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Dressage & Sport Horse Magazine

The place for compassionate and thinking riders.

The Digital Dressage Magazine. Get top articles, information and tips from leading trainers, instructors, riders, clinicians and judges.

  • HORSE
    • Biomechanics
    • Care & Wellness
    • Conditioning
    • Horse Breeds
    • Tack & Equipment
    • Understanding the Horse
  • TRAINING
    • Balance
    • Basics
    • Dressage Training Scale
      • Relaxation
      • Rhythm
      • Suppleness
      • Connection
      • Straightness
      • Impulsion
      • Collection
    • In Hand & Longeing
    • The Aids
    • Theory & History
  • RIDER
    • Fitness
    • Mind & Matter
    • Position
    • The Process & Journey
  • LESSONS
    • Arena Exercises
    • The Movements
  • THE AISLEWAY
    • ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
      • THE ATHLETE
      • THE DANCE
      • FAVORITE EXERCISE
      • IMPORTANT BASICS
      • THE JOURNEY
      • ORGANIZING TIPS
      • RIDING FORWARD
      • THE SHOW
      • THE TOPLINE
  • SHOW
    • Dressage Levels
    • Dressage Show
  • FOCUS
    • BOOK EXCERPTS

DRESSAGE AND SPORT HORSE MAGAZINE ONLINE

NATURALLY CLASSICAL – MASTER YOUR CONFIDENCE

NATURALLY CLASSICAL – MASTER YOUR CONFIDENCE

BY JENNY ROLFE INTRODUCTION Our confidence would appear to be like the rest of nature as it ... continue reading...

IMPROVING THE LATERAL BEND

IMPROVING THE LATERAL BEND

BY DR. THOMAS RITTER The old masters considered balance and suppleness to be the cornerstones of ... continue reading...

THE CONNECTION OF DRESSAGE

THE CONNECTION OF DRESSAGE

BY DR. THOMAS RITTER “Connection” is one of these modern dressageisms that I don’t especially ... continue reading...

WHAT’S NEW AT DRESSAGE AND SPORT HORSE in LESSONS?

LESSONS

THOUGHTS ON THE CLASSICAL SEAT

THOUGHTS ON THE CLASSICAL SEAT

BY GAEL BOURQUIN If we believe in the Classical System of training, which puts the well-being of the horse first and foremost then we must make an effort to become better […]

THE SHOULDER-IN

THE SHOULDER-IN

  BY DR. THOMAS RITTER   History The Old Masters generally considered the shoulder-in to be the foundation of all other dressage movements, since it increases the horse’s shoulder freedom, […]

IN THE ARENA: RATIONALE, STRATEGY AND TACTICS FOR EXERCISE

IN THE ARENA: RATIONALE, STRATEGY AND TACTICS FOR EXERCISE

BY DR. NANCY NICHOLSON Working in an arena has multiple goals for developing a horse mentally and physically. As a benefit, carefully considered training agendas can develop a trainer’s perception and […]

EXERCISES FOR THE WARM UP

EXERCISES FOR THE WARM UP

BY JENNY ROLFE Constructive time spent warming-up is the key to encouraging the natural gymnastic ability of the horse. The purpose of training is to enhance the natural ability and […]

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WHAT’S NEW AT DRESSAGE AND SPORT HORSE in TRAINING?

THE TRAINING

RIDING AUF DOPPELTRENSE: INTRODUCING THE HORSE TO THE DOUBLE BRIDLE

RIDING AUF DOPPELTRENSE: INTRODUCING THE HORSE TO THE DOUBLE BRIDLE

  BY CYNTHIA HODGES, J.D., LL.M., M.A. Graduating to the double bridle is a milestone in the horse’s training. This article discusses how to make the transition easier for the […]

FORWARD RIDING AT BASIC GAITS

FORWARD RIDING AT BASIC GAITS

BY DR. NANCY NICHOLSON Riding forward is not rushing, nor is it chasing a horse “off its feet.” It is a deliberate set of exercises with the horse “on the […]

