The revealing autobiography of one of the world's top horsemenAndrew Nicholson is one of the world's leading event riders. At only 23, he rode in his first Olympics in Los Angeles in 1984, and has represented his native New Zealand in six Olympic Games and six world championships, winning medals of every color. Andrew is respected and admired by his peers and sporting fans as a brilliant rider and competitor. Now in his 50s, he is at the peak of his powers and, with the best team of horses he has ever had, is focused on winning one of the very few prizes to elude him-an individual gold medal-at the 2016 Rio Olympics. This book tells the story of the boy from a farm in New Zealand who came to Britain as a raw 19-year-old and conquered one of the most demanding sports in the world. Illustrated with superb photographs of Andrew's career and life with horses, it reveals how he got to the top and how hard he still strives to up his game. We discover the personalities of his top horses, and the secrets he has learned in his 35 years as a horseman.

Mike Tucker was born into a life of farming and horses. His passion and hard work enabled him to progress from international groom to successful international event rider, top level Eventing official and television commentator. The pinnacle of Mike's career as a commentator was covering Nick Skelton's Gold Medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016 for the BBC.In `The Man Behind the Mike' we learn about Mike's family history and the connection with the Badminton Estate where his grandfather farmed; The Beaufort Pony Club, a huge influence in his life with many top level riders being members; a visit to Australia, staying with the Roycroft family, which proved to be a pivotal moment in his efforts to become a successful event rider; and about Mike's second place at Badminton, which laid the foundations of his credibility as a rider and commentator. The `voice behind the microphone' had the experience and knowledge to commentate with authority and to command respect from the listening public at venues of not just horse trials but also show jumping, dressage, and shows in general. The wealth of experience and lifetime involvement in the world of equestrian sport has enabled him to travel all over the world meeting many different people and sharing his expertise. We are told many funny, revealing, fascinating and sometimes sad anecdotes of his experiences of the successes and failures along the way and we are given a true insight into the real stories behind the headlines, and `The Man Behind the Mike'.

Including all necessary information to run a successful business, this book covers the selection of location and shop premises, buying stock, engaging staff, displaying goods, keeping accounts, dealing with cash flow, and VAT. The author also advises on mail order and internet sales, publicity and marketing.

The London 2012 Olympic medalist on his stunning comeback. Mark Todd's eventing career is the stuff of legends and encompasses one of the greatest sporting comebacks of all time. When he 'retired' from competing in eventing in 2000, he had already been named 'Rider of the Century' for his natural empathy with a horse and his extraordinary success, which included back-to-back Olympic gold medals, five Burghley wins and three Badminton victories. He has also show jumped to Olympic level and trained winners on the racecourse.

Considered a legendary horseman by his peers, he seemed to have done it all. He returned to train racehorses in his native New Zealand but, eight years later, the idea of a comeback took root, part dare, part personal challenge to see if he could still cut it in a changed sport. Within eight months, he was riding at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and in 2011 he hit the headlines by becoming the oldest rider to win Badminton.

This was soon eclipsed by his stunning win at the London 2012 Olympics, however. The story of his progress from dairy farmer to world renown, is told with typically laid-back humour, but it reveals the fierce determination, discipline and personal sacrifice which lies behind the relaxed outlook.

Certain to inspire unbridled pleasure in horse lovers and nature photography enthusiasts, this magnificent volume celebrates 50 horse breeds and the leading institutions of equestrian culture around the globe. The book visits the most renowned riding schools, the most spectacular sporting events, and the most moving, evocative, and colourful folkloristic events. It includes the ancient traditions of the Palio di Siena, snow polo in St. Moritz, the Riding School of Vienna, the Queen's horses and the Olympia Horse Show in London, rodeos in the USA, the Litang Horse Festival in China, and the world's richest race, the Dubai World Cup. SUSANNA COTTICA is an equestrian journalist for the magazines Cavalli & Cavallieri and Il Mio Cavallo and the editor of the Italian translation of Carnet de Champion by French Olympic rider Michel Robert. She is a third level F.I.S.E. (Italian Equestrian Federation) instructor and a rider who specialises in show jumping. LUCA PAPARELLI has nearly twenty years' professional experience as a journalist in the field of equestrian sports and horse breeding, covering related news for Cavalli & Cavalieri and Il Mio Cavallo magazines. As one of the world's leading experts, he is a frequent speaker at major breeders' events.

A systematic, comprehensive, classical, and fair method of horse training.When problems occur during a horse's dressage training, all too often the trainer neglects to ask why and this guide endeavors to find the answers to this question. While demonstrating ways in which a horse's weaknesses can be systematically corrected, the book also details quiet and effective ways of developing a horse's strengths. Placing particular value on a method of schooling that avoids force, and builds consistently on an understanding of the horse's anatomy, the aim of the training approach is harmony in movement, which can only be achieved when the rider proceeds carefully and systematically. Topics include the biomechanics of the horse, the principle of balance before movement, how to work different types of horses, developing collection through lateral work, the flying change as a valuable tool, the pirouette for bend, and perfecting collection through piaffe and passage.