About the Author
The late Reiner Klimke was one of the world’s most successful riders, winner of six Olympic Gold Medals in dressage. His daugher, Ingrid Klimke, is an international event rider. She lives in Germany.

“This is a meticulously prepared text on a basic system of training that has stood the test of time and has brought results.”  —Horse & Hound

“Poised to again become the modern standard on horse training.”  —Equine Journal

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See larger image The New Basic Training of the Young Horse: From the Education of the Young Foal to the First Competition (Hardcover) By (author) Ingrid Klimke, Reiner Klimke List Price: $29.95 USD New From: $1,155.89 In Stock Used from: $69.27 In Stock

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars If you are looking for a practical book, this is not it!, October 29, 1999
This review is for: Klimke on Dressage: From the Young Horse Through Grand Prix (Hardcover)

If, on the other hand, you are looking for lots of pictures of great riders and equally great horses, this is it! It is a beautiful book with a lot of photographs and very little text. It takes the reader through the ‘ideal’ developmental stages of dressage but without detail. I was looking for more practical words of wisdom on how to achieve the pictured perfection, but found none.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars more usefull than you think!, June 5, 2001
By Michelle Cavanaugh “Michelle77″ (chicago, IL USA)
This review is from: Klimke on Dressage: From the Young Horse Through Grand Prix (Hardcover)

This book is full of large photos of what dressage should look like and in my years of riding I can tell you a picture is worth a thousand words. Every trainer in the country uses all the same words but unless his horses look like these he is incorect, it is that simple. The poll is the highest point always and the head should never be bent past the vertical. Klimke did a great job of collecting pictures of real horese being schooled in dressage corectly something few trainers bother to do nowdays anywhere in the world. Use your eyes and you can learn volumes from this slim work!

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Photographs of the various stages of Dressage, August 18, 1999
This review is from: Klimke on Dressage: From the Young Horse Through Grand Prix (Hardcover)

This book is one of the most beautifully photographed books on dressage and horse sports in general available. Even if you are not a dressage lover, the chronicle of the developing horse will be of interest. This book includes some very rare photographs of some of dressage’s great equine and human athletes. With the untimely demise of Dr Klimke the book will certainly be more difficult to obtain.

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See larger image Klimke on Dressage: From the Young Horse Through Grand Prix (Hardcover) By (author) Reiner Klimke, Werner Ernst List Price: $49.95 USD Used from: $41.25 In Stock

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)

Riders and trainers of any discipline will find value in… practical advice but in the author’s philosophy of horsemanship. — Steven D. Price, author of The Whole Horse Catalog.

About the Author
Reiner Klimke is an Olympic Gold Medalist widely regarded as one of the best all-around riders in the world. Rider Ingrid Klimke is his daughter.

See larger image Cavalletti: Revised Edition: Schooling of Horse and Rider over Ground Poles (Hardcover) By (author) Reiner Klimke, Ingrid Klimke List Price: $29.95 USD New From: $24.20 In Stock Used from: $27.76 In Stock

This is an excellent illustrated handbook on training the dressage horse on the lunge line and long reins in the classical Iberian and Viennese styles. A good basic knowledge of lunge line methods is a recommended prerequisite to this book.

From the Back Cover:
In this handbook you will find fascinating information on the development of the horse, using all methods of work in hand:

• Lungeing
• Long reining
• Training in hand according to the Iberian school
• Training in hand according to the Viennese school
• Schooling between the pillars
• Working with shortened long reins and free long reins

The art of riding lies in being able to understand the cause and effect of everything you do. If you abide by these rules when you work with your friend the horse, he will in return be a joyful companion who will be eager to do anything for you.

Nothing written in this book is “my method.” There are experiences that are thousands of years old, which I have been allowed to discover in my own life and have become richer for doing so. Everything you read here is therefore “clinically tested” through the skill and knowledge of the old masters and myself, and only written in modern words. So I wish you a tremendous amount of fun as you read and apply this old wisdom.
- from the Introduction

About the Author:
ALFONS J. DIETZ trained for eight years at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. In Spain and Portugal, he studied the classical Iberian riding styles of Alta Escuela, Doma Vaquera, and Rejoneo. Today, he is one of the most respected trainers of Baroque horses in Vienna.

See larger image Training the Horse in Hand: The Classical Iberian Principles (Hardcover) By (author) Alfons J. Dietz List Price: $29.95 USD New From: $16.83 In Stock Used from: $16.83 In Stock

The Howell Equestrian Library is a distinguished collection of books on all aspects of horsemanship and horsemastership. The nearly fifty books in print offer readers in all disciplines and at all levels of competition sound instruction and guidance by some of the most celebrated riders, trainers, judges and veterinarians in the horse world today. Whether your interest is dressage, show jumping or Western riding, or whether it’s breeding, grooming or health care, Howell has a book to answer your needs. Get to know all the books in the Howell Equestrian Library: many are modern-day classics and have achieved the status of authoritative references in the estimation of those who ride, train and care for horses.The Howell Equestrian Library

