The Essential Paul Belasik: An Omnibus : Riding Towards the Light/Exploring Dressage Technique/the Songs of Horses

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Summary: it's the journey
Review: I have studied riding dressage whilst living in Europe and it all seemed so harsh. I ride reiners and have found that my joy in riding ANY horse is the journey. It's the experience of the exploration. Mr. Belasik does a brilliant job of offering a path of learning without absolutes of how one HAS to ride. Also he couples these lessons with stories of his own lessons (life and equine) that then weave a wonderful journey of passions with horses and learning. He shows that to do anything well one must seek out masters in many fields. Many times this proves that learning a martial art, zen, and equestrianship all apply to the process. I find this book a most enjoyable read! I would also like to thank Trafalgar Square for such a high quality book. The paper is wonderful and the text/font most readable.

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Summary: Spiritual and Practical Horsemanship From a Modern Master
Review: Paul Belasik is a modern master and a rare horseman who can relate his vast wealth of knowledge to his students as flawlessly as he practices it with his own horses. In his first book of the trilogy, "Riding Toward the Light," Paul shares the story of his apprenticeship in riding, when he learned the trade that he now teaches and shares through writing. THrough his story, the rider learns the foundations of dressage but (more importantly) the way that a rider draws upon experience to build his technique and his philosophy. In the second book, Exploring Dressage Technique, Paul approaches practical training issues and applies theories of biomechanics, his own experience, and the wisdom of the masters to bring the rider an understanding of where problems arise and how to address them. In the final book of the trilogy, "The Songs of Horses," the author teaches by parable, telling seven marvelous stories of lessons learned from unique horsemen and women in various times and places across history. Together, the books express the thought process of a true equestrian artist, teaching a the reader/rider to view horsemanship as a dynamic process, a creative process, and a journey through the self. It's such a pleasurable read that one almost doesn't perceive the wealth of technical and historical information that it provides on every page. This is a must-have for any classical dressage rider's library.