DRESSAGE HISTORY: XENOPHON TO ANTOINE DE PLUVINEL

DRESSAGE HISTORY: XENOPHON TO ANTOINE DE PLUVINEL

  BY DR. THOMAS RITTER Writing a history of dressage that investigates the discoveries of all the gymnastic training tools that shaped the body of knowledge of classical dressage and […]

BALANCE: THE BOTTOM LINE

BALANCE: THE BOTTOM LINE

    BY ARLENE RIGDON In training the horse along the principles of dressage, there is one quality that, though it is elusive and often subtle, is fundamental to everything. […]

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WHAT’S NEW AT DRESSAGE AND SPORT HORSE in the RIDER?

THE RIDER

LEARNING TO LEARN

LEARNING TO LEARN

BY DR. THOMAS RITTER One of my teachers used to say that you can’t teach anybody how to ride. The student either gets it, or they don’t. Another one said […]

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

BY DR. THOMAS RITTER When things go wrong and horses begin to misbehave, most riders search for the reason and the remedy outside themselves. The truth is that in most […]

BUILDING THE ATHLETE THROUGH THE NEW BASICS

BUILDING THE ATHLETE THROUGH THE NEW BASICS

  By PEGGY CUMMINGS What prevents dressage riders from going beyond Training or First Level?  Why are so many backyard riders not able to get their horse off the forehand?  […]

TEACHING AND LEARNING TO FEEL

TEACHING AND LEARNING TO FEEL

  BY DR. THOMAS RITTER   There is a technical /mechanical side to riding. There is a scientific/academic side to riding. There is an athletic side to riding, for both […]

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WHAT’S NEW AT DRESSAGE AND SPORT HORSE in THE HORSE?

THE HORSE

THE SADDLE AS AN ADAPTER

THE SADDLE AS AN ADAPTER

BY ZSUZSU ILLES What is the number one point to keep in mind when fitting a saddle to a horse and rider? The saddle must fit in motion.  When the saddle […]

THE MYTH OF THE NARROW TWIST

THE MYTH OF THE NARROW TWIST

  BY ZSUZSU ILLES Over and over again I hear “I need a narrow twist.” So why do I repeatedly answer, ”Not necessarily so”? Because a saddle with a narrow twist […]

BUILDING A POWERFUL TOPLINE

BUILDING A POWERFUL TOPLINE

BY DR. NANCY NICHOLSON Introduction and Background A top line outline is one of the first things we notice about our horses. They literally carry themselves with its ligaments and other […]

GAIT ANALYSIS

GAIT ANALYSIS

  BY IDA ANDERSON NORRIS Gait Analysis is best broken down into its parts- 1. The Type or style of Movement exhibited and 2. The Quality of movement. First, it […]

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WHAT’S NEW AT DRESSAGE AND SPORT HORSE in THE SHOW?

THE SHOW

FROM THIS POINT OF VIEW: EVERYBODY KEEP RIGHT

FROM THIS POINT OF VIEW: EVERYBODY KEEP RIGHT

    BY IDA ANDERSON NORRIS “Everybody, keep right” my father used to say. In fact, everyone from dads to grandmothers to school teachers said it to us when we […]

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WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT BASICS FOR HORSE AND RIDER? Answered by........

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT BASICS FOR HORSE AND RIDER? ANSWERED BY LINDA LANDERS

BY LINDA LANDERS The basics of the rider must come before a rider can really train the basics to a horse. This means that riders progress the most ... continue reading...

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT BASICS FOR HORSE AND RIDER? ANSWERED BY GAEL BOURQUIN

  By GAEL BOURQUIN - For me, the most important basic for horse and rider is balance. It is a vast topic and in order to simplify I will ... continue reading...

