During the teaching of my lessons here , since I approach this as an academic adventure I give my students a list of required reading .I have chosen these books as the best representation of the school I follow and the way I teach and ride . No matter what school you are talking about not all of the authors will agree on every point from book to book. However it is in the similarities , the common thread the touches them all that the students can began to see the way , when it is backed up with the proper instruction that follows those principles . My Book Review now will start with a Brand New book (as far as being available in English is concerned ) Entitled "TWISTED TRUTHS OF MODERN DRESSAGE " A search for a classical alternative By Philippe Karl . ,Released by Trafalgar Square. First I want to say I congratulate the Author on a very concise and accurate message in the title of this book . Competitive Dressage needs a clean sweep and this book aptly shows many of the contradictions that has resulted in the abominations seen all over the world , even in the highest levels . Next I want to congratulate the Author for selecting a good representation of his work for the cover of the book . In the past I have been horrified at what some famous trainers and teachers allow to be shown on the cover of their books as an example of what they are about . String Tight reins , horses mouths clamped shut (even while you can see they are desperately trying to open it to escape the horrible pressure ) . and ugly artificially jammed down heels are among the worst I have seen . The gist of this book , as you can imagine by the title is to show how far away from the desired goals , and the so called Heritage to Gueriniere , the great classical Master Dressage claims to emulate, they have come . Before I get in to more of the meat of the book I have two complaints . 1. I have the French edition . In that edition their are some beautiful full page shots of Mr. Karl when he rode at Saumur , the French school. These were full page shots that dramatically showed correct everything . All of these were mysteriously removed from the English Edition and everyone should demand they be put back . 2. I think this book would have been greatly served if Philippe Karl did not come out swinging straight away . It is sort of like going to see a prize fight and before you get your drink and snacks , or even hear the introduction of the fighters and all the little things that make the anticipation just as good as the fight , two guys are blazing away in the center of the ring . I found my myself trying to catch my breath as the war was on in a flash . An outline of what the purpose of the book was , the way it would be addressed and what was hoped to be explained PRIOR to the blood shed , would set the reader up much better in my opinion. . Once you catch your breath and figure out the plot and how the reader is being introduced to the problem in the Modern Dressage book , what they say as compared to what really occurs and then the solution you can began breathing easier and learning things , and or reinforcing what you already know perhaps (always a good thing ) . What this book does that most do not dare address , is actually showing how the wording and training regime of Competitive Dressage is not doing what it claims , and is detrimental to the horse .actually in many cases getting the opposite of the desired result. The best part is when he takes the dressage Manuel wording that claims to come from Gueriniere , and then directly beside it he quoted from Gueriniere , and the Book on The School of Horsemanship , which in most cases is the complete opposite !!!. This book helps to start to restore what should be the most desired qualities of the horse with the emphasis on Relaxation (especially of the lower Jaw ) , Balance , lightness of the hand and leg .leading to Flexibility (which is rhythm ) , mobility and collection CENTERED AROUND THE RESPECT FOR THE HORSE . I put that in bold print as it is the most important aspect to me and in Mr. Karl's diagram it also was placed in the central position and in the most highlighted area . Many things are discussed in this book that are not often taught the correct way and always bring a look of confusion when I am trying to retrain a Competitively Trained Dressage rider . . Where does the weight really go , when is the lateral work started ?? a great section that correctly describes why the Mantra, bend the horse around the inside leg and outside leg back on the circle are indeed completely meaningless unless the horse already knows the lesson of the shoulder in and the traverse . .So , do I recommend this book , YES I do . As in all books I can not agree with every single thing written , but those are minor issues really. I will caution the new rider this book is quite technical and complex in portions . It is not the first book I would recommend a new rider to read on my list , but on my list it goes for sure !!!!! Their are some nice drawings on the bio mechanics of the horse I understand where drawn by the Author and mostly serve the purpose quite well . I suggest all classical riders acquire this book and read it gradually . The Author has a diagram he calls the School of Legerete and that progression which I briefly outlined is the way trainers and riders should proceed in their work . Call Trafalgar today and buy the book if you want to see the real truth about what we have done to our horse in the name of Competitive Dressage , if you are tired of the pull push over bent world you may have thought was correct . Then come and ride here so you can live what you have read .
