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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...

THE ABC’S OF EXERCISE

THE ABC’S OF EXERCISE

BY JEC ARISTOTLE BALLOU Horses must become athletes first, and only then become dressage ... continue reading...

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. ... continue reading...

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

LESSONS

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

MY FAVORITE SCHOOLING EXERCISE

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 […]

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

THE TRAINING

HORSE AS ATHLETE

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, […]

THE TRAINING SCALE OF DRESSAGE

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 […]

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?  […]

THE VOICE AS AN AID

THE VOICE AS AN AID

  BY GIGI NUTTER   The Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania provided an idyllic setting for my childhood. My parents opened a trail riding business in the 1940’s to support local, […]

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

THE RIDER

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, […]

KNOWLEDGE SPEAKS, BUT WISDOM LISTENS

KNOWLEDGE SPEAKS, BUT WISDOM LISTENS

BY GIGI NUTTER   The title is a quotation from musician Jimi Hendrix. It captures a training concept that took me almost four decades to truly understand. Growing up in […]

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 […]

THE JOURNEY NEVER ENDS: OBSERVING THE BASICS

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 […]

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

THE HORSE

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’ […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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

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 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 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...

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...

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

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

AN OVERVIEW OF THE THREE TRAINING PHASES OF THE CLASSICAL SCHOOL

AN OVERVIEW OF THE THREE TRAINING PHASES OF THE CLASSICAL SCHOOL

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AN OVERVIEW OF THE THREE TRAINING PHASES OF THE CLASSICAL SCHOOL

AN OVERVIEW OF THE THREE TRAINING PHASES OF THE CLASSICAL SCHOOL

THE MANEIGE ROYAL’ BY ANTOINE DE PLUVINEL

THE MANEIGE ROYAL’ BY ANTOINE DE PLUVINEL

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