A complete description of the ideal dressage horse and what it takes in conformation movment and temperament for a prospect to go from the lower levels to Grand Prix. Rosie discusses breeding training and biomechanics analyzes the elements of success and explains the differences (and similarities) between an ordinary horses and those that become international superstars. Features commentary by two-time Olympic individual gold medallist Anky van Grunsven currently the number-one ranking dressage rider in the world.

Format: Hardcover
Number of Pages: 120

Author: Dirk Willem Rosie with Anky van Grunsven
Author Notes: Dirk Willem Rosie, breeding expert, worked for the Royal Dutch Warmblood Studbook from 1994 util 2006. During this time he was editor in chief of the Dutch equestrian magazine In De Strengen. Today he runs his own equestrian communications company. He began his career in journalism as an art editor and theatre critic, and his passion for horses initially found expression through his contributions to the magazine De Hoefslag. Rosie was a 2004 presenter at the Global Dressage Forum where he offered an examination of how conformation, movement, and temperament can contribute to the FEI ideal of the horse as a happy athlete. He lives in Haaksbergen, the Netherlands, where he breeds show jumpers, several of whom have reached Grand Prix Level. Anky van Grunsven, one of the top dressage riders in the world, has won hundreds of awards and medals in her career, inclduing eight first place finishes in the World Cup Finals and the individual gold medals in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics. She and her trainer and partner, Sjef Janssen, run a dressage stable in Erp, the Netherlands.
Further Title Description: Breeding expert Dirk Willem Rosie provides the resource every dressage rider has been waiting for: a blueprint for the ideal dressage horse. With thoughts and commentary frm international superstar Anky van Grunsven in every chapter, and the experience of world-class breeders and riders, his groundbreaking book includes information on: desired conformational characteristics from poll to tail, necessary qualities in the three basic gaits, different styles of equine movement, physical ability for collection and self-carriage, and importance of temperament, learning ability, and rideablity. Also: a complete character sketch of the ideal dressage horse, and current FEI rules and their effect on preferences within the industry