French Scientific Horsemanship. At the beginning of the 17th century Antoine de Pluvinel adopted and immensely improved the 16th century Neapolitan techniques of equitation. His classic Manege du Roy was published in 1623, and republished in 1628 as l'Instruction du Roy en l'exercise de monter a cheval. He is here (right) in the middle, instructing Louis XII. The royal pupil is striking the quintain, usually a simple wooden target but here a lifelike enemy. Jumping an obstacle formed no part of the manege; the pupil (left) is probably learning the capriole. The History of Horse Racing by Roger Longrigg, page 66.