The Italian Tradition of Equestrian Art by G.B.Tomassini

In the mid-sixteenth century, a Neapolitan nobleman named Federico Grisone changed the course of horsemanship forever. With the publication of the first printed book devoted entirely to the training of horses—both for war and for the correction of their “defects”—he ignited a revolution in equestrian thought. The book was an instant success, inspiring generations of authors and giving birth to the rich and enduring tradition of equestrian treatises.

It was no accident that this revolution began in Italy. Between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, Italian courts became the beating heart of a new aristocratic culture in which riding was both an art and a symbol of refinement. Italian riding masters were in high demand across Europe, and young nobles traveled south to study with the most celebrated teachers of the age. From these exchanges emerged the foundations of classical European equitation.

Following the thread of these influential treatises, this book traces the sweeping history of Italian and European horsemanship—from the Renaissance to the dawn of the twentieth century. Along the way, it explores the evolution of riding techniques, the cultural and political forces that shaped them, and their deep connections to the great events of European history. The narrative is populated by legendary masters, spirited rivalries between competing schools, and feats of riding that captured the imagination of their age.

The journey culminates with another Italian visionary, Federico Caprilli, whose revolutionary approach to jumping transformed riding once again and remains the basis of modern technique today.

Richly illustrated with period paintings, frescoes, and engravings drawn from the original texts, this volume brings the living world of classical horsemanship vividly to life. Scholarly yet highly readable, it is an essential and fascinating addition to the library of every serious rider and equestrian historian.

Giovanni Battista Tomassini is a journalist and independent researcher specializing in literature and history. He is the author of several published works and the creator of worksofchivalry.com, a blog devoted to equestrian culture, with particular emphasis on the Italian Renaissance tradition of riding manuals.

ISBN13:: 9780933316386