BY DR. NANCY NICHOLSON Introduction and Background A top line outline is one of the first ... 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 […]
IMPROVING THE LATERAL BEND
BY DR. THOMAS RITTER The old masters considered balance and suppleness to be the cornerstones of dressage, because they are the prerequisites for obedience, agility, lightness, impulsion, and collection. Almost […]
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 TRAINING
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 […]
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, […]
INFLUENCING THE HORSE: THE HALF HALT
BY CYNTHIA HODGES, J.D., LL.M., M.A. The ultimate purpose of dressage is to teach the horse to carry himself in balance under the rider. To develop balance and self-carriage, the horse […]
THE RIDER
THE RIDER POSITION AND SEAT
BY JENNY ROLFE The rider can become highly influential when he learns how to sit on a horse, in self carriage, allowing both stability and fluidity – from the […]
THE JOURNEY NEVER ENDS: OBSERVING THE BASICS
BY DR. THOMAS RITTER True progress in riding can only come from an improvement of the basic skills of both the horse and the rider. Any training approach that tries […]
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 […]
FROM THIS POINT OF VIEW: NEVER TAKE A HORSE FOR GRANTED
BY IDA ANDERSON NORRIS This week one of the trainers I teach asked me “What is the most important thing a horse has taught you?” That is a hard […]
THE HORSE
HORSE AS ATHLETE
BY DR. NANCY NICHOLSON HORSE AS ATHLETE Strategy and tactics for Development We have discussed walk as a foundation gait for horses and for humans. What we can understand, in addition, […]
BREEDING THE SPORT HORSE
BY ARLENE RIGDON Certainty doesn’t exist in the world of horses; perfection is an elusive goal never attained. The best we can hope for in our pursuit of breeding sport […]
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 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: 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 […]
WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT BASICS FOR HORSE AND RIDER? Answered by........
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...
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 JOAN WILLIAMS – The most important basics for the rider: Basic Balanced Position (BBP) I believe the most important component of ... 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 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...
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...
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 CYNTHIA HODGES - Forward riding is an essential element in achieving the ultimate goal of dressage: balanced self-carriage. To carry the ... 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 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...
