my favorite authors X 3 - franz mairinger, tom roberts, and erik herbermann AND PONIES!

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during these last few weeks, a raging and somewhat contentious battle has ensued on the unlikely topic of dressage, the classical training of the horse and rider.  many have decried it is "elitist", others claimed it wasn't a "sport" because the rider just sits there while the horse does all the work.  still others claim there is no athleticism involved.  however, that isn't what i want to share tonite.

i hope to pique your interest by introducing you to three of my favorite authors who have much to say about the philosophy of the horse, and, yes, they all three are(were) world renound classical dressage riders and teachers.  now, mind you, i could also add goethe, voltaire, aristotle as well as many more who draw parallels with our development as sentient beings to our relationships with horses, but for tonite, i'll stick to the three authors mentioned (mostly due to time and spatial constraints on the topic).

if you haven't run away yet, let me further try to entice you to stick with me after the squiggle by this apropos quote by franz mairinger, the australian writer/horseman who speaks of democracy.  (WHA?  democracy - horses?  uh…. how the heck?!?)

The fight for freedom runs like a thread through the history of mankind, and the hope of every revolution is democracy.

Why democracy?  Simply because democracy means freedom and guarantees freedom for every member of the community within the boundary of its duties towards the people.  The meaning of freedom and democracy is often misinterpreted.  Many people think that in a democracy everyone can do as he pleases, but that is not so.  A democracy does not give freedom, it gives responsibility.

Mairinger, Franz, Horses are made to be Horses (Howell Book House, Inc., 1983), p. 18

huh?  "but you said this diary was about HORSES!", you ask.  well, yep.  it is.  and that author is one of the top riders of his day - and he stated this in the prologue of his book.  "what does that have to do with horses," you grumble?  

well, follow me below the pirouette of the squiggle and find out!  i dare ya!