About the Book
Xenophon Press' landmark edition of William Cavendish's magnum opus, The New Method of Dressing Horses (previously published under the title: A General System of Horsemanship) presents the modern reader with a uniquely accessible edition of this equestrian classic. Not only is the text updated to modern spellings, but the previously published archaic, hard-to-read fonts have been modernized for ease of reading. This is the only edition available both in-print and soon as an E-publication. The gift-quality collector's edition hardcover includes all of the magnificent original engraved illustrations and schooling pattern diagrams. All presented in a large 11" x 8.5" hardcover edition, the only edition in print today with horizontal layout to accommodate the beautiful engravings.
This classic work is a highly significant landmark in the development of equestrian technique and literature. The New Method of Dressing Horses a.k.a. 'General System of Horsemanship'' dates from Newcastle's exile in Europe with Charles II during the Cromwellian rebellion. First published in 1658 in a French translation, and illustrated with 42 superb engravings of horses, which also accompanied this English edition almost a century later. The book has long been cherished, both for content and beauty, and the illustrated editions have become virtually unobtainable in recent years. Though some of Newcastle's methods may seem archaic today, his emphasis on systematic and humane training was revolutionary for its era and his teaching generally has exerted a lasting and far-reaching influence on the whole art of riding. He is credited by de la Gueriniere as describing the shoulder-in movement on the small circle in his "head-in volte." His writing style is not contemporary but it is still full of wit and wisdom and, thanks to our updated fonts and numerous well-researched footnotes and definitions, is easy to understand. There is nothing like this book in print in English today - the perfect gift for horse-lovers, art lovers or bibliophiles.
About the Author :
The first Duke of Newcastle upon Tyne, William Cavendish (born 16 December 1593 - died 25 December 1676), was an English courtier and supporter of the arts. He was a renowned horse breeder, as well as being patron of the playwright Ben Jonson, and the intellectual group known as the Welbeck Circle.Despite spending the then enormous sum of £15,000 entertaining Charles I in 1634, he failed to gain a significant political post. In the early stages of the First English Civil War, he was appointed Royalist Captain-General in Northern England; he financed much of the war effort himself, later claiming this totalled in excess of £1,000,000. After the defeat at Marston Moor in July 1644, a battle fought against his advice, he went into exile in Europe.He returned to England after the 1660 Restoration; although created Duke of Newcastle in 1665, he remained on the fringes of the court, and became critical of Charles II. He died in 1676, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. Elaine Walker is a writer and consultant on the horse in cultural history. Her books include Horse (Reaktion), which was chosen for translation by the Kalima Project, and "To Amaze the People with Pleasure and Delight" The Horsemanship Manuals of William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle, (Xenophon) which began life as her PhD thesis. She has worked on projects for the Royal Historic Palaces Commission, the Royal Armouries, English Heritage, and Royal Mail, among others. She is currently working on a new book on the horses of the inland waterways, "In Search of the Boat Horse", forthcoming in 2020. Born in Cleveland, Ohio. He first rode at the age of ten while at summer camp, after which he took lessons with such well-known horsemen as Gordon Wright and Morton W. "Cappy" Smith. He rode sales horses for Smith, allowing him to hone his skills on various mounts. In 1941 Steinkraus reached the highest level of equitation competition when he won the ASPCA Maclay Cup in Hunter Seat Equitation and the Good Hands Finals in Saddle Seat Equitation at the National Horse Show. Following his early successes, Steinkraus left to attend Yale University. After his first year of college, he joined the cavalry branch of the Army and was one of the final classes to receive their training on horseback. He was then shipped to Burma during World War II, where he served as part of the 124th Cavalry Regiment from 1943-1945. He then returned to the United States and finished his education at Yale, being graduated in 1949. After college, Steinkraus focused on his riding career, and went on to join the Olympic team at the 1952 Helsinki Games. He also was a true amateur during this time, working as a businessman. Steinkraus retired from international competition at the end of 1972, following the show season, but continued to remain involved in the horse showing industry. This included involvement in the USET, either as president or chairman, from 1972-1992, and as an "Honorary Member" of the FEI Bureau. He also was a television commentator from 1976-1988 and a judge at the 1992 Olympic Games. As of 2008, he was still riding and playing chamber music.
Review :
"The Xenophon Press new edition offers the modern rider direct access to one of the greatest minds in the development of the classical equestrian tradition. The Duke of Newcastle's insight into the equine mind and the accessibility of his keen wit mean that's approach to the horse still has merit. Most importantly, his great love for his subject and faith in the value of horsemanship as an art offer a lasting inspiration that transcends time and context."Elaine Walker, Ph.D. "This book was the fruit of Newcastle's equestrian pursuits and represents something quite remarkable, hardly to be compared to the typical treatise a retired riding master, no matterhow expert-it constitutes nothing less than a labor of love by one of the ablest minds of its age at the height of its powers, applied, through a stroke of fate, to the problems of the horseman."William Steinkraus
"No one interested in the history of dressage and equitation can afford to ignore Cavendish, and any contemporary rider interested in improving his or her horsemanship can benefit from his technical insights. Cavendish advanced the evolution of French dressage in the 17th and 18th centuries, he strongly influenced French and German dressage in the 19th century, and he stands almost without question as the most important English dressage master of any century." - Charles Caramello
