École de Cavalerie — Deluxe Large-Format Edition (Coming Late 2026) by François Robichon de La Guérinière

Advanced reservation edition

expected to be in print later in 2026

First published in 1733, École de Cavalerie by François Robichon de La Guérinière has shaped the principles of correct riding for nearly three centuries. More than any other single work, it established the systematic gymnastic training of the horse that remains the basis of classical dressage today. La Guérinière was the first to clearly explain how balance, suppleness, and straightness could be developed through carefully ordered exercises, most famously the shoulder-in, which he called “the first and last of all exercises.” His method replaced the forceful practices common in earlier riding traditions with a rational, progressive approach that sought harmony between horse and rider. The influence of École de Cavalerie extends through the great riding schools of Europe and into modern dressage, making it not merely an important historical document but one of the true foundations of the art of horsemanship.

Now, Xenophon Press presents a deluxe large-format 8.5 × 11 hardcover edition, designed for riders, historians, and collectors who want to study this landmark work in a format worthy of its importance. This is a brand new translation carefully reviewed by equestrian experts for clarity and accuracy. The expanded page size allows the celebrated engravings of the original edition to be reproduced at a scale that reveals their remarkable detail, giving readers a rare opportunity to closely examine the rider’s position, the horse’s posture, and the classical exercises that defined the art of riding in the great academies of eighteenth-century Europe.

This edition is intended not simply as a historical reprint but as a serious working reference for modern horsemen. La Guérinière’s observations on balance, lightness, and the progressive development of the horse remain strikingly practical for today’s riders. Studied carefully, the text reveals a coherent philosophy of training in which patience, clarity, and respect for the horse form the foundation of all true equitation.

Deluxe Edition Features

• Large-format 8.5 × 11 hardcover for comfortable study
• High-resolution reproductions of the original engravings and plates
• Carefully prepared modern English translation
• Premium casebound edition designed for durability and long-term reference
• An essential volume for riders, historians, and collectors of classical equestrian literature

Whether studied in the library or consulted in the tack room, this deluxe edition of École de Cavalerie allows readers to experience one of the most influential works in the history of horsemanship in a format that reflects its enduring importance.

Publication Details

Publisher: Xenophon Press
Format: Deluxe Hardcover
Trim Size: 8.5 × 11 inches
Expected Release: Late 2026

Reserve your copy and be among the first to own this landmark edition of one of the most important books ever written on the art of riding.