Vladimir Littauer
Encyclopedia
Captain Vladimir Stanislavovitch Littauer (January 10, 1892 – August 31, 1989) was an influential horseback riding
master and the author of books on educated riding and the training of horses. Littauer's riding instruction was in great demand during his lifetime by both riding instructors and amateurs and he was an early, important and controversial advocate of the forward seat riding system
. He wrote more than a dozen books between 1930 and 1973 which sparked vivid debates among experienced riders of various backgrounds. He also wrote many articles on forward riding (nowadays referred to as "hunt seat") for notable equestrian magazines of his day. His methods continue to be taught at Sweet Briar College
and other prominent riding programs.
of Russia
. Vladimir Littauer grew up in St. Petersburg. In the fall of 1911, at age 19, he entered the two year officer training program at the Nicholas Cavalry School in St. Petersburg. During his time in the school, Littauer's equestrian training was based on French dressage as taught by James Fillis
.
During the Summer Olympics of 1912, Russian cavalry officers who had spent time in Pinerolo, Italy learning methods pioneered by Captain Federico Caprilli distinguished themselves and excited much interest in Caprilli's new system of "forward riding;" a system which represented a repudiation of traditional manège-style dressage techniques. Littauer took notice. Around 1913 senior coronet Vladimir Sokolov introduced Littauer to Caprilli's revolutionary method of riding.
. During the nine years he served in the Russian Imperial Cavalry Littauer reached the rank of Captain. He fought in the 1st Sumsky Hussar Regiment through World War I and also fought for the czar in the Russian Civil War. Captain Littauer's war-time experiences demonstrated to him the impracticality and limitations of dressage for field riding and combat. He was later inspired to write, "The method of riding in the Russian cavalry was of the manège type, which today is usually called Dressage . . . This artificial system worked well on the parade ground, but not across country, and the experiences of war disappointed even its most ardent supporters."
He left military service, and his Russian homeland, in the early spring of 1920.
After coming to the United States in 1921, he took factory and sales jobs in New York City to help him learn to speak English. In 1927 he happened to meet two fellow former Russian cavalry officers in New York: Sergei N. Kournakoff and Kadir A. Guirey. Together the three founded the Boots and Saddles Riding School. Littauer, Kournakoff and Guirey started the school teaching principles of dressage they had learned in cavalry school, but soon they began experimenting with the radical and progressive Caprilli methods. The forward riding precepts of Caprilli proved more practical and accessible than traditional manège-influenced dressage for their civilian riding students who had limited time for riding and varying levels of fitness. Despite the Great Depression, the Boots and Saddles School thrived, adding a new ring and stables in New York City.
Littauer continued to teach and write for the next thirty years. He was a frequent guest lecturer at Sweet Briar College in Virginia where one of his students, Harriet Rogers, founded a riding program for the college. Over the years Captain V. S. Littauer conducted original research which, through his writing, resulted in major contributions to the sport of riding. In a 1972 speech, Rogers referred to Littauer as "the outstanding proponent of Forward Riding in this country." Former Director of the Sweet Briar College Riding Program and author Paul Cronin called Littauer "the most influential author and instructor in America in this century." Long-time Chronicle of the Horse contributor George Morris
cites Littauer in his list of "the greatest American authors" on riding.
Although Littauer retired from teaching in the late 1970s, he continued to write until the early 1980s. He died at his home on Long Island on August 31, 1989 at the age of 97. His personal library, including his instructional film and manuscript collection, resides at the National Sporting Library
in Middleburg, Virginia.
Vladimir Littauer was married to Mary Aiken Graver Littauer
in 1935 in New York City. They had one son, Andrew A. Littauer of Princeton, New Jersey.
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
master and the author of books on educated riding and the training of horses. Littauer's riding instruction was in great demand during his lifetime by both riding instructors and amateurs and he was an early, important and controversial advocate of the forward seat riding system
Hunt seat
Hunt seat is terminology used in the United States and Canada to refer to a style of forward seat riding commonly found at American horse shows. Along with Dressage, it is one of the two classic forms of English riding. The Hunt seat is based on the tradition of fox hunting...
. He wrote more than a dozen books between 1930 and 1973 which sparked vivid debates among experienced riders of various backgrounds. He also wrote many articles on forward riding (nowadays referred to as "hunt seat") for notable equestrian magazines of his day. His methods continue to be taught at Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar College is a liberal arts women's college in Sweet Briar, Virginia, about north of Lynchburg, Virginia. The school's Latin motto translates as: "She who has earned the rose may bear it."...
and other prominent riding programs.
Early life
Littauer was born in the Ural MountainsUral Mountains
The Ural Mountains , or simply the Urals, are a mountain range that runs approximately from north to south through western Russia, from the coast of the Arctic Ocean to the Ural River and northwestern Kazakhstan. Their eastern side is usually considered the natural boundary between Europe and Asia...
of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. Vladimir Littauer grew up in St. Petersburg. In the fall of 1911, at age 19, he entered the two year officer training program at the Nicholas Cavalry School in St. Petersburg. During his time in the school, Littauer's equestrian training was based on French dressage as taught by James Fillis
James Fillis
James Fillis was a well-known English-born French riding master. He attended the school of Francois Baucher in France, and introduced his methods to his home country. He taught for 12 years as Ecuyer en chef of the St. Petersburg Cavalry Riding School...
.
