Kip Mistral

Equestrian Culture and Classical Traditions to Inspire the Modern Rider

Recent Posts

  • François Robichon de La Guérinière – An Insightful Analysis of “…

     François Robichon de La Guérinière – An Insightful Analysis of “L’Ecole de Cavalerie”

  • UNCUT: “Up in Heaven” — The Full Interview with Walter Zettl

     UNCUT: “Up in Heaven” — The Full Interview with Walter Zettl

  • Un Cheval de Phidias

     Un Cheval de Phidias

  • I Call Myself Stradivarius

     I Call Myself Stradivarius

  • The Treacherous Water Horse

     The Treacherous Water Horse

  • Do You Know Where Your Right Leg Is?

     Do You Know Where Your Right Leg Is?

Do You Know Where Your Right Leg Is?

Do You Know Where Your Right Leg Is?

(“The Two Horse Act,” color lithograph originally published in 1874 by Gibson & Co, Cincinnati)

I had to laugh when I wanted a feature image for this post and this amusing Victorian circus act image that I saved some time ago floated up to the top of my extensive gallery of artwork.

Everything about this image is fascinating. The audience as a group oddly seems to be either looking in front of the “two horse act” or behind it. Yet each person’s individualistic face and his or her details from headwear to clothing is drawn carefully. The mustachioed rider understandably has a preoccupied expression, balanced atop two horses as he is, guiding them (on loose reins, I might add!) as they run at frenetic speed in a small ring, and at the same time holding out a perky lass with golden ringlets who stands with her right foot on his manly thigh…with her left ankle extended out of sight.

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Book Review: “Dressage Principles and Techniques: A Blueprint for the Serious Rider” by Miguel Tavora

Book Review: “Dressage Principles and Techniques: A Blueprint for the Serious Rider” by Miguel Tavora

(© 2020 Kip Mistral. Images and excerpts used with permission of the publisher Xenophon Press.)

“The horse must always feel comfortable in all equestrian activities. This is how we show him our love and respect.” 

I read books about classical training and riding techniques all the time (and have even co-authored one), but I find “Dressage Principles and Techniques” by renowned Portuguese classical dressage trainer Major Miguel Tavora, published by Xenophon Press in 2018, to be extraordinary.

It is extraordinary because this author is able to teach a complete, well-illustrated program of basic classical equitation and training in great detail, and combine high seriousness about the importance of classical method and technique with repeated reminders to treat the horse with understanding, kindness, love and respect…all this written in simple and easy-to-follow language, in only 158 pages. Those 158 pages will take you from terminology and theory to first longeing to work in-hand to canter pirouette, piaffe and passage. Finally, here is the thought-provoking yet very useful book you really can take to the barn.

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Order in the Time of Chaos – Thoughts On the Beauty of Balance

Order in the Time of Chaos – Thoughts On the Beauty of Balance

(© Kip Mistral 2020. Painting by Alexander Pock 1940, Spanish Riding School Levade.)

When as a child I first read Marguerite Henry’s wonderful book about the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, titled “The White Stallion of Lipizza,” equally wonderfully illustrated by her creative partner Wesley Dennis, I was fascinated with the idea of a supremely orderly program of learning and teaching a venerable and highly cultivated horsemanship.

This was no haphazard affair like the way my friends and I learned to ride…we were told to get on, kick to go, pull back on the reins to stop and neck rein. Then off we tore with our kind-hearted and forbearing mounts, all asses and elbows for too long as we learned the hard way.

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How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Ways…

How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Ways…

(Photographer unknown. Colorization by Kip Mistral.)

What is the story behind this old photograph? Let’s write it together…leave your version in a comment!

Moving Sabbatical!

Moving Sabbatical!

(Costume design for a carrousel of King Louis XIV from the studio of Jean Bérain 1640-1711)

Kipmistral.com is going on a short sabbatical while Kip and Val are moving to Tucson in the beginning of July **AND** expanding the website platform to include regularly scheduled articles, book and video reviews, short film creations, recordings, podcast interviews with today’s classical masters and other persons of the highest calibre of expertise, and new products. If you are not sure that you have joined the email list, please do! Your entry will not be duplicated in the event you have joined previously. I will soon have lots of news for you. Happy Trails for now!