How Two Minds Meet: The Mental Dynamics of Dressage, Paperback

Beth Baumert's first book, When Two Spines Align: Dressage Dynamics, was a popular and critical success. Lauded by Olympian Carl Hester as the book he most frequently quotes at clinics, it examined the ways the physical bodies of horse and rider work together--the physics behind riding in balance. In Baumert's new book How Two Minds Meet, she takes us beyond physical harmony to look at the minds of both horse and rider, each complete with its own set of emotions and mental capabilities. Readers will explore:

• How the mind of the horse works.
• The rider's "two minds"--the analytical mind and the sensory dimension of the mind (with which the horse more readily identifies).
• Specific ways to get into the "non-thinking place" where the best communication between horse and rider takes place.
• Principles of Learning that enable riders to improve the use of the traditional, knowledge-accumulating part of their brains.
• Nine ideas for boosting your ability to learn, retain, and apply knowledge that's useful in training horses.
• Methods for organizing and "filing" information so it can be best utilized.
• How to ensure the horse is physically comfortable (balanced) under saddle to allow for a meeting of the minds in the first place.

Not only does Baumert explain how to optimize the use of the "thinking mind" in order to become a better learner in the saddle, she provides techniques for maximizing mental and emotional harmony with the horse, a state of unity that feels so good, Baumert calls it the "charming addiction"--once a rider has it, she wants to attain it again and again. Feeding this addiction is possible, says Baumert, with the thoughtful, practical insight she shares in these pages.

About author(s):Beth Baumert was the initial editor for Dressage Today magazine and later served as its technical editor for nearly 25 years. In that capacity, Beth was in constant contact with the best dressage riders in the world as they discussed and wrote about the technical aspects of dressage. From this depth of knowledge, Beth wrote her first book, When Two Spines Align, It continues to serve as a "bible" for serious dressage riders. A German edition comes out in 2020.

Beth's primary commitment has always been studying dressage and teaching. She has been a USDF Certified Instructor since nearly the inception of the program, and she continues to support the program by hosting annual retreats and encouraging young trainers through the program. She is an "L" graduate with distinction of the USDF judges training program. For many years, she produced videos of the Aachen Dressage Show, as well as other instructional videos/DVDs, so American dressage riders could aspire to the European standard.

Beth is President and CEO of The Dressage Foundation (TDF). She has been involved with the foundation since 2000. The mission of TDF is to cultivate and provide financial support for the advancement of dressage in the United States. To that end, TDF awards grants, scholarships and prizes to promising riders, instructors, trainers, judges and breeders of dressage horses.

Beth and Alan, her husband of more than 50 years, divide their time between Wellington, Florida and Columbia Lake, Connecticut.