Kip Mistral

Equestrian Culture and Classical Traditions to Inspire the Modern Rider

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  • Moving Sabbatical!

     Moving Sabbatical!

  • Book Review: “Fragments from the Writings of Max Ritter von Weyrother, Austrian …

     Book Review: “Fragments from the Writings of Max Ritter von Weyrother, Austrian Imperial and Royal Oberbereiter” Vienna 1836

“A Good Seat: Three Months at the Riding Institute Von Neindorff” by Lynne Sprinsky Echols, Part III, Final in the Series

“A Good Seat: Three Months at the Riding Institute Von Neindorff” by Lynne Sprinsky Echols, Part III, Final in the Series

(@ 2003-2018 Lynne Sprinsky Echols. This excerpt from Chapter One is used with the author’s permission and is the final segment in the series. The author describes in fascinating detail the three months that, along with her friend Meredith, she spent in intensive training with Herr Egon von Neindorff at his world-renowned riding school in Karlsruhe, Germany…in search of “a good seat”. Feature image by Johann Elias Ridinger, from “The New Riding School” titled The Pirouette.) Please see Part I here: https://www.kipmistral.com/a-good-seat-three-months-at-the-riding-institute-von-neindorff-by-lynne-sprinsky-echols-part-i-in-the-series/ and Part II here: https://www.kipmistral.com/a-good-seat-three-months-at-the-riding-institute-von-neindorff-by-lynne-sprinsky-echols-part-ii-in-the-series/.  For a tribute to Melissa Simms, who is featured in this segment as heir to Herr Neindorff’s work and who passed away early this year, see https://www.kipmistral.com/tressa-boulden-linsley-in-tribute-to-melissa-simms-11-19-52-2-14-18/.

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“Horseman Pass By”: Riding the Wild Atlantic Way in William Butler Yeats’ Ireland

“Horseman Pass By”: Riding the Wild Atlantic Way in William Butler Yeats’ Ireland
(© Kip Mistral 2018)
Cast a cold eye
On life, on death.
Horseman, pass by!
~ William Butler Yeats, from “Under Ben Bulben”

“Beaches, Dunes and Trails: This unguided ride is for experienced and resourceful horse people who are prepared to take all responsibility for themselves and their mounts for a week,” the description began…

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“A GOOD SEAT: THREE MONTHS AT THE RIDING INSTITUTE VON NEINDORFF” BY LYNNE SPRINSKY ECHOLS, PART II IN THE SERIES

“A GOOD SEAT: THREE MONTHS AT THE RIDING INSTITUTE VON NEINDORFF” BY LYNNE SPRINSKY ECHOLS, PART II IN THE SERIES

(@ 2003-2018 Lynne Sprinsky Echols. This excerpt from Chapter One is used with the author’s permission and and the entirety will be posted in a series. The author describes in fascinating detail the three months that, along with her friend Meredith, she spent in intensive training with Herr Egon von Neindorff at his world-renowned riding school in Karlsruhe, Germany…in search of “a good seat”. Feature image presumed by Johann Elias Ridinger.) Please see Part I here: https://www.kipmistral.com/a-good-seat-three-months-at-the-riding-institute-von-neindorff-by-lynne-sprinsky-echols-part-i-in-the-series/ and Part III here: https://www.kipmistral.com/a-good-seat-three-months-at-the-riding-institute-von-neindorff-by-lynne-sprinsky-echols-part-iii-in-the-series/. View Post

Paul Belasik: “The Grand Silence”

Paul Belasik: “The Grand Silence”

(© Paul Belasik, from “The Songs of Horses,” first published 1999. Reprinted with permission of the author and The Crowood Press. “Louis XV hunting deer in the forest of Saint Germain” by Jean-Baptiste Oudry. This story was inspired by the 18th century écuyer to King Louis XV, Louis Cazeau de Nestier, also called The Grand Silence. It is said that the rider on the grey horse on the left side of this painting is Nestier.)

Somewhere in the countryside near Paris, 1735…

It is ironic to say that I had heard of his great horsemanship, since he was known as the Grand Silence. I had seen him hunting near Paris, where I once had lived. I have to say that I thought of him then more as the Great Arrogance or the Great Pomposity. It was through the following twist of fate that I met him.

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News! Official Author at Equus Film Festival Los Angeles Tour Stop in June!

News! Official Author at Equus Film Festival Los Angeles Tour Stop in June!

The director of the Equus Film Festival, Lisa Diersen, and organizer of the Equus Film Festival Los Angeles Tour Stop 2018, Naomi Boinus, have been so kind as to invite me to the Los Angeles Tour Stop (June 15-17 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center) as the “Official Author”. This is a surprise and a real honor. I will have a table, so if you will be in Los Angeles that weekend, come on by! This will be great fun and I’m really looking forward to it!

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