Description

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Exhibiting grace and poise as they master the intricate movements of dressage; galloping like the wind at more than thirty miles per hour; soaring over huge competition fences; running tirelessly across every type of terrain – horses are simply stunning athletes. Naturally fleet of foot, they have strength, stamina and intelligence to match. We ask a great deal of these amazing creatures when we ride them in competition, and our horses always deliver.
 
The Sporting Horse is a glorious celebration of the athletic abilities of these beautiful animals, and the unique relationship that has evolved between horse and rider. Working side-by-side for centuries, horse and man have achieved a lasting synergy – and nowhere is that more evident than in the sporting arena.
 
Taking each of the four key sporting characteristics – athleticism, speed, agility and endurance – veteran journalist Nicola Swinney explores how hundreds of years of selective breeding and careful training have developed and refined the horse’s natural ability to perform a diverse range of sporting pursuits. From dressage to polo, snow sports to carriage driving, steeplechasing to barrel racing, the book reveals how horse and rider work as one to achieve sporting excellence.

About the Author

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Bob Langrish, MBE, is one of the world’s leading equestrian photographers. After forty-six years of specialization in this field, he has built a library of more than 750,000 pictures. Bob works for top equestrian magazines in some twenty countries around the world, and has provided illustrations for more than 150 books.

Praise For…

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'A great addition to every horse lover's bookshelf and a wonderful pictorial record of some very special moments in each discipline.'—Jane Holderness-Roddam CBE, LVO - British event rider

''Truly a feast for the eyes. Bob's photography captures all the action, intensity and beauty that are such a part of horse sports.'—Mclain Ward - American Olympic show jumper

'A great book covering many equestrian disciplines. Very well illustrated with a comprehensive text, to accompany the stunning photographs. Would appeal to professional riders as well horse lovers around the world.'—Nick Skelton OBE - British Olympic show jumper

'Dressage is a beautiful sport – it’s about a perfect partnership between a horse and a rider and The Sporting Horse is a glorious celebration of that unique relationship. With compelling text and stunning photographs, this book explores how the physical abilities and willing character of the horse are central to this incredible synergy.'—Carl Hester MBE - British Olympic dressage rider

'Bob Langrish’s The Sporting Horse is a very interesting read and covers all the major equestrian disciplines. This well illustrated book gives the reader a real insight into the equine athlete and its versatility across a range of sports. I would highly recommend The Sporting Horse to anyone with an interest in horses.'—Dan Skelton - National Hunt racehorse trainer

A detailed text and beautiful color photography...The Sporting Horse would be a lovely volume to grace one’s coffee table, barn lounge or viewing room.—Horse Nation