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The American Hunter-Jumper Forward Riding System

 

 

american forward riding system

Get the entire DVD collection for only $135 

EquestrianCoach.com presents over 5-hours of video instruction (6 discs) addressing the “How-To” of the American Hunter/Jumper Forward Riding System in this unique DVD collection. Bernie Traurig (Medal/Maclay Finals winner & National Show Hunter Hall of Fame Inductee) has reached the top of the sport in all 3 of the International Equestrian Olympic disciplines: Show Jumping, Dressage, and Eventing.  Bernie has produced this series to encapsulate the fundamental elements of the Forward Riding System; position, control & schooling.

•  Building Blocks to a Great Position Parts 1 - 5

•  Controls of the Horse Part 1: Rein Aids & Part 2: Leg Aids

•  Fundamentals of Flatwork - A Progressive Training System
    Basic - Intermediate - Advanced

All the videos in this collection are available online to Monthly and Annual members of the site. For our subscription options, please click here. Links to all these videos can be found below.


 

 

This system is composed of three interacting elements:

Three Interacting Elements

 

 

 

 

This diagram is in
Captain Vladimir S. Littauer’s
own handwriting from the
middle of the 20th Century.

 

 

 

 

 

CORE VIDEO TOPICS

The following are the core video topics on this site that address the “How To” of the System. They were produced by Bernie Traurig and are a reflection of his many years of hands-on study with and mentoring by Captain Vladimir S. Littauer.  Additional invaluable input came from his time with Bert de Nemethy and associations with Bill Steinkraus, George Morris, Paul Cronin, and many others, too numerous to mention.

Position:

Building Blocks Part OneBuilding Blocks Part TwoBuilding Block Part ThreeBuilding Blocks Part FourBuilding Blocks Part Five

 

Control:

Controls of the Horse - Rein AidsControls of the Horse Part Two - Leg Aids

 

Schooling:

Fundamentals Of Flatwork - A Riding Simplified Progressive Training System

Fundamentals of Flatwork - BasicFundamentals of Flatwork - IntermediateFundamentals of Flatwork - Advanced

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Videos are added monthly and there are many valuable additional topics by various World-Class & Olympic guest coaches that relate to the System.
 

  

 

HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN HUNTER/JUMPER FORWARD RIDING SYSTEM

Cavalry officers in 1929 at the Cavalry school, Tor di Quinto, demonstrate their riding and jumping skills with the relatively new forward riding methods introduced into the Italian cavalry by Federico Caprilli in 1904 and fully adopted by 1907. 

Video Clip Of The Italian Cavalry 1929  - A Must See!

 

 

Since the turn of the 20th century to the present, there have been and still are many great riders, trainers, and teachers, too numerous to mention, who have and continue to modernize, improve and contribute to this system.

Pre Caprilli


Pre Caprilli

During the 1800’s it was advised that the rider should use his hands to both “help the horse to lift the front” during take off and to hold the horse up when landing. Riders were instructed to “bend their body back from the hips upward over the cantle.” When jumping down, then “the best horsemen almost touch the horse’s croup.” In 1902, James Fillis published Breaking and Riding, in which the rider is told to “bring his body back” as the horse begins to land from a jump. The reason for this is to “lighten the forehand” and help the rider “keep his seat and support his horse in case the animal’s forelegs give way.

 

The following are some of the masters who have had a profound influence on forward riding in America and throughout the world:

 

Federico Caprilli

 

Frederico Caprilli

Federico Caprilli introduced his system of forward riding into the Italian Cavalry School in 1904.  View more...

 

 

Piero Santini

 

Maj. Piero Santini

Piero Santini was a devoted student of Caprilli and an author. View more...

 

 

 

Harry Chamberlin

 
Brig. Gen. Harry D. Chamberlin

General Chamberlin, before his death in 1944, was generally acknowledged to be America’s greatest horseman. View more...

 

Llittauer

 

 

Captain Vladimir S. Littauer (1892-1989)

Capt. Littauer was arguably the most outstanding proponent of Forward Riding in America. View more...

 

 

 

 

  

 Gordon Wright


Gordon Wright

Gordon Wright was universally acclaimed as one of the most influential horseman of his generation. View more...

 

 

 
 

 

deNemethy

 

Bertalan de Nemethy

Bert was the Coach of the United States Equestrian Team from 1955-1980. View more...
 

 

 

Steinkraus

 

William Steinkraus

Bill Steinkraus’ style epitomizes the “American Forward Seat.” View more...

 

 

 

George Morris

 

 

George Morris   

George Morris is considered to be one of the most influential trainers in the history of equestrian sports. View more...
 

 

 

Paul Cronin


Paul Cronin

Paul Cronin’s understanding and advocacy of the American Forward Riding System is unsurpassed. View more...