13 Aug Long and Low: Reviews are Coming In!
Paul’s new book is causing some good controversy, and we’re sharing some of the reviews that have come in:
“Paul Belasik is an equestrian jewel, sadly he is also one of the few remaining specimens of a dying species, the serious dressage commentator. In a series of books, Paul has demonstrated his deep research into the writings of the equestrian greats, combined with refreshing insights of his own, which include eastern philosophy, and the martial arts. In this new work he confronts one of the burning issues of the day, long and low, which he sees as the implacable enemy of the true goal of the equestrian art – collection…One of Paul’s great strengths is his willingness to examine history as a key to understanding the issues of today.” – Chris Hector, The Horse Magazine.
“Well done Paul! It is clear, powerful and succinct. I hope it is read widely and absorbed deeply. It should be mandatory reading for all judges. Thank you. In this slim volume is encapsulated a lifetime of scholarly and practical research. Using accessible language with some clear supporting illustrations, the author explains very clearly how dressage lost its way. His narrative covers the history of academic equitation and the rise of a new style of competitive dressage riding. Illuminated by a modern understanding of anatomy and physics, the story is incontrovertibly laid out for the reader. All the while the author’s love and respect for the horse shines powerfully. Not everyone will enjoy the conclusions, but nobody with an interest in riding well should ignore them.” – Dominic Shorthouse
“Remarkable book – sheds a much needed light on a common topic! We dressage riders should rethink what we take for granted about long and low work.” – Amazon Review
“A well researched book that shines a much needed light on a confusing topic in dressage. Anyone who has ridden dressage will find this interesting! Another great book from Paul.” – Amazon Review
“I had pre-registered for a copy of Paul Belasik’s new book, Long and Low, and was excited when it arrived this week. I could hardly put it down. I would recommend this short book (80 pages…so manageable!) to anyone who loves dressage, or horses. For a dressage nerd, this is a bit of a spicy read (in the best way). I recommend popcorn and a glass of wine while reading it. It’s tremendously refreshing to see such an academic and clear explanation of the history of this system and its effects on the horse.” – Sierra Stewart
