Francois Baucher performing
Francois Baucher, the French riding master who lived from 1796 -1873 was called the Leonardo da Vinci of horsemanship. He was an inventor, a scientist, and an artist in the field of horsemanship. He invented the dismounted method of suppling the horse in several days making the most dangerous horse obedient and safe to ride. He invented the one tempo flying changes. His ability to control the movements of the horse was unequaled. For example he could make the horse trot and canter backwards. However, his most stunning performances of haute ecole were not to be seen in the courts or royal riding academies of Europe but were performed in the circus. People clamored to see him perform and his skill in horsemanship became the talk of the town. Though, because he was of the middle class and did not attend any riding academies, his brilliance was questionable and often considered to be mere tricks. The big controversy surrounds the fact that he went against the principles laid down by Francois Robichon de la Gueriniere which had been followed by the nobility and the military.
Despite the controversy, Baucher gave the key to the equestrian world regarding the science of the equestrian art and is the basis for true classical horsemanship. That is, the horse must be able to adjust his balance, to the point where he can bring his center of gravity directly, vertically below and as close as possible to his center of motion. When this can be achieved with minimum tension, it is then essential that the rider’s center of gravity is situated over the horse’s center of gravity and motion.
He demonstrated and taught throughout his life, that claimed mysterious quality of lightness, tack, and obedience defined and much discussed throughout the world of equestrianism, but seldom if ever seen. The last great exponent and most sincere disciple was Nuno Olivera.
*** The preceding information about Francois Baucher was taken from the book by Hilda Nelson, Francois Baucher, The Man And His Method.