“The horseman must be both energetic and calm, gentle without weakness, steadfast without harshness. He must always be master of himself, be able to act on the horse by opposing traits, such as, opposing patience to impatience, calmness to violence, energy to laziness. He must have moral courage and never be discouraged. No difficulties should make him flinch. Perseverance, a quality all artists must have, the equestrian artist must possess of it to a greater degree. He must be intelligent and understand the psychology of the horse. For he must be aware of everything. He must possess equestrian tact which will make him be aware of the nature of the horse’s contractions. The second requirement is the horse.” ~ Alexis L’Hotte – (Hilda Nelson – ‘The Quest for Lightness in Equitation’)
Bill Cameron International Horsemanship 