CURRENT Q & A PERSPECTIVES
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF SHOWING? ANSWERED BY IDA ANDERSON NORRIS
By IDA ANDERSON NORRIS – Clearly as an active competitor, constantly competing from Training level to Grand Prix, and as a licensed USEF Senior dressage judge, I like and enjoy competition. […]
WHAT MAKES AN EQUESTRIAN ATHLETE? ANSWERED BY MELONIE KESSLER
By MELONIE KESSLER – To become an equestrian athlete, one must first decide to whom are we referring? The rider or the horse. In today’s world it is an […]
WHAT MAKES AN EQUESTRIAN ATHLETE? ANSWERED BY CHRISTINE RIVLIN
By CHRISTINE RIVLIN – I will speak from a dressage rider’s perspective, as that is my background. The first things that come to mind are the words: adaptable, intelligent, and […]
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 off your horse you […]
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 the muscles through the […]
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 most dressage terms. Riding forward is a relative […]
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF SHOWING ANSWERED BY MELONIE KESSLER
By MELONIE KESSLER – What are the pros and cons of showing? Pros of showing: Aside from the obvious reasons for showing which are motivation to progress, getting a consensus of you […]
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE EXERCISE? ANSWERED BY CYNTHIA HODGES
By CYNTHIA HODGES – In choosing arena exercises, the rider should bear in mind that the ultimate goal of dressage is for the horse to attain balanced self-carriage under the rider. […]
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 “basics” for the rider is having a secure “Basic […]
WHAT DOES DANCING BETWEEN HORSE AND RIDER MEAN? ANSWERED BY GAEL BOURQUIN
By GAEL BOURQUIN – Dancing is movement with measured steps. It can be lively, prancing, gay and sprightly in motion. It can be with or without music. When it involves horse […]
CURRENT BOOK EXCERPTS
FAVEROT DE KERBRECH’S ‘METHODICAL DRESSAGE OF THE RIDING HORSE’
Book Excerpt from: Faverot de Kerbrech’s ‘Methodical Dressage of the Riding Horse‘ PUBLISHED BY XENOPHON PRESS General principles LIGHTNESS AND THE RAMENER Lightness. – The search for and the conservation of lightness […]
THE MANEIGE ROYAL’ BY ANTOINE DE PLUVINEL
Book Excerpt from: The Maneige Royal’ by Antoine de Pluvinel PUBLISHED BY XENOPHON PRESS THE KING I hold in high esteem what you have just said. But I wish to know […]
AN OVERVIEW OF THE THREE TRAINING PHASES OF THE CLASSICAL SCHOOL
An Overview of the Three Training Phases of the Classical School Excepted from Monsieur Baucher and His Art: A Serious Word with Germany’s Riders by Louis Seeger Translated by Cynthia Hodges, […]
DRESSAGE IN THE FRENCH TRADITION by Dom Diogo de Braganco
Dressage in the French Tradition by Dom Diogo de Braganco BOOK EXCERPT FROM Xenophon Press CHARACTERISTICS OF ACADEMIC EQUITATION: THE RASSEMBLER In beginning the study of what […]