The Bibliotheca Cavalcaris is dedicated to works on Traditional Dressage. Because Traditional dressage developed along national lines, even though a rich exchange of perspectives continued, this library will also be organized accordingly. This libarary endeavours to be exhaustive on the works written on Traditional Dressage, and will also include the works of modern reconstructionists. Also veterinarian works written by dressage masters or veterinarian works with an explicit importance for dressage will be included as well.
Italian Tradition
In writing, Traditional Dressage emerged first in Italy with Gli ordini di cavalcare of Federigo Grisone in 1550, shortly followed by L'arte dell'imbrigliare of Cesare Fiaschi in 1556. Although these works were quickly translated in several other languages, vastly increasing the influence of these masters on Traditional Dressage in general, they were but a few of the many masters that emerged from 16th century Italy. Although the Italian Tradition of Traditional Dressage lost most of its dominance in later centuries, this by no means put an end to this tradition.
German Tradition
Although the French Tradition is more commonly perceived as the culmination of Traditional Dressage nowadays, it should not be forgotten that the German Tradition appeared earlier than the French Tradition, mostly due to the work of Johann Fayser den Jungere in 1572. A particular characteristic of the German Tradition is its lasting link with military applications in general and knightly martial applications more specifically. A relation that continues up to the first half of the 17th century. Consequently, the study of the German Tradition of Traditional Dressage does not only add another, valuable perspective onto Traditional Dressage as a whole, but is also quintessential for the study of Medieval Horsemanship as well.
French Tradition
The French Tradition only came about around 1600 due to the work of Salomon de la Broue and Antoine de Pluvinel. Although both masters should be considered the fathers of the French Tradition, it was the latter that founded the strong academic style that would characterize the French Tradition. De Pluvinel founded the first Royal Riding Academy in the Tuilleries near the Louvre, which would soon lead to the establishment of analogue academies across the Kingdom of France. The French Tradition counted many influential masters, such as the Englishman William Cavendish (who should be considered a master of the French Tradition), whose work would gain great popularity in Germany, and François Robichon de la Guerinière, whose work was considered the standard of Traditional Dressage in later centuries. Notwithstanding the tremendous success of these masters, it should not be forgotten that also the French Tradition counted many other masters and works amongst its repertoire.
Iberian Tradition
The Iberian Peninsula had long been characterized by its own Jennet Horsemanship. After the War of the Spanish Succession, however, the more widespread Traditional Dressage was now gaining footing on the Peninsula as well. The combination of the French Tradition of Traditional Dressage, mostly based on L'école de cavalerie of de la Guerinière, with the indigenous Jennet Horsemanship resulted a particular Iberian form of Traditional Dressage that culminated in one of the most fascinating works of the 18th century, that of Manuel Carlos de Andrade.
Modern Reconstructionism
Although Traditional Dressage dissapeared in the 19th century, with the exception of the changed tradition of the Spanish Riding School, both the 19th and 20th centuries witnessed reconstructionists of Traditional Dressage. The 19th century reconstructionists can be mostly categorized within the German and French Schools, which both continued in the 20th and 21st centuries. Although this wave of reconstructionism revived the idea of dressage, they were mostly intended for cavalry practices and therefore inherently bound by pragmatic limiations. However, from the second half of the 20th century, a new wave of reconstructionism, desiring an authentic reconstruction of Traditional Dressage, has emerged as well.