BY DR. NANCY NICHOLSON Working in an arena has multiple goals for developing a horse mentally and ... continue reading...
LESSONS
THE MAKING OF A QUADRILLE TEAM
By JOAN WILLIAMS So you want to start a quadrille team but don’t know how to begin. Here are some ideas to help get it off the ground. Talk to […]
LATERAL MOVEMENTS
BY DR. THOMAS RITTER This article contains a general overview over the topic of lateral movements. “Lateral movements” is the term that is used to designate exercises in which the horse […]
BUILDING A BETTER TOPLINE
By JOAN WILLIAMS I think the understanding of ’Riding Long and Low’ for new dressage riders is the most misunderstood concept, as they hear and read that the poll must be […]
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 […]
THE TRAINING
BALANCE: THRUST VS. CARRIAGE
BY DR. THOMAS RITTER How can the rider gain control over the hind legs? That depends on the horse and rider. Main considerations are the straightness as well as […]
LATERAL BALANCE
BY ARLENE RIGDON In order to ride the horse forward on the bit, he must be balanced—carrying himself on his hindquarters with a steady, elastic “connection” from the hind leg […]
LONGEING
BY DR. THOMAS RITTER Almost everybody I talk to tells me with great confidence: “Yea, yeah. I know how to longe.” And these people will probably skip this article, […]
TRAINING OUR HORSES IN SYNCHRONY WITH NATURE
BY JENNY ROLFE It is very close to my heart to be mindful of teaching and communication, which helps the horse to progress in synchrony with his true nature […]
THE RIDER
RIDING FOR ALL AGES
By MELONIE KESSLER Riding for all ages for the rider Dressage is a fun and challenging sport, and no matter the age, can be enjoyed by everyone willing to work hard. As […]
LIFESTYLE WITH HORSES: PASSIONATE HOBBY OR PROFESSIONAL
BY IDA ANDERSON NORRIS Primarily, I teach other riding instructors and trainers. They come from all over, as I gather them up, from the clinics and judging that I do […]
BECOMING MASTERS OF MOVEMENT WITH CONNECTED RIDING®
By PEGGY CUMMINGS Why is it that most riders are taught to sit up and sit still on a moving horse? Riders are encouraged to push, squeeze, and drive with their […]
COMPONENTS OF A GOOD POSITION
BY MARIBETH DUNLAP The position of the rider is perhaps the most important thing when studying dressage. It is from a correct position that allows us to positively influence […]
THE HORSE
THE ABC’S OF EXERCISE
BY JEC ARISTOTLE BALLOU Horses must become athletes first, and only then become dressage specialists. Many horses end up stuck in a training rut because they lack basic physical conditioning, which […]
FITNESS FACTS FOR THE BACK
BY JEC ARISTOTLE BALLOU No part of your horse is isolated. Everything in the muscular and skeletal systems is interconnected! As riders, we spend a huge amount of time on our horses’ […]
RIDING WALKS AND AN INDEPENDENT SEAT
BY DR. NANCY NICHOLSON Walk is a foundation gait for horses and for humans. In dressage, walking is a gait with four phases that are heard as hoof beats. Further, […]
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 […]
THE SHOW
FROM THIS POINT OF VIEW: CAN I PLEASE SEE YOUR HORSE?
BY IDA ANDERSON NORRIS Recently, I was at a competition and for a change wasn’t judging. In between coaching my clients there were few minutes of down time to […]
WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT BASICS FOR HORSE AND RIDER? Answered by........
By JOAN WILLIAMS – The most important basics for the rider: Basic Balanced Position (BBP) I believe the most important component of ... continue reading...
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...
By CHRISTINE RIVLIN - Basics, I feel, are important for the horse. I always suggest people review, or at least have an idea of the classical training ... continue reading...
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 SOME WAYS TO IMPROVE THE HORSE’S TOPLINE? ANSWERED…..
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...
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...
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...
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 IS THE IMPORTANCE OF RIDING FORWARD? Answered by……..
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...
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...
By JOAN WILLIAMS – “Ride your horse forward and straighten it” and “Freely Forward” are just two well known dressage and pony club ... continue reading...
By CYNTHIA HODGES - Forward riding is an essential element in achieving the ultimate goal of dressage: balanced self-carriage. To carry the ... continue reading...
