Sally Swift (1) (1913–2009)

Swift writes clearly and understandably, and has produced a readable, useful, focused book intended to assist readers in becoming better riders. The pictures are for the most part clear, and the imagery is vivid enough to be memorable when you're in the saddle. The format of the book itself doesn't make it very barn-friendly, but you can't have everything, after all! I'm mainly a pleasure rider, not a three day eventer, show jumper, or dressage rider: it doesn't matter. The basic concepts show more are helpful regardless of whether you ride multiple horses every day or saddle up once a month. show less

This book has been published for over 20 years with very little content change. It's a testament to how correct methods are the only ones to endure. During college this was required reading for everyone in equitation classes and it was an indispensable learning tool. The exercises are simple and effective enough to perform without a trainer if you have your own horse, but it does not assume to replace a trainer you have. Rather, it's a supplement to lessons and works on calling more show more attention to the rider's input as it affects equine performance. show less

My favourite riding text book ever.

When I was mastering the art of dressage this book helped me a lot, even though it is not a dressage book.
It is a book which would benefit riders in any discipline of any ability. Its main focus is on balance, breathing and inner control.

"Even the best riders know what it's like to hit a learning plateau-- a time when, no matter how hard you work, you seem to get nowhere. Such interruptions in a rider's progress often stem from a false or imprecise understanding of what he or she is trying to do, or the lack of a key image that could put things together, working in synchrony. For the rider who needs either or both of these (and who does not, from time to time?), Sally Swift's Centered Riding will prove indispensable. show more Wonderfully explicit in explaining and showing what should work how, Centered Riding is also wonderfully imaginative in finding just the right psychological images to help go beyond the mere mechanics. A work of truly remarkable originality and ingenuity, it cannot fail to help many riders attain their present goals, and then move ahead to set higher ones."--William Steinkraus, Chairman, U.S. Equestrian Team, Inc., Olympic Gold Medalist, Show-jumping, 1968, Mexico City

"Centered Riding is a book that will be read and reread for years to come, providing timeless counsel for horsemen and -women who seek to improve and refine their riding skills and their ability to communicate these skills to others."--Tad Coffin, Olympic Individual and Team Gold Medalist, Three-Day Event, 1976, Montreal show less