During the Summer Olympics of 1912, Russian cavalry officers who had spent time in Pinerolo, Italy learning methods pioneered by Captain Federico Caprilli distinguished themselves and excited much interest in Caprilli's new system of "forward riding;" a system which represented a repudiation of traditional manège-style dressage techniques. Littauer took notice. Around 1913 senior coronet Vladimir Sokolov introduced Littauer to Caprilli's revolutionary method of riding.
Early career
On August 6, 1913 Littauer entered the Russian Imperial Cavalry as a 2nd lieutenant and became a hussarHussar
Hussar refers to a number of types of light cavalry which originated in Hungary in the 14th century, tracing its roots from Serbian medieval cavalry tradition, brought to Hungary in the course of the Serb migrations, which began in the late 14th century....
. During the nine years he served in the Russian Imperial Cavalry Littauer reached the rank of Captain. He fought in the 1st Sumsky Hussar Regiment through World War I and also fought for the czar in the Russian Civil War. Captain Littauer's war-time experiences demonstrated to him the impracticality and limitations of dressage for field riding and combat. He was later inspired to write, "The method of riding in the Russian cavalry was of the manège type, which today is usually called Dressage . . . This artificial system worked well on the parade ground, but not across country, and the experiences of war disappointed even its most ardent supporters."
He left military service, and his Russian homeland, in the early spring of 1920.
After coming to the United States in 1921, he took factory and sales jobs in New York City to help him learn to speak English. In 1927 he happened to meet two fellow former Russian cavalry officers in New York: Sergei N. Kournakoff and Kadir A. Guirey. Together the three founded the Boots and Saddles Riding School. Littauer, Kournakoff and Guirey started the school teaching principles of dressage they had learned in cavalry school, but soon they began experimenting with the radical and progressive Caprilli methods. The forward riding precepts of Caprilli proved more practical and accessible than traditional manège-influenced dressage for their civilian riding students who had limited time for riding and varying levels of fitness. Despite the Great Depression, the Boots and Saddles School thrived, adding a new ring and stables in New York City.
Writing career
Littauer began writing, publishing Jumping the Horse in 1931 and The Defense of the Forward Seat with his co-founder, Kournakoff, in 1934. In 1937 Littauer left Boots and Saddles to begin working with students on their own horses and to offer riding clinics at schools, colleges and hunt clubs. By this time he was recognized "as one of the most influential teachers, lecturers and equestrian authors in the country."Littauer continued to teach and write for the next thirty years. He was a frequent guest lecturer at Sweet Briar College in Virginia where one of his students, Harriet Rogers, founded a riding program for the college. Over the years Captain V. S. Littauer conducted original research which, through his writing, resulted in major contributions to the sport of riding. In a 1972 speech, Rogers referred to Littauer as "the outstanding proponent of Forward Riding in this country." Former Director of the Sweet Briar College Riding Program and author Paul Cronin called Littauer "the most influential author and instructor in America in this century." Long-time Chronicle of the Horse contributor George Morris
George H. Morris
George H. Morris is an American trainer and judge of horses and riders in the hunter and jumper disciplines. He is considered a "founding father" of Hunt Seat Equitation. He also is the current chef d’equipe for the United States Equestrian Foundation, USEF, show jumping team.-Career:Morris began...
cites Littauer in his list of "the greatest American authors" on riding.
Legacy
A few of Littauer's significant contributions to modern riding include his accurate analysis of the gaits and mechanics of the jump; his recognition and advocacy of controls as a component of a forward seat riding system; his development of three levels of control for teaching riders and for schooling horses; his advocacy of the voice as an aid in schooling and in riding; his definition of the concept of stabilization; and his philosophy that encourages riders to feel empathy for their horses. His teachings continue to be advocated and supported by the American National Riding Commission and taught by schools affiliated with the ANRC.Although Littauer retired from teaching in the late 1970s, he continued to write until the early 1980s. He died at his home on Long Island on August 31, 1989 at the age of 97. His personal library, including his instructional film and manuscript collection, resides at the National Sporting Library
National Sporting Library
The National Sporting Library & Museum The National Sporting Library and Museum, located in beautiful, historic Middleburg, Virginia, is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and sharing the literature, art, and culture of horse and field sports...
in Middleburg, Virginia.
Vladimir Littauer was married to Mary Aiken Graver Littauer
Mary Aiken Littauer
Mary Aiken Littauer was a leading authority on ancient domesticated horses and related materials . Using her knowledge of contemporary horsemanship, she wrote authoritative works on ridden horses and chariots in Greece, the Near East and Egypt.She was born Mary Aiken Graver in Pittsburgh and...
in 1935 in New York City. They had one son, Andrew A. Littauer of Princeton, New Jersey.
Books
- Boots and Saddles, Ten Talks on Horsemanship – 1930
- Jumping the Horse – 1931 (ISBN 978-1436686556)
- The Defense of the Forward Seat – 1934
- Forward Riding - 1934
- Modern Horsemanship for Beginners – 1934
- Riding Forward - 1935
- More About Riding Forward - 1938
- Be a Better Horseman – 1941
- More About the Forward Seat - 1945
- Schooling Your Horse - 1956 (ISBN 978-0668055567)
- Do Collected Gaits have Place in Schooling Hunters and Jumpers? - 1957
- Horseman's Progress – 1962
- Russian Hussar – 1966 (ISBN 978-0942597530)
- How a Horse Jumps - 1972
- Commonsense Horsemanship – 1974 (ISBN 978-0668057912)
- The Rigid Back – 1980
- A Complete Guide to Horsemanship - 1982
Notable Students
- Paul Cronin
- Jane Marshall Dillon
- Walter Kees
- Diana Rankin
- Harriet Rogers
- Bernie Traurig