Paul D. Cronin
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Paul D. Cronin | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 26, 1936 Dover, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | December 29, 2024 (aged 88) Middleburg, Virginia, U.S. |
| Occupations | Horseman, riding instructor, and author |
| Employer | Sweet Briar College (1967–2002) |
Paul David Cronin (May 26, 1936 – December 29, 2024) was an American horseman, riding instructor, and author. He studied under Vladimir Littauer for 30 years, and taught Littauer's forward seat riding system.[1][2] His book Schooling and Riding the Sport Horse (2004) was intended to be a modern and updated version of Littauer's Commonsense Horsemanship.[3] In it, Cronin detailed the history of the American forward seat riding system, gave advice on training young and green horses, and outlined a three-part system based on controls, position and schooling.[4]
Cronin was director of the riding program at Sweet Briar College from 1967–2002, and became Professor Emeritus and Director of Riding Emeritus in 2003.[5] Among his students there was Olympic athlete Lendon Gray, rider of Seldom Seen.[6][7][8]
Cronin was involved with the American National Riding Commission, and was an "R" judge for hunt seat competitions from 1965 to 1987.[6] In the state of Virginia, he was a member of the equitation committee of the Virginia Horse Show Association from 1974 to 1980, was a director for the Virginia Horse Council in 1981–1982, and was on the riding committee of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference from 1985 until 2001.[5] Beginning in 1999 Cronin was an advisory member at large for the Affiliated/American National Riding Council.[9] Cronin died on December 29, 2024, at the age of 88.[10]