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96 JA N UA R Y/ F E B R UA R Y 2 018 U N TAC K E D BOOK REVIEWS "Dressage Sabbatical: A Year Of Classical Riding At Lost Hollow Farm" B y RO S E CA S L A R R ose Caslar opens her debut book "Dressage Sabbatical: A Year Of Classical Riding At Lost Hollow Farm" by warning that it is "neither a comprehensive description of a training system nor an account of the ideal progress a horse and rider will make in a perfectly controlled environment." is blog-turned-book follows Caslar through her journey as an intern at classical dressage trainer Paul Belasik's farm. e entries begin with Caslar saying goodbye to her home in the mountains of Oregon and her husband. From there, Caslar documents every challenge, triumph and foible, as she immerses herself in the study of dressage. Caslar strikes a balance between education and entertainment in "Dressage Sabbatical" by distilling the teachings of classical dressage into manageable anecdotes, often starring her opinionated mare Princess Rainy. While not a step-by- step reveal of Belasik's teachings, Caslar does outline her lessons and ruminate on her progress (or lack thereof) in enough depth that the reader can learn. She also contends with looming questions about her future, her abilities, and the relationship between classical and modern dressage. e end of most entries is reserved for a lighthearted snapshot of the weekly gourmet meal Belasik and his assistant trainer, Andrea Meoak, provided for the interns. Caslar's prose is accessible without diminishing the complexity of the theories she discusses, and her grounded, earnest voice acts as a steady guide. A seasoned dressage rider will catch the intricacies of her struggles and appreciate the depth of Belasik's training, but a newcomer or a wayward hunter rider won't be baffled. Whether read as a story of transformation or a glimpse into the realm of classical dressage, this book will likely inspire a reader to think more deeply about his or her own practice. —Kieran Paulsen G erman Olympic event rider and Grand Prix dressage competitor Ingrid Klimke has written an instructional book for sport horse fanatics that succeeds where many others fall short. Most textbooks read dull, while "Training Horses e Ingrid Klimke Way: An Olympic Medalist's Winning Methods For A Joyful Riding Partnership" is anything but. Klimke's book is divided into chapters based on horses she's trained and the lessons she's learned from riding with specific people. Each horse's chapter gives you a breakdown of a typical weekly training schedule, explaining why Klimke focuses on certain things to address issues that crop up. She also walks readers through her mounts' journeys from meeting them as young horses to competing at the upper levels. It's nice to learn that even horses started by someone as talented and experienced as Klimke still have typical baby issues, such as going around cross- country like a freight train as a 5-year-old, and yet these horses turned out just fine! She mixes in tidbits and funny anecdotes about her horses with the general training principles she uses to help them progress. e instructional sections are short and sweet and include diagrams and measurements, so you can set up her exercises. In addition, the book is packed with pictures you won't see in competition coverage—famous horses rolling in turnout, Klimke riding with a neck rope, or galloping and training in fields at home. You get a sense of her personality, as she provides you with an inside look at the training program that has brought her so many accolades. —Ann Glavan "Training Horses The Ingrid Klimke Way: An Olympic Medalist's Winning Methods For A Joyful Riding Partnership" B y I N G R I D K LI M K E

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