The Pure Teachings of Classical Horsemanship

Egon von Neindorff dedicated his life to the knowledge and promotion of the classical art of riding. He never wanted to be a reformist but purely an interpreter. He truly understood the philosophy of classical riding and was therefore able to teach his numerous national and international students to develop their own style. The essence of classical dressage requires a deep affection for the horse as well as understanding, sensitivity, humility, and devotion. In this book, von Neindorff illustrates in more than 30 chapters his profound understanding of the natural training of horses. It encompasses a body of knowledge that was previously only taught at his riding establishment in Karlsruhe.Contents: 1. The purpose of education, 2. Riding that uses without misusing the horse, 3. A riding horse only matures with time, 4. A good seat can be learned, 5. The orchestra of the rider’s aids, 6. The back as conductor, 7. From the foal to the remount, 8. Work on the lunge line: versatile and irreplaceable, 9. On the way to becoming an 'older remount', 10. The prospective saddle horse, 11. Balanced means supple, 12. Furthering and forming, 13. Correct Corners, 14. The walk - the most difficult gait , 15. The trot - the most important gait, 16. The Gallop: the Third Gait, 17. Not a secret science: About straightness, direction and flexion, 18. Never sideward without forwards, 19. The shoulder-in and its preparation, 20. Renvers, travers, and half-pass, 21. Characterized by forward impulsion, 22. Forwards also when moving backward with purpose and moderation, 23. Only for experts and connoisseurs: The double bridle is a finely honed instrument, 24. The naturally oriented school canter, 25. Free from Constraint, 26. The goal and foundation, 27. The Cadenced Swinging Step, 28. From the airs above the ground to the lessons of classical horsemanship, 29. With driving lines and leading reins, 30. The schooling 'in-hand,' established,improved, refined, About Melissa Simms: Herr Egon von Neindorff passed in 2004 and Melissa became his heir.  She was left with the responsibility of the riding school and had to tread many rough waters and legal entanglements. Melissa assembled his unfinished manuscript that became the 'Die reine Lehre der Klasschen Reitkunst' which was published in Germany in 2004 and she was also now the person who would translate the late Egon von Neindorff’s book from German to the  English version 'The Art of Classical Horsemanship'.  She began that process in 2005 and the book was published in English in 2009. Melissa was really the only person who could have made this a personal interpretation, translating his book with such accuracy, for she understood his body of work in a way no one else could due to her 24 year close relationship with Egon von Neindorff.Since the passing of Egon von Neindorff and the translation of his book Melissa lives between Germany and U.S.A.  She gives clinics, writes articles and has dedicated her life to promote the awareness of Classical Riding as learned from Egon von Neindorff. This she passes down to her students and anyone who wishes to listen.  Melissa Simms encapsulates the pure Art of Classical Horsemanship that for the most part can now only be read about.  She hopes that her students may bring this forward into the future of dressage riding.