The Sport Horse Problem Solver

""To me it is not about the top competitions, the winning, and the medals--it is the relationships I form with my horses, built on trust, that are absolutely my priority. It is well worth reading Eric Smiley's The Sport Horse Problem Solver as he is very much an all-around horseman and a very successful trainer. His book will help solve the common problems that we all experience in a patient, calm, and humane way. It is so not about force with horses; force creates fear, not trust. We need empathy and a confident partnership in which your horse understands you are doing everything to help him. In my opinion, this is the only way. Eric's book is all of this--and a good read."" --Pippa Funnell, Three-Time Olympic Medalist and Winner of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing ""Eric is one of those rare individuals who combines a natural, practical approach in his training of horse and rider with genuine intellectual curiosity. We as riders, coaches and trainers-and therefore the horses- are all the fortunate beneficiaries of his clearly communicated wisdom."" --Robert Costello, Member of the USA Eventing Team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics; Top Ten Finisher at Rolex Kentucky, Fair Hill International, and Burghley; and Chef d'Equipe of the 2022 Silver Medal USEF Land Rover Eventing team at the Eventing World Championships in Pratoni, Italy.""In Eric Smiley's latest book, he articulates his profound understanding of the mental and physical development of both horses and riders. He emphasizes patience, introspection, and progressive training to address problems and to enhance confidence and performance. Regardless of your level of riding or your horse's education, this book has something to teach everyone. In addition to reading his books, I've been fortunate to ride in clinics with Eric. He always shares his wisdom related to producing horses through the levels of eventing, and his insight has had a lasting impact on my career and my horses' development. Throughout this book, he continues to clearly explain the methods and strategies to support positive learning and experiences."" --Ariel Grald, International 5* Event Rider, Winner of a Team Silver Medal at the 2022 World Eventing Championships""Eric Smiley has spent a lifetime with horses, both as a successful international rider and also as a highly qualified and regarded trainer. This book brings a wonderful fresh approach to all aspects of training a horse and shows the deep understanding Eric has to the complexities of producing a horse, but put in a very simple and understandable way. It will be a wonderful 'go-to' reference point for riders of all ages and abilities who want to improve the training and rideability of their horse, whether a riding club hack or 5* eventer."" --Sir Mark Todd, KNZM CBE, Seven-time Olympian in Eventing with gold medals at Los Angeles (1984) and Seoul (1988), five wins at Burghley Horse Trials, and four wins at Badminton Horse Trials ""Eric Smiley's wonderful new book is called The Sport Horse Problem Solver. That is a tactful choice of words, because it OUGHT to be entitled The Sport Horse RIDER Problem Solver. The horses wouldn't have all those problems if we riders were knowledgeable enough and skilled enough not to create them. Eric must have been using me as a model, because I think I have created just about each and every problem that he enumerates and suggests strategies for alleviating. 'Live and learn, ' as they say, but I'd have learned sooner and created far fewer issues with many fewer horses that needed to be corrected if I'd had Eric's new book as a guide."" --Denny Emerson, author of How Good Riders Get Good, Know Better to Do Better and Begin and Begin Again""I cannot tell you how excited I am for this book! From the first time I met Eric Smiley, over twenty years ago, and experienced his teaching methods, I knew he was a 'how-to-make-it-all-better' clinician. There was no 'cookie-cutter formula' for his training programs. Eric is a problem solver, and with every learning opportunity he presents a methodical approach based on long-lasting awareness and thought process. I am incredibly delighted with the content of The Sport Horse Problem Solver and can easily hear Eric's voice--enjoy the journey with him! You will be better for reading!"" --Beth Lendrum, Eric Smiley Clinic Organizer, USEF Eventing Sport and Owners Task Force Committee Member and Former USEA Board of Governors Member ""It is a truism to say that the best coaches are those who are themselves great students. For the 40 years I have been his supporter and colleague, Eric Smiley has always been a great student. Always listening, always questioning, always thoughtful, he never rests on his laurels but continually looks for new challenges and better ideas. This attitude, combined with his wide experience, gives his words special value."" --William Micklem, Equestrian Consultant, Writer, Creator of the Micklem Bridle ""Eric puts himself into the mind and skin of the horse, so his advice has obvious feeling at its heart--what it feels like to be a horse."" --Christopher Bartle, Performance Coach British Eventing Team, Olympic Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medalist, and Author of Training the Sport Horse ""Eric has always had an incredible ability to break down any problems with a sympathetic and easily understood method--often with a great sense of humor added to take the sting out of any constructive criticism."" --Ian Stark, OBE, Winner of Four Olympic Silver Medals in Eventing and Cross-Country Course Designer ""There is no doubt this title will bring you approachable methods to make improvements in your equestrian endeavors and relationship with your horse, regardless of which riding discipline you favor. ...Highly approachable and an easy read."" --Catskill Horse Magazine ""If you get flummoxed by the pyramid of dressage training, or if you sometimes have trouble figuring out what the dressage judge actually meant by those comments, The Sport Horse Problem Solver will help you make sns of it all--and will point the way toward better riding and training."" --US Dressage Connection