Alexis-Francois L'Hotte. The Quest for Lightness in Dressage

"The International Equestrian Shop"

Welcome Willkommen Bienvenidos Bienvenue Welkom Boa Vinda Benvenuto

Low shipping from $2.99. FREE SHIPPING over $200 (domestic USA) now until further notice

SSL

Shop by Breed
by Department
or by Discipline
- Barrel Racing
- Cutting
- Dressage
- Driving
- Equitation
- Eventing
- Fox Hunting
- Horse Racing
- Hunters
- Polo
- Reining
- Show Jumping
- Trail/Endurance
- Trick Training
- Vaulting
- Western Pleasure

Home

Back

Gift Certificates

Alexis-Francois L'Hotte. The Quest for Lightness in Dressage
990474
| I recently read that the French School was dead....that the German training has by now so dominated dressage training in the modern day that the French school is no longer detectable...

Begging to differ on that front I invite you to read the history of the French School - wonderfully translated work ( by Hilda Nelson who did an excellent job of it ) of Alexis -Francois L'Hotte - a military man - a General - who tells us all about the French Cavalry, the equitation and classical dance and the famous ecuyers of the time. The names of Baucher, D'Abzac and de Carpentry may be known to many - their constant quest for perfection and lightness - the search for the true art of dressage. An accomplished Ecuyer himself, L'Hotte was praised in his day as the most learned and most complete Ecuyer. He lived an austere life and was a model cavalryman, and throughout his career he was also known for his silence or limited words when teaching. I don't know about you - but I've had my share of those trainers too. Not always the most helpful. But despite his sometimes mute behavior, L'Hotte however brings his knowledge and wit to life when he writes, and he has here recounted his experience of application of the Baucher method and his work with the methods of comte d'Aure, and his spiritual teacher Rousselet. L'Hotte later answers questions on the then present day School of Hannover ( very interesting and humorous here, he was not impressed with their haute ecole although impressed by their riding 'exterior' and hunt), and the Royal Trakehner stables, his visits Austria and the 'cafe au lait' horses he finds there, as in Germany, but not one single stallion amongst them in Austria as they may not be bred outside of Hannover by order of the King of Hannover- and the presence in Austria of the five Andalusian breeds from Lippiza - the perfect round horse closer to the ground - fit for the manege riding which is beautifully orchestrated under gas lights. I've been fortunate to have visited similarly these places in my lifetime and to enjoy the horsemanship and some training at these locations. There is a stunning similarity to what he experienced and what we experienced - and L'Hotte's writing makes you wish you had seen it all back then.

Reading the details on the applications of the aids and the training of the dressage mount also echoes the kindness in teachings of the more modern day masters such as the late Dr. Klimke and the less modern day master Alois Podhajsky - Brenderup and Oliveira - the influences that you will see in all the dressage work taught and exhibited to-day are clearly evident. Perhaps there is a blend today of Steinbrecht and Baucher and all that has come before and surely we have evolved to take the best of both worlds? Perhaps it was not the German training and methods that made horses move on automatic pilot L'Hotte suggests, but perhaps those that are trained by purists in haute ecole and circus haute ecole is what begs the difference. Does it matter on which side of The Danube the training is completed? In fact if you read today many of our own riders and trainers, Heather Bender for example, were trained in 'trick riding' before coming to dressage. When does the horse do the work of his on volition L'Hotte asks? Still a very valid point for the cornerstone of good riding today - I am not sure 'lightness' and The French School may be counted out as the magazine article I read suggested. I sincerely miss all the discussions in Ivan's former super magazine Dressage and CT on this topic.

There are some super art pieces here - color plates of Marie-Antionette astride her fiery black horse, information on how an 'amazone' should dismount, complete with photo ( and yes, actually a Jack Russell in the picture too, the breed was a pre-requisite for any dressage yard back then eh?), and mention and plate of Francois Baucher favorite pupil Pauline Cuzent. Anna Fillis ( yes, James Fillis's daughter) who grew up in Haute Ecole in France is another lady ecuyer covered - it's great to see some credit given here not just to the great male riders of the day but also the women. Some riding and jumping with no bridles - how's that for trick riding for the ladies.

There's no question that reading and educating via classic dressage books such as this one will enhance the serious dressage trainer's understanding, application and success. A very high quality production - a good bit of text to read but a wealth of info in the pages make it rewarding. Recommended. Author: Hilda Nelson

$60.00 On Sale! $45.99
Quantity:

Other items you might want to order:

Horse Design Stationery Angled Note Pad Horses In Group design.

$7.99

Horse Dandy Brush USA Made Navy Polypropylene Wood Backed.

$9.99

Horse Grooming Mitten Faux Fur.

$24.99

Horse Polo Wraps. Set of 4 Choose your color.

$19.99

Horse Riding Breech Max Stitch Free Shipping HURRY! Last pair left! In Asphalt Gray with full seat, gray leather from Kyra. K Collection. Sits just below waist with wide comfy waistband.

$195.00

Horse Riding Gloves Genuine deerskin in buttery soft yellow. Super comfort from Kyra K.

$78.00

© 2006-2012 The Horse Studio Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Horse Studio ™. is not responsible for typographical errors. Some colors pictured may vary slightly due to the photographic process. The Horse Studio ™ is a trademark of The Horse Studio Inc .