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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

BUILDING A POWERFUL TOPLINE

BUILDING A POWERFUL TOPLINE

BY DR. NANCY NICHOLSON Introduction and Background A top line outline is one of the first ... continue reading...

MASTER THE BALANCE, MASTER THE HORSE

MASTER THE BALANCE, MASTER THE HORSE

  BY JENNY ROLFE BALANCE FOR OUR MIND   Imagine you arrive home, feeling weary after a ... 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 […]

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 physically. As a benefit, carefully considered training agendas can develop a trainer’s perception 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 […]

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

THE TRAINING

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 […]

A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN A HEAD SET!

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 […]

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, […]

DRESSAGE HISTORY: XENOPHON TO ANTOINE DE PLUVINEL

DRESSAGE HISTORY: XENOPHON TO ANTOINE DE PLUVINEL

  BY DR. THOMAS RITTER Writing a history of dressage that investigates the discoveries of all the gymnastic training tools that shaped the body of knowledge of classical dressage and […]

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

THE RIDER

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 ebbs and flows. Confidence will flow when you feel happy within yourself and […]

THE THINKING RIDER

THE THINKING RIDER

BY DR. THOMAS RITTER   The Prussian cavalry officer and book author Otto von Monteton wrote in 1877: “After having trained a charger for five years during my turn of […]

THE CAUSE AND EFFECT OF THE RIDER

THE CAUSE AND EFFECT OF THE RIDER

BY DR. THOMAS RITTER Throughout the entire history of horsemanship, from its earliest beginnings until today, all relevant authors recognized and emphasized the importance of the correct seat in their […]

DELFIN, MY GREATEST TEACHER

DELFIN, MY GREATEST TEACHER

  BY JENNY ROLFE Many of us will know wonderful horses during our lives; but for a few of us, there may be just that one special horse who becomes […]

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

THE HORSE

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

GAIT ANALYSIS

GAIT ANALYSIS

  BY IDA ANDERSON NORRIS Gait Analysis is best broken down into its parts- 1. The Type or style of Movement exhibited and 2. The Quality of movement. First, it […]

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

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 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 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 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 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 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 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…………………………

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

DRESSAGE IN THE FRENCH TRADITION  by Dom Diogo de Braganco

DRESSAGE IN THE FRENCH TRADITION by Dom Diogo de Braganco

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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

THE MANEIGE ROYAL’ BY ANTOINE DE PLUVINEL

THE MANEIGE ROYAL’ BY ANTOINE DE PLUVINEL

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THE CONNECTION OF DRESSAGE

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FROM THIS POINT OF VIEW: THE SHRINKING WARM UP AREA

KNOWLEDGE SPEAKS, BUT WISDOM LISTENS

KNOWLEDGE SPEAKS, BUT WISDOM LISTENS

RIDE THE RIGHT WAY

RIDE THE RIGHT WAY

THE CIRCLE OF AIDS

THE CIRCLE OF AIDS

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