Dressage Principles and Techniques: A blueprint for the serious rider

by Miguel de Lancastre e Tavora

Overview

Miguel de Lancastre e Tavora was a master rider, trainer, and instructor. His genuine love and care for the well-being of horses comes through on every page of his magnum opus: Dressage Principles and Techniques. His kind, calm, and methodical approach is laid out in a progressive sequence that adheres strictly to the principles of the FEI.

“In this book, I will explain the principles which are the objectives of equitation.... Correct principles are governed by nature and logic and proven through practice. I show how to use the aids and gymnastic exercises to achieve goals. Objectivity, simplicity and clarity of all explanations is my first priority.  “My philosophy is that the horse's physical and mental development, obtained through gradual, progressive, logical, and systematic gymnastic work, he will do all work with ease because he feels comfortable. He will look as if he is acting on his own accord, and enjoying it.” - Miguel Tavora

Miguel Tavora rode with Nuno Oliveira from the age of eight years until he was eighteen. After his military training, he was appointed as Chief Instructor and Director of Equestrian Teaching of the Mafra School in Portugal. Miguel migrated to Australia, where he and his wife Dianne ran their equestrian center. He trained numerous horses and riders in Australia, Portugal, and the USA to FEI level. Many of his students competed successfully at Grand Prix Level, proving that correct training can produce winners.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781948717069
Publisher:	Xenophon Press LLC
Publication date:	10/18/2018
Series:	epublication
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	184
File size:	7 MB

About the Author

Miguel de Lancastre e Tavora (Abrantes) was born in Portugal, son of the ninth Marquis and Marchioness of Abrantes. He started riding with Nuno Oliveira at eight years of age. He rode with Nuno until he was 18 years old, at which time he attended the Military Academy. In his military career, he completed the Course of Instructors and later the Course of Masters at the Portuguese Military Riding Academy of Mafra (CMEFED) and competed in eventing, show jumping and dressage. He was later appointed as the Director de Ensino de Equitação, (Chief Instructor and the Director of Equestrian Teaching) of the Mafra School. On retiring from the army, Nuno Oliveira arranged for Miguel to migrate to Australia, where with his wife Dianne they run their own equestrian centre (M&D Tavora School of Equitation). Miguel is a NCAS Level III Instructor (dressage specialist) which is the highest level in Australia. He trained numerous horses himself, and horses and riders in Australia and in the USA to FEI level-many competing at Grand Prix Level-and conducts regular clinics in Australia, the USA and Portugal. His upbringing may have been in the Iberian tradition, but his 'bible' was The Gymnasium of the Horse by the German master, Steinbrecht. While he revels in the artistic dimension of dressage, he is equally intent on producing competitive riders at the highest level, using the classical principles-and his pupils have shown that correct training can also be winning training. Miguel wrote equestrian articles for The Horse magazine in Australia, and the Portuguese magazine Equitação. He published his first Equestrian book, Conceitos Equestres, in his home country, Portugal. This English language version is soon to be available.

Table of Contents

Publisher’s Introduction

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Prologue

Chapter 1: The Horse and the Philosophy of Training  

Chapter 2: The Rider’s Position and Aids

Chapter 3: The Training Scale

Chapter 4: Relaxation and Rhythm

Chapter 5: Balance

Chapter 6: Impulsion

Chapter 7: Contact

Chapter 8: Straightness

Chapter 9: Lightness

Chapter 10: Self-carriage

Chapter 11: Submission and Control

Chapter 12: Collection

Chapter 13: Work on the Longe

Techniques for Correct Lungeing

Chapter 14: Work in Hand

Chapter 15: Familiarisation and First Phase of Training

Chapter 16: Seeking Collection through Lateral Work – Part I

Chapter 17: Seeking Collection through Lateral Work – Part II

Chapter 18: Seeking Collection through Lateral Work – Part III

Chapter 19: Flying Changes

Chapter 20: Flying Changes in Sequence

Chapter 21: Counter Changes of Hand

Chapter 22: Canter Pirouettes

Chapter 23: Piaffer and Passage  

In Conclusion  

References  

Biography