In this his most thoughtful and thought-provoking book to date, Charles de Kunffy issues a philosophical call to arms for a dedication to the art of riding and attention to the traditions of classical horsemanship. In an almost poetic manner, he addresses important issues that should be considered by every dedicated equestrian, such as the nature of competition- should it challenge or reinforce classical horsemanship?;He considers the character of the equestrian: what inner qualities are required and should be cultivated to become a complete horseman? And, what are the individual equestrian's responsibilities to classical horsemanship and the academic equitation? He explores non-confrontational principles of training and the true meaning of "on the bit" and the engagement, and discusses the development of the correct seat and the use of hands and reins. He offers valuable suggestions on finding and selecting help for classical dressage training.

"Like the classic deadly sins, the seven deadly sins of dressage presented in this innovative guide-ignorance, timidity, pride, fear, gluttony, impatience, and sloth-wreak havoc on both rider and equine development and training. Calling attention to common mistakes and offering new strategies for avoiding age-old pitfalls, this manual addresses the philosophical issues of incorrect dressage training by examining each vice in depth. Using a touch of humor and sound advice, this guide comes complete with practical exercises, enlightening photographs, and useful information for becoming a better rider and person"--

In this beautifully written and richly illustrated book, Charles de Kunffy advocates for uncompromising devotion to the well-being of horses. Riding must be restorative and therapeutic prior to schooling horses to gymnastic excellence.

An elegantly written appraisal of classical riding by a highly respected equestrian author, enhanced with 50 superb color photos.

A Colorado clone of James Herriot reveals the evolution of his trainingskills through well-told...

Defending ethics in sport is vital in order to combat the problems of corruption, violence, drugs, extremism and other forms of discrimination it is currently facing. Sport reflects nothing more and nothing less than the societies in which it takes place. However, if sport is to continue to bring benefits for individuals and societies, it cannot afford to neglect its ethical values or ignore these scourges. The major role of the Council of Europe and the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) in addressing the new challenges to sports ethics was confirmed by the 11th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport, held in Athens on 11 and 12 December 2008. A political impetus was given on 16 June 2010 by the Committee of Ministers, with the adoption of an updated version of the Code of Sports Ethics (Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)9), emphasising the requisite co-ordination between governments and sports organisations. The EPAS prepared the ministerial conference and stepped up its work in an international conference organised with the University of Rennes, which was attended by political leaders, athletes, researchers and officials from the voluntary sector. The key experiences described in the conference and the thoughts that it prompted are described in this publication. All the writers share the concern that the end result should be practical action - particularly in terms of the setting of standards - that falls within the remit of the EPAS and promotes the Council of Europe's core values.

Most horsemen agree that timing, feel, and balance are the holy trinity of horsemanship. The balance is brilliant: scientific facts and the empirical evidence to support those facts assembled by two highly respected professionals in their respective disciplines.