I have just bought another Charles De Kunffy book, 'Dressage Questions Answered', and I read this with delight. He says:

“That is why the rider with feel may not sit as properly or elegantly as a competitor in the Olympic Games but may certainly make the horse happy. Often one can see (with delight) riders with improper skills (mushy abdomen, rounded shoulders, awful style) who make delightfully harmonious companions on their horses backs.” And he says that such riders “enjoy getting obedience from their horses by cajoling them and keeping things smooth”.

Perhaps he would think that the above would describe the way that I ride.

He also says;

“For the luxury of civilised riding is that success is measured in the horse’s terms, not the rider’s. Is the horse improved? Is he happy?” and “The horse that is happy is a giver! If you cannot tell stories about what your horse is doing for you, there is not much in the way of happiness to talk about.”

Well, no one could say that mine aren't givers!