From the Inside Flap
The Athletic Development of the Dressage Horse is the first book devoted entirely to classical manege exercises that are ridden to supple, strengthen and, when necessary, correct. Internationally known instructor, coach and judge Charles de Kunffy details a program of exercises that will enable horses at all levels of dressage and combined training to improve their performance as equine athletes. Unlike other dressage books that explain how to exercise a horse in order to ride a standardized test, this book explains how such exercises can and should be used to increase performance ability, suspension, collection and changes of gaits through true patterns and counter patterns that are accompanied by diagrams and demonstration photographs. Those who have attended Charles de Kunffy’s clinics know that horses inevitably and rapidly improve under his guidance and that riders themselves improve as well. And those encountering him for the first time will experience in this, his third dressage book, what others already know: Here is a horseman of uncommon intelligence and wit who expresses himself clearly, simply and elegantly.

See larger image The Athletic Development of the Dressage Horse: Manege Patterns (Kindle Edition) By (author) Charles de Kunffy List Price: $29.95 USD Release date August 15, 1992.

Dressage riders are information-hungry readers, often referred to as “the thinking horsemen.” This book’s sturdy format, combbound and drilled so it can be hung on a ringside post, will appeal to these reading riders, whether in or out of the saddle.

About the Author
Trainer and author Jec A. Ballou’s teaching and training articles have been featured in every major equestrian publication. She has worked with over 20 different breeds of horses and continues to enjoy the day-to-day journey of training– and learning from– horses.

For most of her life, Jec has immersed herself in the study of classical training, including seven intensive training residencies in Portugal, two training residencies in Holland, and one training residency in Germany with the late Egon von Neindorff. Additionally, she has studied horse behavior and communication with many masters in this field. Most recently, she traveled to Melbourne, Australia to train with her mentor, Manolo Mendez, original head rider of the Royal School of Equestrian Arts in Spain.

Jec’s initial passion for the proper gymnastic development of horses arose at age 13, when she became the youngest rider in history to win the coveted Vermont 100 Mile Competitive Trail Ride. She followed that up with three back-to-back national long distance championships. Since then, she has continued to study every aspect of classical training and conditioning with an undying commitment. She has prepared multiple champions for disciplines as varied as endurance, hunt seat, and carriage driving.

Jec has collaborated with reknown trainers for articles in national magazines. Her book, 101 Dressage Exercises for Horse and Rider (Storey Publishing), was on the best-seller list for eight consecutive weeks in the spring of 2006.
Currently, Jec specializes in helping horses obtain healthy, optimal movement, regardless of their discipline. She works most often with dressage horses, but also assists a number of FEI endurance riders/horses. Jec collaborates willingly with trainers from various backgrounds and disciplines, believing that more is accomplished for the horse when experts work together.

See larger image 101 Dressage Exercises for Horse & Rider (Plastic Comb) By (author) Jec Aristotle Ballou List Price: $29.95 USD New From: $19.20 In Stock Used from: $19.64 In Stock

The Athletic Development of the Dressage Horse is the first book devoted entirely to classical manege exercises that are ridden to supple, strengthen and, when necessary, correct. Internationally known instructor, coach and judge Charles de Kunffy details a program of exercises that will enable horses at all levels of dressage and combined training to improve their performance as equine athletes. Unlike other dressage books that explain how to exercise a horse in order to ride a standardized test, this book explains how such exercises can and should be used to increase performance ability, suspension, collection and changes of gaits through true patterns and counter patterns that are accompanied by diagrams and demonstration photographs. Those who have attended Charles de Kunffy’s clinics know that horses inevitably and rapidly improve under his guidance and that riders themselves improve as well. And those encountering him for the first time will experience in this, his third dressage book, what others already know: Here is a horseman of uncommon intelligence and wit who expresses himself clearly, simply and elegantly.

The Howell Equestrian Library is a distinguished collection of books on all aspects of horsemanship and horsemastership. The nearly fifty books in print offer readers in all disciplines and at all levels of competition sound instruction and guidance by some of the most celebrated riders, trainers, judges and veterinarians in the horse world today. Whether your interest is dressage, show jumping or Western riding, or whether it’s breeding, grooming or health care, Howell has a book to answer your needs.

Get to know all the books in the Howell Equestrian Library: many are modern-day classics and have achieved the status of authoritative references in the estimation of those who ride, train and care for horses.

See larger image The Athletic Development of the Dressage Horse: Manege Patterns (Howell reference books) (Hardcover) By (author) Charles de Kunffy List Price: $29.95 USD New From: $12.00 In Stock Used from: $5.97 In Stock

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.

See larger image The Elements of Dressage: A Guide to Training the Young Horse (Hardcover) By (author) K.A. von Ziegner List Price: $24.95 USD New From: $15.42 In Stock Used from: $17.89 In Stock

Walter A. Zettl has over 57 years experience in riding and coaching some of the world’s finest horses and riders. He coached Canada’s event team in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and has coached the North American Young Riders team.

A Matter of Trust: A Harmonious Partnership Between Horse & Rider Extras DVD Walter Zettl (DVD) List Price: $34.95 USD New From: $39.99 In Stock