By JOAN WILLIAMS I think the understanding of ’Riding Long and Low’ for new dressage riders is ... 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
MY FAVORITE SCHOOLING EXERCISE
BY JENNY ROLFE Introduction Have you ever been to the gymnasium for a workout? What exercises were you given in preparation for the more strenuous athletic movements? In my […]
THE TRAINING
A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN A HEAD SET!
BY IDA ANDERSON NORRIS One of my students (who is an instructor that attended the Florida Dressage Experience Program School), recently attended a dressage symposium with a notable Olympian […]
DEVELOPING FORWARD MOVEMENT
BY ARLENE RIGDON Riding the horse forward on the bit is basically simple to understand in principle, but most difficult to execute. If the horse is correctly on the bit, […]
THE CONNECTION OF DRESSAGE
BY DR. THOMAS RITTER “Connection” is one of these modern dressageisms that I don’t especially like, because they are essentially meaningless inventions that do not take the traditional terminology into […]
THE TRAINING SCALE OF DRESSAGE
BY DR. THOMAS RITTER The “Training Scale” was initially invented in Germany almost a century ago. It is called “Skala der Ausbildung” and was first formulated in the famous Heeresdienstvorschrift […]
THE RIDER
THE BALANCED SEAT
BY DR. THOMAS RITTER The centered seat will always be a correct seat. The word “correct” sometimes gives rise to misunderstandings in this context. Many people take it to […]
NATURALLY CLASSICAL – MASTER YOUR CONFIDENCE
BY JENNY ROLFE INTRODUCTION Our confidence would appear to be like the rest of nature as it ebbs and flows. Confidence will flow when you feel happy within yourself and […]
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 […]
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
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 […]
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
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 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...
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 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 SOME WAYS TO IMPROVE THE HORSE’S TOPLINE? ANSWERED…..
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 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 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...
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 IS THE IMPORTANCE OF RIDING FORWARD? Answered by……..
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...
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 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...
