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Book Excerpts

The Institute

Dear Ms. Sandor, I have been reading my friends' dressage books for the past six months. I feel I have made rapid progress, and have recently decided to buy my own bookshelf. I intend to fill it up as soon as possible--any advice you might give me would be helpful.
Alas, the road to correct and effective dressage reading is longer than most beginners think! It is not just a matter of buying the first bookshelf you see and then rushing off to Borders with a fistful of cash. You might make yourself a "flashy" library that way, and it may win a few admiring glances from friends, but sooner or later it will disappoint you. All the hastily purchased books in the world will not make you a better reader. For that, you will need time, patience, and a fully developed seat.

Dear Ms. Sandor, Perhaps you can help me with a problem. I have a beautiful copy of Centered Riding, which I purchased at an estate sale. When I first bought it, I was in raptures of enjoyment and spent hours on my small ottoman, reading it and imagining I was an ice cream cone. But now, I cannot summon up the same enthusiasm. What's wrong?
It is sad but true that, as our skills advance, we sometimes outgrow those special schoolbooks which first nurtured our enthusiasm for dressage reading. It is time to put away your faithful friend and delve into something slightly more advanced. Start with something full of diagrams, such as a Mary Wanless book, and as your confidence grows, ease into the thicker, more cryptic volumes. If you stick with it, you will eventually read words such as "Durchlaessigkeit" without a second thought!

Dear Ms. Sandor, I feel a severe pain in the neck whenever I read articles about saddle seat riding. Is this normal?
You are probably reacting to the sharp contrast between your dressage reading background and the photographs which often accompany these articles. Take a few deep breaths, stretch your neck and back down and forward, and turn the page. Be careful to keep the tempo as you do so. Then reward yourself with a nice, free walk--perhaps to the bathtub, bed or sundeck. Good job!

 

Would you like to ask Eva Sandor a question about Dressage Reading? It's easy! Just email dressagereaders@yahoo.com. The most interesting questions will be posted here.