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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

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 ... continue reading...

GAIT ANALYSIS

GAIT ANALYSIS

  BY IDA ANDERSON NORRIS Gait Analysis is best broken down into its parts- 1. The Type or ... continue reading...

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 ... continue reading...

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

LESSONS

THE MAKING OF A QUADRILLE TEAM

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

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

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

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

BALANCE: THRUST VS. CARRIAGE

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

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

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

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 […]

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

THE RIDER

RIDING FOR ALL AGES

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

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®

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

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 […]

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

THE HORSE

THE ABC’S OF EXERCISE

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

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

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

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 […]

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

THE SHOW

FROM THIS POINT OF VIEW: CAN I PLEASE SEE YOUR HORSE?

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 […]

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

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 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? ANSWERED BY CHRISTINE RIVLIN

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...

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

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

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 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 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 CYNTHIA HODGES

  By CYNTHIA HODGES - Forward riding is an essential element in achieving the ultimate goal of dressage: balanced self-carriage. To carry the ... continue reading...

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

DRESSAGE IN THE FRENCH TRADITION  by Dom Diogo de Braganco

DRESSAGE IN THE FRENCH TRADITION by Dom Diogo de Braganco

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’

THE MANEIGE ROYAL’ BY ANTOINE DE PLUVINEL

THE MANEIGE ROYAL’ BY ANTOINE DE PLUVINEL

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Read Book Excerpts

AN OVERVIEW OF THE THREE TRAINING PHASES OF THE CLASSICAL SCHOOL

AN OVERVIEW OF THE THREE TRAINING PHASES OF THE CLASSICAL SCHOOL

DRESSAGE IN THE FRENCH TRADITION  by Dom Diogo de Braganco

DRESSAGE IN THE FRENCH TRADITION by Dom Diogo de Braganco

Popular Articles

MY FAVORITE SCHOOLING EXERCISE

MY FAVORITE SCHOOLING EXERCISE

BUILDING A POWERFUL TOPLINE

BUILDING A POWERFUL TOPLINE

LOOKING AT IMPULSION

LOOKING AT IMPULSION

DRESSAGE HISTORY: XENOPHON TO ANTOINE DE PLUVINEL

DRESSAGE HISTORY: XENOPHON TO ANTOINE DE PLUVINEL

FROM THIS POINT OF VIEW: THE SHRINKING WARM UP AREA

FROM THIS POINT OF VIEW: THE SHRINKING WARM UP AREA

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