Bibliothèque mondiale du cheval

« The object of this book is to present, in a popular form, one of the modern theories on jumping. I lay emphasis on the words modern theories — the latest developments in this art.
Jumping on horseback existed long before it developed into an art. Many experiments were made by sportsmen during the past hundred years. Many theories, good and bad were evolved. The art of jumping was slowly progressing during this time, gradually becoming a science, greatly aided by the invention of the moving - picture camera, and especially by the slow motion films. It was only during the past fifteen or twenty years, that the action of the horse on the jump could be observed and studied accurately; not during the extremely fast motion of the jump itself, but by the exactness shown in the slow motion film. This is why, without being far from the truth, we say that our forefathers knew very little about jumping. It was impossible for them to begin to know as much as we do today; they did not have the facilities for study which our century offers. The results of this study are that while conserving the horse’s energy, we are at the same time able to obtain much greater jumps, both in height and breadth, than ever before.
Once the exact action of the horse on the jump was understood, it was possible to realize what the rider must do, and how the horse must be schooled. I am sure that our knowledge is still insufficient; future generations will be able to obtain even greater results. They must, for there is no end to progress.
The gradual development of the art of jumping is merely a part of the development of the art of riding in general. Horseback riding existed for many hundreds of years, and in the course of this time went through many changes in ideals and principles.
I will outline briefly in the first chapter , before attempting to explain what modern equitation thinks of jumping, how the mode of riding and jumping a horse changed in the course of centuries. Then I will expound the theory of the elements used by the horse going over the bars. I hope that the reader will then be able to see the mistakes made by the past generation of sportsmen and perhaps correct some that still remain. » Présentation de l’éditeur (1931)