Synopses & Reviews
Ride the Body: Lessons in Winning from an Olympic Equestrian
Discover one champion's secrets to show-ring success. Olympic Silver Medalist Peter Leone shares the lessons and habits he has developed over three decades of riding at the highest levels of competition, and he'll help you achieve your personal riding goals, whatever they might be.
Solid riding mechanics and a trusting and respectful friendship between horse and rider are the key elements of Leone's formula for successful showing and jumping. Good form and position give you the confidence, awareness, and presence to connect and communicate with your horse, establishing a "horse to rider, rider to horse" relationship as you "ride the body, not the head." When you and your horse work together, you bring out the best in each other.
In each section of the book, Leone clearly and concisely describes an important riding or jumping principle. He lays out related practice activities and offers checklists for self-evaluation. Descriptions and photographs of top riders bring his principles to life.
Work your way through the secrets to Leone's success, and soon you'll be "riding the ride you know is right."
Review
Presented in a thoughtful, detailed, and yet simple style, this book will improve your riding and horsemanship whether you are beginning your riding journey or trying to improve your current skill level. McLain Ward, Double Olympic Gold Medalist
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The art of teaching riding is about the process of doing things in an excellent way. Peter's book symbolizes all that is best about equestrianism. Robert Cacchione, Founder and Executive Director Intercollegiate
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A must-read for anyone involved with riding or training horses, this book will remind seasoned riders of the basic fundamentals and teach less experienced riders the important lessons that are necessary for achieving success in this sport. Georgina Bloomberg, Top International Rider
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I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in taking their riding and horsemanship to the next level. Missy Clark, Top Equitation Trainer
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It'san outstanding, informative
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Every decade or so a book comes along that is head-and-shoulders above other riding manuals: George's HUNTER SEAT EQUITATION and THE AMERICAN STYLE, Bill Steinkraus' RIDING AND JUMPING, ANNE KURSINSKI'S RIDING AND JUMPING, Anna-Jane White-Mullins' book on judging. Your book
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It'san outstanding, informative
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It'san outstanding, informative
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It'san outstanding, informative
Review
It'san outstanding, informative
Review
It'san outstanding, informative
Review
It'san outstanding, informative
Review
It'san outstanding, informative
Review
It'san outstanding, informative
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Even though Olympic Silver Medalist Peter Leone's latest volume focuses on the sport of Show Jumping, many young horse enthusiasts will be able to garner a good number of horsemanship elements applicable to nearly every horse sport--including harness racing. Peter Leone's Show Jumping Clinic
Review
It'san outstanding, informative
Synopsis
Sharing wisdom gained through decades of riding at the highest levels of competition, Olympic medalist Peter Leone shows you how to achieve jumping success. Covering the fundamental principles of jumping, this guide stresses solid riding mechanics and the importance of a respectful friendship between horse and rider. With focused exercises that are designed to improve both the physical skills and mental toughness required for equestrians of all levels, you'll learn how to bring out the best in your horse and successfully reach your riding goals.
Synopsis
For equestrian athletes of all levels, Olympic medalist Peter Leone shares his strategies and methods for success in Peter Leone's Show Jumping Clinic. He coaches riders on the elements of first-rate horsemanship and the foundations of competitive show jumping, sharing his techniques for improving both the physical aspects of riding and the mental strength and focus that are essential to successful competition.
About the Author
1996 Olympic Silver Medalist Peter Leone is the winner of over 50 Grand Prix, including the 2010 Grand Prix of Devon. Leone coaches professional riders as well as amateur and juniors for the world's top show jumping, equitation, and hunter competitions. Leone and his wife, Marcella, own and operate Lionshare Farm in Greenwich, Connecticut.
As a rider, coach, leadership professor, and author, Kimberly Jaussi marries her passion for helping others learn with her love for the fundamentals of riding and jumping. She is an award-winning teacher and a sought-after public speaker and facilitator, and she lives with her family in Oswego, New York, where they operate Lucky Stone Farm.
Table of Contents
Foreword by George Morris
Introduction
Section One. The Fundamentals of Good Riding
Chapter One: Horse to Rider and Back Again
1. The Rider's Aids: The Buttons
2. Thinking about Position: Form and Function
3. Make Friends with Your Horse
4. The Importance of the Right Equipment
Chapter Two: The Biggest Keys
1. The Whole Horse: Mind and Body
2. Ride the Body
3. It's All in the Legs
Chapter Three: Focus on the Flat
1. Setting Goals
2. Contact: Tying It All Together
3. Transitions: Change It Up
4. You're Ready When: Picking the Right Time and Place
Chapter Four: The Art of the Ride
1. First Become a Good Mechanic
2. A Little More Salt? Or a Little More Sugar?
3. What a Feeling!
Section Two. Foundations over Fences
Chapter Five: Make a Commitment
1. Emotional Commitment Comes First
2. Closer Is Better, Almost Always
3. Make Each Jump Work
4. Ride the Ride You Know Is Right
5. Reset
Chapter Six: Jumping Gymnastics
1. Result: Perfect Position
2. Result: Balance and Timing
3. Result: Adjustability
Chapter Seven: Riding the Lines
1. Direct or Bending: Which Line Will You Ride?
2. Do the Math and See in the Moment
3. Ride the Body for the Best Track
Chapter Eight: The Building Blocks of Today's Courses
1. Isolate the Pieces and Take Them One at a Time
2. Identify the Prime Jumping Questions
3. Ride the Prime Jumping Questions
Section Three. Eyes on the Prize: Competing and Showing
Chapter Nine: Putting It All Together in the Ring
1. Practice, Practice, Practice, Then Trust Your Homework
2. Create Deja Vu Moments
3. Warm Up and Ace the Test
Chapter Ten: Seeking the Medal
1. Medals, Derbies, Classics, and More
2. Planning Your Show Year
3. The Nuances of a Winning Ride
Appendixes
Appendix 1: Test Your Eye
Appendix 2A: Olympic Medals in Show Jumping
Appendix 2B: Show Jumping World Championships
Appendix 2C: ASPCA Maclay Championship Finals
Appendix 3: Road to the Olympics
Appendix 4: Team Leone
Acknowledgments
Interior Photography Credits
Index