Welcome to the Classical Dressage Journal/Horse of Kings...a publication bringing you the voice of the greatest riding masters from throughout the ages, and from today.

We invite you to explore the time honored practices and techniques included in this new magazine, presented in a collection of thoughts, ideas, training methods and philosophies. This collection is actually centuries in the making, and available for the first time in a journal to give the serious dressage rider access to information that has been passed down through the ages.

Whereas most dressage magazines in the US and elsewhere seem to focus primarily on the competitive side of dressage, which is heavily dominated by Germany and Holland, CDJ will focus more on training than showing, and it will have a wider scope that includes all of the classical European traditions, French (De La Gueriniere as well as Baucher), Portuguese, Spanish, German, and the Spanish Riding School tradition of Vienna.

Contributors: We are inviting members of the classical schools (Cadre Noir - Saumur, Escola Portuguesa de Arte Equestre - Queluz, Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre - Jerez, Spanish Riding School - Vienna), as well as other advanced trainers from the various traditions to contribute regularly to CDJ with articles.

Culture: We furthermore want to go beyond training articles, and introduce the reader to the Culture of classical dressage with its traditions, its philosphy, its axioms, and its etiquette.

History: CDJ will provide its readers with insights into how dressage evolved and changed over the course of the centuries. We will print exclusive translations of excerpts from historical texts that have hitherto not been available in English. We will feature articles on prominent classical trainers, old masters and contemporary trainers alike, introducing their philosophy and their techniques. We will provide information on the traditional dressage breeds, as well as stud farms that breed dressage horses in the US as well as in Europe. These breed articles will bridge the gulf that existed in recent decades between warmbloods and baroque horses, quite in keeping with the trend of the last decade among warmblood owners and trainers to embrace the Iberian horses in increasing numbers alongside their warmbloods. Most magazines tend to specialize in either baroque horses or warmbloods, but we want to appeal to the aficionados of both and show how dressage will help *every* horse to reach his athletic potential, *regardless of which breed* or type he belongs to.

Art: Since we view dressage as an art, we want to present it within a context of other works of art, especially paintings, sculptures, and photographs that depict horses.

Sport: Dressage has an undeniable athletic component for both horse and rider. Therefore, CDJ will feature a regular column with health and fitness tips that focus especially on how to stretch the rider's typical problem areas, and how to develop the necessary core muscle strength and stamina.

Spirituality: Dressage also has a spiritual dimension. That is why we will explore the connection between dressage, Zen, Taoism, and the martial arts in regular contributions. We welcome the readers's suggestions of authors whose articles they would like to read, and of subjects on which they would like to see more information.

Include the Classical Dressage Journal in your individual quest to seek the knowledge of classical riding, and listen to the voice of the masters as you continue to learn and improve in this beautiful art.