The Complete Training of Horse and Rider in the Principles of Classical Horsemanship by Alois Podhajsky

The Complete Training of Horse and Rider in the Principles of Classical Horsemanship by Alois Podhajsky

For over a quarter of a century, Colonel Alois Podhajsky was the Director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, home of the famous white Lipizzaner stallions whose remarkable performances have thrilled audiences throughout the world. Now for the first time, Col. Podhajsky has set forth explicitly and in practical, instructive fashion the step-by-step methods of training both horse and rider that are used at the School and that are the applicable foundations of all good horsemanship, for their purpose is to develop the natural abilities of the horse and to make riding a graceful, pleasurable experience.

Alois Podhajsky was born in Mostar, Bosnia, and was an officer in the Austrian Army, rising to the rank of Colonel. In 1939, Podhajsky became chief of the Academy of Classical Horsemanship, better known as the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria. Founded in 1572, the school's main focus was the training of Lipizzaner horses in the art of classical dressage. Podhajsky was director of the school throughout World War II and continued in the position until his retirement in 1965. Following his retirement, he continued to teach classical horsemanship, and wrote a number of books on the topic, including The Art of Dressage: Basic Principles of Riding and Judging, Riding Teacher, Lipizzaners, My Horses, My Teachers, and The Complete Training of Horse and Rider in the Principles of Classical Horsemanship.