Captain Vladimir S. Littauer
Capt. Littauer was arguably the most outstanding proponent of Forward Riding in America.
Capt. V.S. Littauer, of the Russian Cavalry, immigrated to the United States in the early 1920’s and with two other émigré’s, founded the “Boots and Saddles” riding school in New York. Littauer focused on instructing the civilian-riding enthusiast as opposed to the cavalry rider and his riding instruction was in great demand during his lifetime by both riding instructors and amateurs. He was an early, important and controversial advocate of the forward seat riding system. He wrote more than a dozen books between 1930 and 1973, including Common Sense Horsemanship first published in 1951. Littauer continued to teach and write for the next 30 years. He was a frequent guest lecturer at Sweet Briar College in Virginia where one of his students, Harriet Rogers, founded a riding program for the college. Over the years Capt. V.S. Littauer conducted original research that, through his writing, resulted in major contributions to the sport of riding. In a 1972 speech, Rogers referred to Littauer as “the outstanding proponent of Forward Riding in the Country.”
Former Director of the Sweet Briar College Riding Program and Professor Emeritus and author, Paul Cronin, called Littauer “the most influential author and instructor in America in this century.” Long–time Chronicle of the Horse contributor, George Morris, cites Littauer, in his list of “the greatest American authors” on riding. His advice continues to be pertinent in the twenty-first century for riders, teachers, and trainers.
