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A Collection of Six Cassette Tapes in a Series

In these interviews, Paul Belasik (Author of "Riding Towards the Light" and "Exploring Dressage Technique") discusses the training process of the horse and rider. The series includes practical explanations of the techniques used in this process. The conversations also explore the psychological, philosophical and historical aspects that underlie the traditional, classical approach to a horse's training.

"There are some fascinating new ways for dressage riders to learn. The most far reaching of these is the American Dressage trainer, Paul Belasik's Overview of the Classical Principals Behind the Training of a Horse and Rider, produced by Lorell Jollife. In a series of six cassettes in the form of interviews, he covers the range of classical riding from the rider's seat and position to the breaking of a young horse through to High School work. It is good listening, combining quotes from the old Masters to martial arts, and from practical hints to profound principals. They are thought provoking, sometimes controversial, sometimes ethereal. They are spoken by an obvious horseman who has trained many horses, written a successful book "Riding Towards the Light," studied the books of the Masters, and the practical work of the living maestros. There is a richness to this work which is rare amongst modern sources of equestrian education. These tapes will stay in my car and will be played and played."

"In this series of six audio tapes, the listener is treated to a lively conversation between Paul Belasik and his apprentice Lorell Jolliffe. This conversational format has never occurred to me before though eavesdropping around the expert is always a temptation. Dressage to Belasik is an Art Form requiring all the personal commitment and self investigation of any artistic expression. As you may have guessed these tapes are no lighweights, they take a bit of listening too, not because they are hard to understand but because they are so jam packed full of gems, gems from Belasik, wonderful extracts from old masters, inspirational questions leading the way beyond technique into the realms of psychology and philosophy. Apart from a great deal of valuable technical information, these tape brought home to me that we are all part of a rich on going tradition and that striving towards perfection in the Equestrian Arts is an honorable and worthy pursuit. If that's what you are doing, keep Paul Belasik's series ' An Overview of the Classical Principals Behind the Training of a Horse and Rider' handy and listen to all six tapes over and over."

"I listened to these tapes in my car on the way to and from work for several days, and I found them so fascinating that I had trouble turning the player off if I got to work before the end of the tape. What makes the tapes so interesting is not the subject matter alone, but the passion with which Belasik discusses the theoretical aspects of the horse's training. He quotes extensively from such masters as the Duke of Newcastle, Antione de Pluvinel and Francois de la Gueriniere, and does not hesitate to express his opinion about many controversial theories, including the current one about riding the horse "long and low." He also includes some very knowledgeable discussion of the biomechanics of the various movements, and what things are physically possible or impossible for a large four-legged creature. For the dressage rider with an interest in classical riding who has neither the time nor the inclination to study the old masters, this series provides a lot of basic information in a lively and entertaining format. Listen to them on the way to your next competition, and let them inspire you."

-Donna Donaghy (The National Sporting Library, Middleburg VA)