The Wisdom of Master Nuno Oliveira

By Antoine de Coux

This is the only English translation of 'Paroles du Maitre' by Antoine de Coux
Antoine de Coux, a magistrate in the Belgian Congo, was undoubtedly one of the most loyal students of Master Nuno Oliveira. From 1966, when they met and became close friends, until Oliveira's death in 1989, Antoine de Coux participated in the annual two-month training sessions that Nuno Oliveira held in Belgium. De Coux was a fine rider, watched every lesson and took copious notes, filling more than forty notebooks. He faithfully recorded the teachings and remarks of the When Nuno Oliveira passed, Antoine de Coux decided to organize this great "memoir of a life experience," so that all riders could benefit from this knowledge. Nuno Oliveira was an exceptionally talented educator, gladly repeating his concepts with different descriptions to suit the level of understanding of his wide range of students.
Antoine de Coux did not live long enough to realize the completion of his work. Madame Suzanne Laurenty, who also followed Oliveira’s courses, finished the editing project resulting in this seminal book. Concepts and quotations are organized and punctuated to be faithful to the Master's teaching. This collection of words of advice constitutes the Wisdom of Master Nuno Oliveira, and we trust the reader will find it valuable and practical. This book presents a coherent, rich and outstanding contribution to the equestrian literature and extends Nuno Oliveira’s legacy in an extraordinarily life-like manner.
This one and only English edition is further enhanced by the expert translation of native Frenchman Jean Philippe Giacomini. A friend of Antoine de Coux and fellow student of Nuno Oliveira, he possesses first hand knowledge of the Master's teaching and is an equestrian scholar and a remarkable dressage trainer.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xenophon Press LLC
• Release date: Sep 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9780933316591

Antoine de Coux

Antoine de Coux, a magistrate in the Belgian Antoine de Coux, a magistrate in the Belgian Congo, was undoubtedly one of the most loyal students of Master Nuno Oliveira. From 1966, when they met and became close friends, until Oliveira's death in 1989, Antoine de Coux participated in the annual two-month training sessions that Nuno Oliveira held in Belgium. De Coux was a fine rider, watched every lesson and took copious notes, filling more than forty notebooks. He faithfully recorded the teachings and remarks of the Master. When Oliveira passed, de Coux decided to organize this great "memoir of a life experience," so that all riders could benefit from this knowledge. Nuno Oliveira was an exceptionally talented educator, gladly repeating his concepts with different descriptions to suit the level of understanding of his wide range of students.

Book preview

[feeling].

Chapter 1

EQUITATION, DRESSAGE, TACT

It is necessary for the horse to hold himself in a good position without being carried by the aids.

Dressage starts by the correct positioning (placer)¹² and the fixity of the head, by the mise en main (fixity and [the quality of a light] contact) and by the impulsion.¹³

It is not a good idea to work for a full hour in the mise en main [with the horse ramené and on the contact]. If we give [the hand] from time to time, we will get a connection that possesses a fresh quality when we take the contact up again. Importance of the fixity of the poll’s position. If a horse lifts the poll when we start a new exercise, we lose the benefits of the previous exercise.

The horse must not have his head left or right or in the air [or too low]. Dressage outside of the mise en main [correct connection between the hand and the mouth] is without value. We need the poll to be in its correct place. And the fixity of the ensemble of the head and neck is indispensable [to good