Classical / Légèreté
Four centuries of riding art — from Xenophon to Philippe Karl's lightness.
The bond across all riding styles: animal welfare and biomechanics — method-neutral, no ranking.
“Nothing forced can ever be beautiful.”
Xenophon
Peri Hippikes
The oldest surviving treatise on riding. It establishes the principle of non-violence and of understanding.
La Guérinière
École de Cavalerie
Systematises the schooling in collection and lateral work. The foundation of today's dressage.
Gustav Steinbrecht
Gymnasium des Pferdes
"Ride your horse forward and straighten it." The German school of riding in a single sentence.
Décarpentry
Académique
A bridge between the French and the German school. Clarity about the aids.
Sally Swift
Centered Riding
The rider's awareness of breath and body as a dialogue with the horse.
Philippe Karl
La Légèreté
Lightness as the measure. A critical continuation of the classical school.