Historical Master Collection: de Pluvinel Newcastle, Regenthal, d'Eisenberg
Enjoy all 4 classics in this value bundle that spans almost 2 centuries:
Antoine de Pluvinel (1552–1620) is rightly regarded as the founder of the French classical riding school and one of the most influential figures in the history of dressage. Tutor to King Louis XIII, he set down his ideas in The Maneige Royal, a work that shaped European horsemanship for generations. Pluvinel championed harmony, suppleness, and intelligence in training, introducing innovations such as work between two pillars and the systematic use of shoulder-in to develop balance and flexibility—principles that remain central to classical riding today.
William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle (1593–1676) was a legendary English horseman whose ideas bridged aristocratic riding traditions and modern classical principles. In A New Method of Horsemanship (1667), he advocated a remarkably gentle and thoughtful approach, emphasizing understanding, reward, and respect rather than force. Cavendish believed that good training should work with the horse’s natural movement and temperament, laying a philosophical foundation for dressage that still resonates with riders who value patience and refinement over domination.
Johann Christoph von Regenthal stands as a towering figure in Austrian horsemanship and the early history of the Spanish Riding School. As Chief Rider from 1709 to 1730, he distilled his teachings into a Treasury of Directives.... that emphasized a perfected seat, precise aids, and kindness in training—hallmarks of the classical school. Though never printed in his lifetime and preserved only in manuscript, Regenthal’s work was rediscovered after nearly three centuries and finally published in German in 1996, and now available in our exclusive English edition revealing a master whose technical depth and humane philosophy place him among the great riding teachers of Europe.
Friedrich Wilhelm Baron Reis von Eisenberg (1685–1764) combined privilege with prodigious effort to become one of the most accomplished écuyers of his age. Trained across Europe—from German courts to Italy and Vienna—he absorbed the finest traditions of haute école, including the influence of Regenthal himself. Uniquely, d’Eisenberg was not only a master rider and teacher but also an artist, illustrating his own work, The Art of Riding a Horse, or Description of Modern Manege, and leaving behind a rich legacy of instruction and imagery that continues to inspire and inform classical riders today.
