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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

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 ... continue reading...

LOOKING AT IMPULSION

LOOKING AT IMPULSION

  BY JENNY ROLFE Have you ever taken timeless moments to look over the gate of the field ... 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

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 […]

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 […]

IMPROVING THE LATERAL BEND

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 […]

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

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, […]

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 tedious day at work. You sit down; turn on the radio and one […]

RIDE THE RIGHT WAY

RIDE THE RIGHT WAY

BY JEC ARISTOTLE BALLOU The cornerstone of any aspiring dressage riders’ skills is the ability to help the horse channel fluid movement through his back. We accomplish—and test– this by riding […]

THE BALANCED SEAT

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 […]

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

THE RIDER

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

TEACHING AND LEARNING TO FEEL

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 […]

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

THE HORSE

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 […]

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, […]

BREEDING THE SPORT HORSE

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 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 […]

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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? 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 LINDA LANDERS

  BY LINDA LANDERS - Forward riding has two components in my mind. First, the horse must respond by going forward from the leg and seat aids ... 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…………………………

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

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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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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EXERCISES FOR THE WARM UP

EXERCISES FOR THE WARM UP

DRESSAGE HISTORY: XENOPHON TO ANTOINE DE PLUVINEL

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GAIT ANALYSIS

GAIT ANALYSIS

A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN A HEAD SET!

A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN A HEAD SET!

FROM THIS POINT OF VIEW: THE SHRINKING WARM UP AREA

FROM THIS POINT OF VIEW: THE SHRINKING WARM UP AREA

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