In this beautifully written and richly illustrated book, Charles de Kunffy advocates for uncompromising devotion to the well-being of horses. He insists that riding must be restorative and therapeutic before it can successfully school horses to gymnastic excellence. Riders must be schooled appropriately in developing riding skills and acquiring the virtues that can earn their place in the equestrian arts.
With great lucidity, Charles de Kunffy explains the rationale and methodology for training horses correctly. Suppleness and collection are the principles ever-present and pursued by classical schooling of the horse. Classical horsemanship is so named because it is based on the enduring triumph toward the correct athletic development of horses. By following the enlightened baroque ideology, human intellect can lead toward pragmatic and scientific equestrian scholarship. The understanding that by improving the functions of random nature by benevolently grooming and developing its latent talents, one can elevate nature to the level of art. Therefore, riders often triumph in advancing horses to perform movements of great eloquence by minimum energy.
This Xenophon Press Expanded Edition of Dressage Principles Illuminated expands on his earlier edition with expanded text and additional illustrative photographic material.
"Horses form their riders from within and foster the development of courage, humility, quickness of judgment, self-discipline, self-control, and focus. They reward the wondrous attitude of empathy." - Charles de Kunffy