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT BASICS FOR HORSE AND RIDER? ANSWERED BY GIGI NUTTER

  BY GIGI NUTTER - Over the last five centuries, thousands of pages have been written about rider’s position and ability to influence a ... continue reading...

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT BASICS? ANSWERED BY JOAN WILLIAMS

  By JOAN WILLIAMS – The most important basics for the rider: Basic Balanced Position (BBP) I believe the most important component of ... continue reading...

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS TO IMPROVE THE HORSE’S TOPLINE? ANSWERED…..

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS TO IMPROVE THE TOPLINE? ANSWERED BY CYNTHIA HODGES

  By CYNTHIA HODGES  - If a horse has a low, weak back, the rider can improve his topline by combining exercises that will strengthen the ... continue reading...

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS TO IMPROVE THE HORSE’S TOPLINE?  ANSWERED BY JEC A. BALLOU

By JEC ARISTOTLE BALLOU  - To improve the horse's topline, you must strengthen the horse's bottom line. As the horse's bottom line strengthens, a ... continue reading...

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS TO IMPROVE THE TOPLINE? ANSWERED BY JOAN WILLIAMS

By JOAN WILLIAMS - Developing your horses topline is an important part of keeping him healthy sound and strong.   There are many exercises both on and ... continue reading...

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS TO IMPROVE THE TOPLINE? ANSWERED BY CHRISTINE RIVLIN

By  CHRISTINE RIVLIN  - The first way would be through correct riding. Making sure the horse has a correct connection through the bridle and is using ... continue reading...

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF RIDING FORWARD? Answered by……..

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF RIDING FORWARD? ANSWERED BY GIGI NUTTER

  BY GIGI NUTTER -  The old Master’s directive was to “ride your horse forward and straight.” It is important for a rider to understand that ... continue reading...

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF RIDING FORWARD? ANSWERED BY MELONIE KESSLER

By MELONIE KESSLER – The question of the importance of riding forward is a very interesting topic. For me, it is also over-thought and analyzed, like ... continue reading...

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF RIDING FORWARD? ANSWERED BY JOAN WILLIAMS

  By JOAN WILLIAMS –  “Ride your horse forward and straighten it” and “Freely Forward” are just two well known dressage and pony club ... continue reading...

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF RIDING FORWARD? ANSWERED BY LINDA LANDERS

  BY LINDA LANDERS - Forward riding has two components in my mind. First, the horse must respond by going forward from the leg and seat aids ... continue reading...

GREAT LEARNING FROM GREAT BOOKS…………………………

AN OVERVIEW OF THE THREE TRAINING PHASES OF THE CLASSICAL SCHOOL

AN OVERVIEW OF THE THREE TRAINING PHASES OF THE CLASSICAL SCHOOL

FAVEROT DE KERBRECH’S ‘METHODICAL DRESSAGE OF THE RIDING HORSE’

FAVEROT DE KERBRECH’S ‘METHODICAL DRESSAGE OF THE RIDING HORSE’

DRESSAGE IN THE FRENCH TRADITION  by Dom Diogo de Braganco

DRESSAGE IN THE FRENCH TRADITION by Dom Diogo de Braganco

THE MANEIGE ROYAL’ BY ANTOINE DE PLUVINEL

THE MANEIGE ROYAL’ BY ANTOINE DE PLUVINEL

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Read Book Excerpts

DRESSAGE IN THE FRENCH TRADITION  by Dom Diogo de Braganco

DRESSAGE IN THE FRENCH TRADITION by Dom Diogo de Braganco

THE MANEIGE ROYAL’ BY ANTOINE DE PLUVINEL

THE MANEIGE ROYAL’ BY ANTOINE DE PLUVINEL

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THE MAKING OF A QUADRILLE TEAM

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THE VOICE AS AN AID

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BUILDING A BETTER TOPLINE

BUILDING A BETTER TOPLINE

MY FAVORITE SCHOOLING EXERCISE

MY FAVORITE SCHOOLING EXERCISE

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