work The Horseman's International Book of Reference. They live in Paris.

Dressage as Art in Competition provides a detailed analysis of a training program designed-and proven-to take a horse to the highest level. Throughout, John Winnett stresses the need to treat each horse as an individual, and his valuable insights into the nuances of competition deal not only with the movements themselves but also with how to ride them to optimum effect on horses of differing conformation and temperament. A major theme of the book is the emphasis upon dressage as art, and Winnett stresses that this principle must be remembered amid the diverse pressures of producing horses for competition. Here is a book that translates the beauty of classical equitation for the riders of today. (6 1/4 x 9 1/4, 224 pages, b&w photos, illustrations)

Follow the adventures of Mr. Carteret as he journeys abroad with fellow Americans, proposes marriage and loses, meets old friends and outrages new ones. No matter what he is doing, Mr. Carteret never fails to amuse-even when tweaking the noses of those around him as he tells the story of how Mr. Caswell received his Medal of Honor.

The Ryans of Scarteen have been hunting their distinctive "Black and Tan" hounds for over three hundred years. The author, a universally loved sportsman, was Master and huntsman of this world-famous pack for a half century. In this warmly personal autobiography, he introduces his ancestors -a who's who of Ireland's great families- and recounts his own sporting life.

Foxhunting is in Melvin Poe's blood. As a child, he hunted with hounds owned by his grandfather and father in Rappahannock County, Virginia, and he became the professional huntsman for the Old Dominion Hounds for 16 seasons and the Orange County Hunt for 27 years. He is now, at age 82, in his eleventh year as huntsman for the Bath County Hounds. In 1979, Melvin was featured in the film documentary "Thoughts on Hunting. "Author Peter Winants, a lifelong foxhunter, has been the field master at Bath County since the founding of the hunt in 1992. His book ably captures the essence of one of the most legendary and colorful characters in American foxhunting. In addition to Melvin's upbringing, chapters deal with breeding and training foxhounds, his techniques in finding and hunting foxes and the strategies that have led to immense success through the years at hound shows. The final chapter, "Thanks, Melvin," has testimonials from a number of prominent foxhunters who have enjoyed sport with Melvin, including Benjamin H. Hardaway III, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Senator John W. Warner. Foxhunting With Melvin Poe is must reading for foxhunters and anyone who enjoys the countryside and nature.

Learn your way around all levels of Western competition.

Veteran rider and trainer Charlene Strickland takes you on a fascinating tour of Western contests and society, and teaches you the skills and practices that make Western judges sit up and take notice. From learning the rules to preparing to show to riding in show ring traffic, the author gives you everything you need to know for dressing the part and practicing the patterns.

Trail Riding

Distance

Endurance

Ride & tie

Working Horse

Reining

Working cow horse

Cutting

Time Events

Barrel racing

Pole bending

Stake race

Flag race

Keyhole

Rodeo

Team cattle roping

Calf roping

Steer stopping

Team penning

The Most Fun You Can Have on Horseback!

Improve your equestrian skills and have a great time with your friends using this collection of safe, exciting, and challenging games for horse and rider. Whether you're a beginning, intermediate, or advanced rider, these games will improve your skills of starting and halting, mounting and dismounting, balance, reining, and leading, making you a better and safer rider.

You'll find easy-to-follow, illustrated instructions for more than 50 games that meet the highest safety standards, including:

