40 Fundamentals of English Riding; Essential Lessons in Riding Right

The format is approximately 8.75 inches by 11.25 inches. xi, [1], 179, [1] pages. Foreword by Lendon Gray. Illustrations (most in color). How the Book and DVD Work Together. Cast of Characters, Index. DJ is price-clipped and has some edge wear. Autographed copy sticker on DJ front. 90-minute DVD sticker on DJ front. DVD is present in rear pocket. Signed by the author on the title page. Learn correct seat, leg, and hand positions; 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; and much more. Each fundamental is defined and explained, with plenty of tips on proper technique and an emphasis on how to avoid common errors. The book comes with a 90-minute DVD showing action sequences for each fundamental. Includes chapters on Learning Control, Riding Position, The Riding Aids, Working on Gaits, The Training Scale, Key Riding Techniques, School Figures, Lateral Work and The Destination: intuitive Riding. Hollie McNeil is the owner and head trainer at Riding Right Farm in South Cambridge, New York. The facility provides more than 3000 riding lessons each year, plus numerous shows, clinics and events. Hollie teaches clinics on her own farm and elsewhere, and writes on riding for WRGB-TV, in Albany-Schnectady-Troy, NY. Hollie holds a German Trainer's License, and an International Trainers Passport, recognized by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI). She has been awarded Large and Small Bronze Performance Medals in Dressage and Jumping from the German Federation (FN). English riding is a form of horse riding seen throughout the world. There are many variations, but all feature a flat English saddle without the deep seat, high cantle or saddle horn that are part of a Western saddle nor the knee pads seen on an Australian Stock Saddle. Saddles within the various English disciplines are all designed to allow the horse the freedom to move in the optimal manner for a given task, ranging from classical dressage to horse racing. English bridles also vary in style based on discipline, but most feature some type of cavesson noseband as well as closed reins, buckled together at the ends, that prevents them from dropping on the ground if a rider becomes unseated. Clothing for riders in competition is usually based on traditional needs from which a specific style of riding developed, but most standards require, as a minimum, boots; breeches or jodhpurs; a shirt with some form of tie or stock; a hat, cap, or equestrian helmet; and a jacket. English riding is an equestrian discipline with many different styles; however, at the most basic level, most versions require riders to use both hands on the reins, rather than just one hand, as is often seen in western riding. Riders generally "post" or "rise" to the trot (rising and sitting in rhythm with each stride). The "posting trot" is used most often in a working or extended trot, although there are also times when English riders may sit the trot; the "sitting trot" is most often used to ride collected forms of the trot seen in dressage, show hack and hunt seat equitation competition. …