BY IDA ANDERSON NORRIS Three weekends out of four, for most of the year, find me at a ... continue reading...
LESSONS
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
THE TRAINING
RIDING AUF DOPPELTRENSE: INTRODUCING THE HORSE TO THE DOUBLE BRIDLE
BY CYNTHIA HODGES, J.D., LL.M., M.A. Graduating to the double bridle is a milestone in the horse’s training. This article discusses how to make the transition easier for the […]
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 […]
LOOKING AT IMPULSION
BY JENNY ROLFE Have you ever taken timeless moments to look over the gate of the field watching your horse when he is relaxing and grazing in the field? […]
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 […]
THE RIDER
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 HORSE
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 MYTH OF THE NARROW TWIST
BY ZSUZSU ILLES Over and over again I hear “I need a narrow twist.” So why do I repeatedly answer, ”Not necessarily so”? Because a saddle with a narrow twist […]
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 […]
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 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...
By JOAN WILLIAMS – The most important basics for the rider: Basic Balanced Position (BBP) I believe the most important component of ... continue reading...
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...
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS TO IMPROVE THE HORSE’S TOPLINE? ANSWERED…..
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 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...
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 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……..
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 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 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...
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...
