This is a frank and encouraging guide aimed at everyone who knows their horse could be better. Key requirements of a perfect riding horse are identified and then explored in depth with a detailed breakdown of how to train each element. The perfect horse requires the perfect rider, and simple yet effective ways to become the rider your perfect horse deserves are discussed so you can train both yourself and your horse. This book takes the reader all the way from choosing the right horse through mastering the basics, lateral work and introducing jumping, all presented in a contemporary 'magazine-style' format. It also provides 'inside' knowledge and essential ingredients with clear step-by-step photography and text to help readers create their perfect riding horse for any discipline or level of ability.

Riding in perfect balance with the lightest application of aids is something most riders strive to achieve. But without the help of an instructor by your side at all times, it is easy for bad habits to develop unnoticed. With over 100 photographs showing common riding faults - such as tipping forward, weak lower leg position, heavy hands and incorrect application of the aids - this is an outstanding guide for anyone aiming for grace, balance and accuracy in their riding. Each of the 100 features includes a technique to work on and advice on what might go wrong and how to put it right. Focus is also given to the right mental approach, rounding off this complete riding problem solver. Classical riding instructor Susan McBane offers simple yet effective advice on how to identify and remedy 100 of the most common riding problems, with a straightforward and accessible approach to horses. Designed in easy-to-reference sections, 100 Ways to Improve Your Riding is the ultimate equestrian problem solver, helping you to get the most out of your ability and your horse. 'The instruction given in the book is ... based on sound classical principles ... a good buy for just about any rider and riding teacher.' The Classical Riding Club

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.

Riding: A Guide for New Riders succinctly imparts the basics of good horsemanship and the essentials for riders of all ages. Featuring over fifty illustrations, with quizzes after every chapter, Riding is the best guide available for learning to ride with confidence, safety, and good form. It teaches clearly, patiently, and firmly, just as the best instructor would. (7 X 91/4, 192 pages, illustrations, diagrams)

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.

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.

Trudy Nicholson takes us on a journey into the world of the horse. Her photographic images capture the essence, body language, and social interaction of this often misunderstood species, while the text explores the interaction between horse and human.
Looking at the world from the horse's perspective and understanding its natural instincts and language provides a way of working with the horse that is both harmonious and productive. Whatever end result you wish to achieve with your horse-whether it be showjumping, dressage, western riding, or simply pleasure and companionship-this psychological approach will ensure a rewarding and lifelong relationship with your horse.

As the official cartoon mascot of the American Quarter Horse Association, the equine narrator "Two Bits' takes children and parents on an educational ride through everything a beginner needs to learn about the American Quarter Horse. With his engaging whinny he teaches the names of each part of the horse, what a horse eats and wears, and the telltale expressions that indicate what a horse is thinking or feeling. Two Bits also tells about the history of the horse, from prehistoric times to the colonial days to the present, as well as practical considerations of buying and maintaining a horse, such as responsibility, grooming, and, of course, riding!With its entertaining line drawings, photographs, and helpful glossary, The Kids' Book of the American Quarter Horse is an easy-to-read guide for ages eight and up. This enjoyable introduction to America's favorite horse is a must for young horse lovers and their parents. (7 X 9 1/4, 200 pages, color photos, b&w photos, illustrations)

Participating in a first horse show can be a daunting experience. From how to register to the mystery of what judges look for, there is so much to learn and - until now - no one book to go to for answers. With Showing for Beginners, judge Hallie McEvoy acts as a friendly and highly informed guide for the beginning hunter seat rider. She explains the requirements and customs for both horse and rider, show-ring etiquette, showing lingo - all the while debunking myths and offering sound advice on safety, finding the right trainer, and even buying a show horse. And, most important, she stresses the value of relaxing and having fun. (6 X 9, 176 pages, b&w photos, illustrations)

In easy-to-follow steps, this book takes first-time and novice riders through the requisite paces from the simplest notions to the more sophisticated concepts of equine psychology and communication.

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.