The USDF Guide to Dressage: The Official Guide of the United States Dressage Federation

I love that this book is written in such a way that the absolute first time dressage rider and the experienced upper level show rider can both sit down with it and find something of real value. The illustrations are well drawn and easy to use. The photography is excellent & the horses are shown in correct form and carriage. The language used is not full of random terminology that assumes you have been riding with a coach for two years and "should already know this stuff" - the assumption is that you have spent a substantial sum of money on this book because you intend for the book to teach you these things. AND IT DOES!I am immensely pleased to have this one in my library. My husband, who normally finds dressage tomes to be his version of sleeping pills, is enjoying it too. We both especially like the fact that the author has covered very clearly and with great detail, including photos, specific tack choices and the clothing for the show ring at various levels as well. Again these are things that people just assume you already know or have a full time coach who handles all these little details and that's not the case for most of us out here in the real world! If you're on a budget and learning as you go or live in a rural setting where you're the only dressage folks in a 60 mile radius, this book will make life considerably easier!

I run a small stable in East Texas. ([...] I have ordered and read many of the basic Dressage books for beginners, searching for a book for my Junior and Amateur riders. My hope is that if my riders have a better understanding of some very basic concepts it will promote their understanding of Dressage. And, maybe get them interested in reading and studying Dressage theory. It came down to three books; Jane Savoie's "Dressage 101" , "The USDF Guide to Dressage", and Max Gahwyler's "The Competitive Edge". All three are fantastic books and each has great tips. Jane Savoie's is great for someone training their own horse without much instruction. Max Gahwyler's book gives great explanations for dressage ideas. I found the "USDF Guide to Dressage" to be the best for our needs, at least right now.The USDF Guide to Dressage is going to be our "text book" for the next few months. It is a well written book going over the basics of riding and showing Dressage. It includes types of attire (breeches, boots, etc) , saddle choice, how horse shows are run, and of course what Dressage is and how it can help you and your horse. There is also a large section on Dressage theory and training tips.I will be asking all of my Junior and Amateur riders who are interested in advancing their knowledge to order a copy.

This is a mammoth book and encompases everything dressage. The USDF Guide to Dressage As a former Dressage and Saddle Horse Judge for the EFA, I decided to purchase this book as it was written presuming readers needed no prior knowledge of the art.An excellent book for someone starting out in this field and also a must-have reference book for the initiated. I do like the way it covers Bits to Saddles and even covers further reading, outfitters and all that sort of nitty-gritty.The one small fault I found was with the item about "on-the-bit". It clearly states what it is, how it should look, above/behind etc, and gives some possible reasons for this - but unfortunately there are no suggestions for exercises to help put your horse on-the-bit. Personally I should have liked to see a section on "how-to-do" and some exercises to help with this manoeuvre to help riders to work along correct lines towards this goal."Commonsense Dressage" by Sally O'Connor gives a beaut description of how to work to achieve this.  Common Sense Dressage: An Illustrated Guide  Otherwise this is an excellent book.

This book might better be titled "Introduction to Dressage." It starts with the basics, assuming the reader is not only unfamiliar with dressage, but unfamiliar with basic horsemanship. As an introduction, it is excellent.However, as a recent convert to dressage after years of riding hunt seat, I was hoping for something that covered more dressage-specific information. I was disappointed to find that this book tops out at Second Level. The buyer should be aware that although the book covers some lateral work like shoulder-in, it does NOT cover the higher levels of dressage, including half-pass, piaffe, passage, canter pirouettes, etc.

Great book!!! This book just gives you all of the ins and out of dressage: showing, training and learning in general. I recommend this book to anyone who shows dressage or is interested in starting to train dressage. You will learn all the important little details from clothing, bits and other tack, and also proper attire for showing. You will learn about proper head carriage and how to obtain that. There are lots of explanations, diagrams and photos as well.A must have for any person interested in dressage.

This book answered my questions even before I asked them. My trainer recommended it and I found it comprehensive, complex and interesting enough for beginners like me.

Good quality book lots of information.

This is one of the best books that I have seen to give to someone to introduce them to Dressage...in particular competition dressage. This is a MUST HAVE for the library of every dressage enthusiast. Great "Coffee Table" Book