This is an absolutely superb treatise on Saddle Seat Equitation, particularly for those new to the sport. Even for experienced Saddle Seat riders, there is probably no clearer explanation of the basics of showing the saddle horse anywhere, and we all need a bit of review occasionally! The book covers a wide scope of subjects connected with the training of horse and rider to enter the world of riding and showing in the Saddle Seat discipline. Crabtree addresses such critical but sometimes overlooked subjects as the role a rider's parents can and should play at shows, beauty in the pairing of rider and horse, and teaching the adult show rider. What it offers in scope, it lacks in depth - and this is deliberate, since it is aimed at the new rider/trainer. Although every rider would benefit vastly from reading this book, especially the sections on the Saddle Seat Equitation tests, more advanced riders will not find it satisfying in terms of in-depth discussions of training or show ring techniques, as that is not its focus. But it is an extremely worthwhile book for riders of all levels, and it is also an eminently readable, delightful and informative chronicle of the Saddle Seat Equitation world from the 50s to the 80s.