Baucher and his School (originally published in 1948) is an original biography of the "greatest Ecuyer of all time," FranCois Baucher (1796-1873). Albert Decarpentry comments on the discoveries of one of the most prolific innovators in Equestrian Art. This book comprises the equestrian biography of FranCois Baucher, an analytical examination of his method, and its lasting effect on French equitation. Decarpentry's treatise is essential for understanding the importance of Baucher, a phenomenal figure in the history of equitation.
Appendix I contains excerpts from the memoir of Louis Rul, clarified and completed by his friend Eugene Caron. Their personal accounts provide valuable firsthand anecdotes of the life and times of Baucher.
Appendix II consists of excerpts from "Monsieur Baucher and his Art: Serious Warning to the Riders of Germany" by Louis Seeger, Baucher's German rival. Seeger (also the teacher of Gustav Steinbrecht, Gymnasium of the Horse) studied Baucher's method with malevolent blindness, but also with indisputable competence. With rigorous examination, Seeger compares and contrasts his own method to Baucher's "nouvelle methode." His counter-argument sheds light on the 'German' versus 'French' dressage method that has endured even today.
FranCois Baucher's lasting influence on equitation is the evolution of his ideas to the concept of "riding in lightness." Baucher constantly questioned his own and the established methods, experimented and innovated through lifelong trial and error in search of the truth.
Commander of the Cavalry School at St. Cyr, Ecuyer and second in command of the Cadre Noir in Saumur, Albert Decarpentry, grandson of Eugene Caron and a student of Baucher, was considered the most knowledgeable Ecuyer of his generation. He contributed actively to the influence of French equitation in his many books and by writing the rules and definitions of the F.E.I. that are still used today. His account of Baucher's life is both informed and impartial.
Industry Reviews
It is with great pleasure that I am writing the forward for Michael Fletcher's translation of Baucher et son Ecole by Decarpentry. It is with profound sadness to all of us, that the passing of Michael will prevent him from seeing the result of his hard, difficult and very well-done work.
This book is important to all serious riders interested in studying the history of equitation and the influence of Baucher on today's riding. Francois Baucher was very controversial during his entire life and in his written works. He continually made changes according to his new experiences and studies. This constant evolution is paralleled in this book. His techniques have, in some cases, changed very drastically, but the principles remained the same, clearly explained in this treatise. The historical part of Baucher's life and the important influence on equitation are both presented, not only with respect to military equitation but, more importantly, the influence of equitation on the intellectual and artistic world of the time.
Once again, thank you, Michael and Richard Williams and Xenophon Press for making available to the English speaking riders such an enlightening, entertaining, and educational translation.
Major Miguel Tavora
