APRIL 2006 • VOLUME 8 • ©HORSES For LIFE™ Magazine

Or what dressage was in 1932

All photos are of Taine and Lesage.

Dressage in History has gone through many variances which when you read the masters or talk about famous riders of the past we need to be aware of. So that we can take their words of wisdom and their examples within context. More often than not, they will not be speaking of the dressage as it is practiced today. Putting very different balances and muscle use on the horse.

1932 The Olympics

Francois Lesage (France) dressage on Taine Olympic Games Los Angeles 9 August 1932 The crowd was huge.

A moment in history captured on film.

A historical moment that we feel incredibly fortunate to be able to share with our readers. A film that any true student of riding should see. A film that helps us understand our past, and where our riding has come from. What influences were there in 1932. How much have we kept? How much have we lost?

How much have we gained?
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A dressage of thoroughbreds. Lean and racy. As ready to go onto the racetrack as to go into the dressage ring. Watching Taine one is struck with the smoothness, the fluidity, of the movement. Unbraided mane, flipping up into the air with each stride with the passage and the canter. The energy of the suspension caught on the winds of their own making.

Heads and necks at freedom in the half-pass walk again creating a fluidity of movement that is incredible to see. There is no doubt that watching this pair that there we are in the presence of a very special horse and rider. Watching I am drawn to the grace, the delicacy of the movement. Creating a love for the thoroughbred all over again. One is struck by the wonderful elevation of the head and neck, the head ahead of the vertical ever so slightly creating a horse proud and statuesque. A horse ready to partner with his rider.

Join us in viewing this incredible rider/pair combination in the 1932 Olympics...

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