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Klaus Balkenhol: The Man and His Training Methods

Trafalgar Square Books is pleased to announce the publication of Klaus Balkenhol: The Man and His Training Methods by Britta Schöffmann. A celebrity of the international dressage world, Klaus Balkenhol has an impressive record at the highest levels of competition. With two Olympic golds and an individual bronze, along with innumerable German, European, and World Cup wins to his name, he was a legend long before he assumed his present role as Chef d’Equipe of the US Dressage Team. So involved is he in the sport, one cannot separate his personal story from his training and riding philosophies, which are grounded in the timeless art of classical riding.

Now, in this beautifully illustrated new book, you learn about both the man and his methods, as his biography is brilliantly intertwined with his views on training the dressage horse. From fascinating personal anecdotes and reminiscences of Balkenhol’s most famous mounts, to correcting specific upper level training problems, this book delivers both engaging memoir and relevant education. Among other things, Balkenhol discusses: training according to classical principles; errant trends in competitive dressage; choosing the right dressage horse; instilling trust in young horses; working horses without stress; employing the Training Scale in daily practice; and tips for schooling Grand Prix movements.

Balkenhol insists that a peaceful coexistence can indeed be forged between the human need for competition—and the corresponding thrill and passion that drives it—and preserving the horse’s natural grace, power, and well-being through proper classical training methodology. This book allows us all to join him in this worthy and admirable mission.

BRITTA SCHÖFFMANN is a dressage rider and Balkenhol student, and training with him has enabled her to learn his concepts inside and out. In addition, Schöffmann is a successful trainer herself, and has earned her German gold riding medal, competing up to Grand Prix level.


160 pp ∙ 7 ½ x 10 ∙ 175 color photos, 25 b/w illustrations ∙ 978 1 57076 378 6 ∙ $29.95 hc

To order contact: Trafalgar Square Books, 388 Howe Hill Road, N. Pomfret, VT 05053 800.423.4525 ∙ http://www.horseandriderbooks.com

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