About

Cynthia F. Hodges, JD, LLM, MA is an attorney and author at Auriga Books, LLC. She has about 20 yrs experience training and showing dressage.

Cynthia is an accomplished attorney, author, translator, and dressage enthusiast. With a rich background encompassing law, literature, and dressage, Cynthia brings forth over two decades of invaluable experience coupled with a passion for the equestrian sport.

Dressage, meaning "training" in French, embodies a centuries-old equestrian discipline that transcends mere athleticism. Rooted in the refined movements developed from military training, dressage evolved into an art form during the Baroque period, where Haute Ecole horses performed breathtaking equestrian ballets for nobility.

At the core of dressage lies a philosophy that aims to elevate the horse into the epitome of grace, strength, and harmony. Through meticulous schooling, horses achieve unparalleled obedience, suppleness, and balance, mirroring elegance both under saddle and in liberty. The principles of dressage are geared towards preserving the horse's soundness and enhancing the beauty and comfort of its gaits.

With nearly 20 years in the dressage saddle, Cynthia is a USDF Qualified Rider, having showcased her exceptional skills through Third Level competitions while honing her expertise to FEI levels. Her dedication to mastery led her to train under esteemed luminaries such as Karl Mikolka, Gunnar Oestergaard, Rachel Saavedra, Gerhard Politz, Franz Rochowansky, Hans Biss, and other prominent riders, enriching her understanding of this complex art form.

Cynthia's commitment extends beyond the arena as she delves into the literary realm, translating seminal works such as Louis Seeger's System of Horsemanship and Heinrich Schusdziarra's Anatomy of Dressage. Her contributions to equestrian literature include insightful articles published in journals such as Topline Ink Equestrian Journal, Central Texas Dressage Society, and Houston Dressage Society Newsletters.

Through her unwavering dedication, Cynthia embodies the ethos of dressage, striving not only for technical mastery but also for the harmonious connection between horse and rider. Her journey, a combination of scholarly pursuits and equestrian artistry, resonates as a testament to the enduring allure and timeless elegance of dressage.

Cynthia is a USDF Qualified Rider, has shown through Third Level, and schooled to FEI. She has trained with Karl Mikolka, Gunnar Oestergaard, Rachel Saavedra, Gerhard Politz, Franz Rochowansky, Hans Biss, and other prominent riders. She has also participated in USDF Instructor Certification workshops. Cynthia was awarded a grant by the Houston Dressage Society.

Cynthia has translated Louis Seeger's System of Horsemanship and Monsieur Baucher and His Arts: A Serious Word with Germany's Riders, as well as Anatomy of Dressage by Heinrich Schusdziarra. She has also written a number of articles on dressage, some of which have been published in Topline Ink Equestrian Journal and the Central Texas Dressage Society and Houston Dressage Society Newsletters.

Horses
		Orioni was my elegant Trakehner/French TB mare. Her sire was the Trakehner stallion Inspekteur, who was by the famous Mahagoni. Rio was related to Peron, who was an Olympic dressage bronze medalist. I showed Rio Third Level with scores as high as 68%. She was schooling canter pirouettes & passage when she was sold.
		Kastanie was a lovely Quarter Horse (AQHA) & Belgian Warmblood mare (registered BWP/NAD & AQHA). We showed successfully to Second Level, but schooled higher level movements (half-pass, tempi changes to 4 strides, canter pirouettes, etc). She turned out to be a really nice schoolmaster for the girl who bought her & apparently met with a lot of success in the Hunter ring. Awards * The Belgian Warmblood Breeding Association Certificate of Merit Achievement Award in Dressage Division * Two Central Texas Dressage Society Certificates of Achievement.
		Confederate, a Thoroughbred gelding off the track, was my first horse after a long hiatus from riding. He wasn't that keen on dressage, but he sure loved to jump!
		Baxter, a big Appaloosa gelding, was my second horse. He and I showed successfully to Second Level, winning the Houston Dressage Society Second Level Reserve Champion awards for 1987 & 1988.
		Ibn Abdul, an Arab/Saddlebred gelding with warmblood gaits, was my first horse. We showed well in Training & First Level dressage. We were always in the ribbons. My family ended up donating him to the Hope Arena in Galveston, where he gave rides to disabled children. Painting by Bonnie Hodges.