First published in 2015 by

      Trafalgar Square Books

      North Pomfret, Vermont 05053

      Copyright © 2015 Jessica Black

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, by any means, without written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer quoting brief excerpts for a review in a magazine, newspaper, or website.

       Disclaimer of Liability

      The authors and publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this book. While the book is as accurate as the authors can make it, there may be errors, omissions, and inaccuracies.

      Trafalgar Square Books encourages the use of approved safety helmets in all equestrian sports and activities.

       Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

      Black, Jessica, 1970-

      Cowboy dressage : : riding, training, and competing with kindness as the goal and guiding principle / Jessica Black, with Eitan and Debbie Beth-Halachmy.

      pages cm

      Includes bibliographical references and index.

      ISBN 978-1-57076-680-0

      1. Dressage. 2. Western riding. 3. Horses--Training. I. Beth-Halachmy, Eitan. II. Beth-Halachmy, Debbie. III. Title.

      SF309.5.B53 2015

      798.2’3--dc23

      2015015931

      All photographs by Lesley Deutsch except those noted on page xiii.

      Illustrations by Eitan Beth-Halachmy

      Book design by DOQ

      Cover design by RM Didier

      Typefaces: Trajan Pro, Chaparral Pro

      Index by Andrea M. Jones (www.jonesliteraryservice.com)

      Printed in China

      10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

      To feel for the slightest try,

      Try for the lightest touch.

      Lighten when you feel his sigh,

      Let him know what is enough.

      Promise your horse the truth:

      Let not your word be broken.

      He’ll understand what he’s to do

      If you ride with your heart…open.

       Lyrics from “Ride with Your Heart Open” by Juni Fisher.

      Juni Fisher shares a special relationship with her horses, a relationship that she has successfully portrayed in many songs such as “Ride with Your Heart Open,” from the album Listen…to Your Horse.