Group Games

Follow the Leader

Charades

Treasure Hunt

Elimination Games

Simon Says

Ride-a-Buck

Musical Pairs

Races & Relays

Red Light, Green Light

Pony Cart Race

Root Beer Relay

Timed Games

Barrel Race

Pole Bending

Obstacle Course

Distance Games

Ride and Tie

Point-to-Point

Mock Fox Hunt

Mounted Drills

Mounted Team Drill

Pinwheel

Cavalry Drill

Published in 1981 and out of print for more than a dozen years, George H. Morris Teaches Beginners to Ride is an entry-level introduction to hunter-seat riding, from the novice's first lesson up to fundamentals of jumping.George H. Morris, hunter-seat equitation and show jumping's preeminent trainer and commentator, offers advice about a range of relevant subjects, including how to select a riding facility and instructor, correct clothing, ponies versus horses, individual versus group lessons, and student and instructor attitudes toward lessons and learning.At the heart of the book is Morris's noted system of exercises that develop form and control on the flat and over fences, a system that has produced generations of champions from backyard horse shows all the way to the Olympics.As the author suggests, the foundation of success in anything is just that - a strong foundation and solid basics. "I like to say that I teach basics all the way to the Olympics. Without a firm grasp of the essentials of form and function, a rider cannot excel at any level."With a new introduction to this edition and with 137 step-by-step photographs that illustrate Morris's system, this clinic for students, parents, and instructors is required reading for aspiring riders and their trainers.

Participating in a horse show can be a daunting experience. With Showing for Beginners, Hallie McEvoy acts as a friendly and highly informed guide, offering advice that ranges from how to find a suitable horse, trainer, and entry-level competition to appropriate tack and apparel, show-ring etiquette, and winning tactics. She also provides useful information on horse and rider safety, what judges look for, and--above all--how to relax and have fun.
Riders and parents, trainers, and horse-show officials will all benefit from this blue-ribbon book.

In California's Sierra Nevada mountains near Lake Tahoe, riders from all over the world have gathered for fifty years to test their own and their horses' stamina and courage in the Western States Trail Foundation's famous Tevis Cup 100 Miles In One Day Endurance Ride.
The granddaddy of endurance riding, the Tevis Cup is widely considered throughout the equestrian world to be the ultimate test of a horse-and-rider team's fitness and determination. Entrants come from almost every state and many foreign countries, each with his or her own motivation for undertaking the event. Most hope simply to finish within the twenty-four hour time limit (only half of those who start realize their dream - in the motto of the event, "to finish is to win"). A few come in search of victory, because to win the coveted Tevis Cup is one of the highest accomplishments in all of equestrian sport.
The Tevis Cup, the first complete history of this event, features a fascinating cast of characters, among whom are:
Wendell Robie, the founder of the ride. His vision created a competitive trail ride across the Sierras and his enthusiasm and energy made the vision come true; Betty Veal and Dru Barner, whose organizational skills helped turn Robie's dream into a reality; Dr. Richard Barsaleau, the veterinarian who established procedures and standards that ensured the welfare of participating horses; Donna Fitzgerald and Witezarif, the only rider-and-horse team to win the Tevis Cup six times; other notable multiple winners including, Hal Hall, Marcia Smith, and Becky Hart; Gordy Ainsleigh, who finished the route three times: twice on horseback and once on foot - the latter giving rise to the demandingcross-country Western States Run; and Chris Knoch and Matthew Mackay-Smith's thrilling 1995 "Fred By A Head" duel of sportsmanship.
In addition to chronicling the races themselves, author Marnye Langer presents a panoramic view of the history and geology of the region, as well as the fascinating lives of Lloyd Tevis, the nineteenth-century adventurer and entrepreneur for whom the competition is named, and James Ben Ali Haggin, sportsman, businessman, and Tevis's brother-in-law, who lent his name for the prize for the best conditioned horse.
As Langer describes the event, the Tevis Cup is more than a ride; it is a journey. Every rider who completes the ride with a sound, fit horse in the allotted time joins a very special fraternity, an accomplishment that is both of the moment and remembered forever. In that spirit, The Tevis Cup will appeal to anyone who is enthralled by horses, history, and the challenge and beauty of the American outdoors.

