The desire to meld the best of Western riding traditions with classical dressage in the pursuit of a harmonious relationship with a horse has steadily gained traction over the past two decades, and now the movement flourishes. More and more horse people are discovering the incredible rewards of training a well-balanced mount, using a soft feel, and developing communication based on kindness and cooperation. In this remarkable book, the founder of Cowboy Dressage®, Eitan Beth-Halachmy explains the development of the Western dressage horse using his methods. Beginning with the basics of body language, use of the aids, and a discussion of the Training Pyramid, Beth-Halachmy then provides guidelines for foundational groundwork and progressive dressage schooling under saddle, such as developing cadence and consistency in the gaits, understanding and requesting correct bend, choosing and using lateral maneuvers, and advancing self-carriage and collection. Additional sections highlight the distinct benefits of the geometry of the Cowboy Dressage Court, the intrigue of training with the garrocha (a long pole or lance), and the great pleasure of riding musical freestyles. This fantastic guide is both valuable resource and inspirational touchstone, promising that in the end, horse and rider enjoy each other's company.

Eitan Beth–Halachmy was born in Israel, where a Hungarian Cavalry Officer instilled in him a regard for horses and horsemanship that remains the foundation of this training methods and philosophy today. After attending the University of Vienna with a focus on pre–veterinary medicine, Beth–Halachmy came to the United States to pursue his studies at the University of California at Davis. However, while in Vienna he had spent much time observing at the Spanish Riding School, and once in California, he realized what he really wanted to do was train horses. Beth–Halachmy has won many world and national titles in the show horse industry. He and the Morgan stallions Holiday Compadre and Santa Fe Renegade were named World Champions multiple times. Beth–Halachmy is now best known for and spends his time promoting Cowboy Dressage, a riding discipline in which he applies his years of childhood training in classical dressage to Western horsemanship. Beth–Halachmy and his wife Debbie Beth–Halachmy own and operate Wolf Creek Ranch in the beautiful Sierra Foothills in Grass Valley, California. Together they work to spread the Cowboy Dressage movement's ideals of lightness and kindness as reward in horse training (www.cowboydressage.com).