Fragments from the writings of Max Ritter von Weyrother translated by Hilary Fane

Now in print: Max Ritter von Weyrother (1783–1833) was Chief Rider of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna from 1813, and Director from 1814 to 1833. His grandfather, Adam Weyrother, a previous Chief Rider at the school, may have known Francois Robichon de la Gueriniere in Paris. Adam Weyrother traveled to Paris frequently. Maximilian's father and brother, Gottlieb were also Chief Riders at the school. Under Max Ritter von Weyrother, the Spanish Riding School became a mecca of the riders of Central Europe in the 19th century. Louis Seeger, teacher of Gustav Steinbrecht [Gymnasium of the Horse] and E. F. Seidler were his best-known students. Weyrother coined the term "thinking rider." He said: "Every rider must be perfectly clear, at what stage of the dressage the horse is, which he is working, as well as the purpose which he wishes to pursue from lesson to lesson and finally achieve. For the sake of this purpose, clear information must be given at any time in a few words. In a word,