Training – Fourth Level Reading List

(R) = REQUIRED
(SR) = Strongly Recommended
** Available in the USDF Store

Riding

  • USDF Training Manual (Classical Training of the Horse) – USDF (R) **
  • The Principles of Riding – German National Equestrian Federation (R)
  • USDF Pyramid of Training – USDF (R)
  • The Gymnasium of the Horse – Gustav Steinbrecht (Also available as an Audio Book) (R)
  • The New Basic Training of the Young Horse – Ingrid & Reiner Klimke (R) **
  • Cavalletti for Dressage and Jumping – Ingrid & Reiner Klimke (R) **
  • When Two Spines Align – Beth Baumert (R)
  • Balance in Movement: The Seat of the Rider – Suzanne von Dietz (Also available in DVD) (R) **
  • The Complete Training of Horse and Rider – Alois Podhajsky (SR)
  • Anatomy of Dressage – H. & V. Schusdziarra, Co-Published by the USDF (Reprint of An Anatomy of Riding)  (SR) **
  • Rider & Horse Back to Back – Susanne von Dietze (SR)
  • Dressage with Kyra – Kyra Kyrklund (SR)

Lungeing

  • USDF Lungeing Manual – USDF (R) **
  • Lungeing and Long Reining – Jenny Loriston-Clark
  • Long Reining (DVD) – Wilfried Gehrmann
  • Schooling Horses in Hand (DVD) – Richard Hinrichs
  • Classical Dressage, part 4 (DVD) – Philippe Karl
  • Lunge and In-Hand Work – Philippe Karl
  • The Art of Classical Dressage (video) part 4: Work in Hand – Authur Kottas

Teaching

  • USDF Teaching Manual – USDF (R) **
  • Teaching Exercises: A Manual for Instructors and Riders – Major Anders Lindgren (R)
  • Training with Kyra Kyrklund (Video Series, Volume 2: The Rider’s Seat and Balance) – Kyra Kyrklund (R)

Other Required and Strongly Recommended Items

  • USEF Rulebook – USEF (R)
  • The Dressage Horse – Harry Boldt (SR)

Other Suggested Reading and Videos/DVDs

  • USDF On the Levels, current edition (DVD) – USDF
  • Program for Better Riding: Books 1-5 – Eckart Meyners
  • The Art of Horsemanship – Xenophon (Available as Audio Book)
  • USPC Manual of Horsemanship: Intermediate Horsemanship Through C Level – Susan Harris
  • USPC Manual of Horsemanship: Advanced Horsemanship Through B/H-A/A Level – Susan Harris
  • Ecole de Cavalerie (The School of Horsemanship) – R. de La Gueriniere
  • Dressage: A Guidebook for the Road to Success – Alfred Knopfhart **
  • Equine Locomotion – Willem Back and Dr. Hilary Clayton
  • Group Lessons - The Instructor’s Handbook – British Horse Society

If you have any further questions, contact the Instructor/Trainer Program Liaison at (859) 971-2277 or instructorcertification@usdf.org