Recommendations for books (dr,sj+xc)

TiaPony

TiaPony

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Looking for books to help my riding. Would like one for each discipline.. my christmas present to myself.

A dressage book that is easy to understand and relevant - Prelim-Elementary level that will have exercises in it that I can practise and have a nice understanding of what is required in tests and the theory etc

A show jumping book that is a confidence giver - this is my worst stage due to nerves and lack of self confidence. Again, some exercises and various techniques. Not just the jumping itself but the canter, approaches, how to ride different fences etc

A cross country book mainly on how to ride the different xc fences and just generally tips on xc riding. This one doesn't have to be so much 'exercises' but more on how to ride xc
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For the jumping books - something relevant to a horse going through the lower BE levels (Intro,PN + Nov) so 3ft-3ft6.

I'd like something more with pictures - I am a teenager and my concentration span is only so long
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and I think having an image of how to do it would help me as I learn quite visually.

All suggestions welcome!
 
Ahh, the XC book has to be the Lucinda Green one, cant find it now or would tell you title, and for SJ the 100 exercises one, its ring bound and lovely and progressive.
 
Ah Tia, I'll jump on this band wagon if I may as I'm interested in getting these kind of books myself. Although I'm not a teenager, my attention span is probably just as small!!
 
I agree with the Lucinda Green book for Cross Country - simple, basic, but with all the information you need. Also Pippa Funnell, Training the Young Horse is good. Lots of photographs, and you can follow how the horse develops.

As for dressage - although not competition dressage, I find Sylvia Loch Dressage in Lightness very very good on the correct application of the aids, very clear and easy to understand. I had a horse with a long standing problem with a right canter strike off, and following Sylvia's instructions never had another problem.
 
101 Dressage Exercises is brilliant for schooling exercises, so is 101 Jumping Exercises
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Cross Country with Blyth Tait explains pretty much everything for cross-country riding, with plenty of photos demonstrating how to ride various fences.
The Photographic Guide to Jumping by Lesley Bayley & John Bowen explains everything from the basics in jumping, to jumping courses and how various cross-country fences should be ridden and is has LOTS of photos.
I think that Dressage by Wolfgang Niggli is a really good allround dressage book, it explains what exactly judges look for and also explains all the main movements up to Grand Prix level
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I got my SS a book that looked so good when I had a sneak peak that I'm going to get it for myself!

It's called 101 Schooling Exercises, there's also 101 Dressage exercises for when you get more advanced.
I think it will be good for me as I tend to get a bit aimless when schooling lol.
 
Oh, I forgot to mention "Tug Of War: Classical Versus Modern Dressage". It's a VERY interesting book which explains correct contact, collection, impulsion etc. and also discusses rollkur and hyperflexion.
 
Blyth Taits xc book is by far the best it is modern, up to date and is very helpful.
 
Carl Hester does a good dressage book thats very clear and to the point. Can't remember what its called but its in paperback - been out a few years now.
 
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