A t some point in every rider's life, the notion arises that being an instructor would be a rewarding career, whether it's giving "up-down" lessons to novices at the stable or producing national and even world-class champions. Offering authoritative and realistic advice, addressing such critical issues as: Deciding whether you have the personality, horsemanship, and teaching skills to become an instructor. Finding an entry-level job, including assessing the facility's approach to education and involvement in horse sports. Getting along with the owner/manager and fellow instructors.. Coping with show-ring issues at home and at the competition, and developing a relationship with show management, judges, and other professionals. Deciding to move on, including the pros and cons of opening your own teaching/training facility. Packed with entertaining and informative true-life adventures (including "war stories") from well-known hunter/jumper, Western, dressage, and eventing trainers, this is an invaluable guide.

Drawing on the theories of the old masters of dressage, Lessons in Lightness: The Art of Educating the Horse shows how both horse and rider can greatly benefit from traditional dressage techniques and exercises. Written by a thirty-year veteran horse trainer, this is the only book that takes the core elements of classical dressage and applies them as the basis for good general horsemanship today.
With this step-by-step program, both horse and rider learn from each other. The rider is taught to focus on subtle nuances of communication, while the horse develops gymnastically so he can respond correctly to the aids. Once the horse masters the basic exercises, the rider not only has a very ridable horse but one that can perform and advance in almost any discipline for which it is suited - from dressage and show jumping to Western pleasure and performance riding.
Inside you'll learn:
How to teach the horse to release inner tension
How to develop the horse gymnastically to facilitate relaxation, create flexibility, and build strength
How to enhance the horse's true and natural gaits
How to school the horse in hand and how to ride all the lateral movements
How to build engagement for advanced work
No other single source in the marketplace today provides the level of detail that readers will find in this book.

One of the more frequent challenges faced by equestrians is how to improve their performance. They express frustration that they often possess identical-if not superior-physical attributes to their competitors, yet they're consistently being out-performed by that competition. In many cases, the problem is rooted in self-doubt, which limits their levels of performance.
Using self-hypnosis, and Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), Laura Boynton King teaches the reader how to identify and accept self-doubt. Once this is achieved, she explains how to stop dwelling on past failures and other negative feelings and images through stress-reduction techniques, positive imagery, and concentration-focusing skills.
Whether the rider feels held back by physical fear-for example, riding a livelier horse or jumping a higher fence than usual-or by negative comments from a competitor, trainer, or horse show judge, or by show-ring performance anxiety, The Power To Win will help replace a "losing" mentality with the winning edge.
Illustrated with examples of how the author has helped well-known equestrians, King offers a valuable step-by-step tool for all competitive or recreational riders-or indeed, athletes in any sport-as well as for instructors and parents of riders.
The Power To Win is a leg-up toward a blue-ribbon performance.

Dressage Masters takes the reader into four of the greatest training stables in Europe. The master instructors express their philosophies and practices with regard to training horses and riders, preparing for and taking part in competitions, and the state of dressage in the United States and elsewhere in the world. They also share fascinating and enlightening stories about their own education and the triumphs and hurdles encountered along their paths to success.
The trainers are:
Klaus Balkenhol: Olympic individual bronze and twice team gold medal winner, who coached the German Olympic gold medal team and the USA Olympic bronze medal team; Ernst Hoyos: trained Ulla Salzgeber, winner of Olympic individual silver and bronze and two team gold medals, and Lisa Wilcox, member of the United States Equestrian Team bronze medal squad; Dr. Uwe Schulten-Baumer: trained Nicole Uphoff and Isabell Werth, each the winner of four Olympic gold medals. Isabell Werth also won two individual silver medals. These two riders are tied for the Olympic equestrian record of four gold medals. He also trained his son, Dr. Schulten-Baumer, Jr, winner of the Alternate Olympics individual silver and team gold, as well as an individual silver and team gold at the World Championships; George Theodorescu: trainer of many top international teams and riders, including his daughter Monica, three- time Olympic team gold medalist and twice World Cup champion.
Each interview includes insightful descriptions and sequence photographs of exercises and other teaching and competition techniques.
Already eagerly anticipated by the international dressage community, DRESSAGE MASTERS is destined to become both aninstant and a perennial classic in the literature of classical horsemanship.