The first of its kind, “An Illustrated History of Equestrian Sports: Dressage, Jumping, Eventing” (Flammarion, October 2019, hardcover) documents the history of competitive horse-riding through fascinating stories and record-breaking events. Organized by decade, with both the individual and team achievements listed across the sport’s three official disciplines—showjumping, dressage and eventing—read from when the sport first appeared in the 1912 Olympic Games to present-day competitions.
“I am delighted to introduce this beautiful retrospective on equestrian sports, a journey through time and around the world, celebrating the very best human and equine athletes as well as the twists and turns that have built our sport into the vibrant industry it is today,” writes FEI President Ingmar De Vos in the book’s foreword.
“And we should never forget where we came from. This is why retracing the sport is so important and why the FEI was delighted to partner with Flammarion on this wonderful publication: sport is about life and culture—it represents who we are, and it can sometimes push us as a society to new heights.”
The book is beautifully illustrated—250 color and black-and-white photographs help tell a wonderful story and document a rich history. It features portraits of both male and female riders, as well as profiles on groundbreaking riders such as Bill Steinkraus, Charlotte Dujardin and Kevin Stautare. Replete with previously unpublished information about the sport, archival photography, and memorable anecdotes, “An Illustrated History of Equestrian Sports: Dressage, Jumping, Eventing” is an essential addition to the collection of any equestrian lover.
“As a magical hybrid, half horse and half human, the centaur of classical mythology is an excellent symbol of the powerful and inextricable bond that unites these two species,” write accomplished equestrians and authors Marie de Pellegars-Malhortie and Benoit Capdebarthes. Pellegars-Malhortie is a rider and journalist in the fields of international news and equestrian sports. Capdebarthes is a riding instructor, dressage rider and former eventing competitor.
For more information or to buy the book ($45.00), visit www.rizzolibookstore.com.
Cover photo: The dressage podium: (left to right) L. Graves, I. Werth, C. Dujardin. Photo courtesy of An Illustrated History of Equestrian Sports
