By MELONIE KESSLER Riding for all ages for the rider Dressage is a fun and challenging sport, ... 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 […]
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
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
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 […]
THE TRAINING
STEP BY STEP
BY DR. THOMAS RITTER You hear more and more often of riders who try to train their horses in record time. Some argue that foals can perform practically all […]
INFLUENCING THE HORSE: THE HALF HALT
BY CYNTHIA HODGES, J.D., LL.M., M.A. The ultimate purpose of dressage is to teach the horse to carry himself in balance under the rider. To develop balance and self-carriage, 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 […]
DRESSAGE: STRENGTHENING THE HIND LEGS
BY CYNTHIA HODGES, JD, LLM, MA Strengthening the hind legs is key in dressage because balance is the ultimate goal. When the horse can carry himself and the rider in balance, […]
THE RIDER
THE RIDER POSITION AND SEAT
BY JENNY ROLFE The rider can become highly influential when he learns how to sit on a horse, in self carriage, allowing both stability and fluidity – from the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
THE HORSE
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 JOAN WILLIAMS – The most important basics for the rider: Basic Balanced Position (BBP) I believe the most important component of ... continue reading...
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 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...
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 SOME WAYS TO IMPROVE THE HORSE’S TOPLINE? ANSWERED…..
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 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 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...
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……..
By JOAN WILLIAMS – “Ride your horse forward and straighten it” and “Freely Forward” are just two well known dressage and pony club ... 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 CYNTHIA HODGES - Forward riding is an essential element in achieving the ultimate goal of dressage: balanced self-carriage. To carry the ... 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...
