For anyone interested in classical riding, never mind which school, this DVD is a must. The first half is a biography as such, with anecdotes from his late son Joao, daughter Pureza, and his sister, all absolutely fascinating, and with many short interviews with his long term students. The second half is mostly of his students, but also with a fair bit of footage of the Master riding. Especially interesting for me, was recognising his frequent use of counted walk- how did I never notice this before?
and just how much it was affecting the horse's ability to 'sit'. There is a longish sequence of him working with a Lipizzan over three short lessons on three consecutive days. This, I think almost more than any other piece of film I have seen of him, shows his absolute mastery, using the lateral work to straighten and supple, the counted walk and rein back to engage, piaffe half steps etc etc, all with barely visible aids. OK to be frank, some of the riding of some of his students is not my idea of beauty!- even though the horses themselves are still showing some lovely work! But this DVD is a must for anyone interested in true lightness in equitation!!
I got mine from pferdiatv.
