Many people ask me about the choreography of their freestyle pattern. One of the confusions surrounding a freestyle pattern is what is allowed and what is forbidden at a certain level. Before you…

1.     Choose music that has dynamic changes. Dynamic changes are audible changes within the music (either volume or intensity) where you can make transitions. (for example, the music…

You can help your stiff horse bend better by using benign antagonism. Remember, benign antagonism is just a training philosophy that allows you to custom design your program for each and every horse.…

I start with these blank arena diagrams... I find them useful for a number of things. 1. Memorizing regulation tests. 2. Learning the exact geometry of the arena. 3. Learning my exact tangent…

The idea of the “perfect riding” music has been in my head since last Saturday night when I was fortunate enough to watch some of the best riders in the world compete in the Masters…

Before you can pick the perfect music for your horse, you need to understand the difference between rhythm and tempo. Many people use the words rhythm and tempo interchangeable, but they do not mean…

Ride your HORSE to MUSIC and solve training issues! Whether you are riding a dressage musical freestyle, or just riding your horse to music, there are TIPS you should know before you start. Over the…

    Robert Dover: Then and Now Six-time Olympian Robert Dover has been at the forefront of U.S. dressage for many years. He began competing internationally in 1984. As the most…

With a young horse, you do changes of canter lead through the trot. Around Second level, you do simple changes of lead. In a simple change, your horse goes from canter to walk and back to canter…

People often ask me to explain the difference between "running" and "lengthenings". In fact, in this article I'm also going to describe the difference between running, lengthenings, medium gaits, and…

Regardless of which discipline you ride, it's very important to sit straight and square in the saddle. Can you tell if you're collapsing at your waist and sitting crookedly? Ask a ground person to…

Goals: When you begin to start thinking about making a musical freestyle or Kur for you and your horse, you should have some clear goals in mind before you get started. You must be able to answer some…

1. What is the free walk? The free walk is a gait of relaxation. 2. What should it look like? * Your horse should lengthen his frame and lower his head and neck so he looks like he’s going to…

                 Over the last few years, the cost of horse shows has been increasing steadily. However, recently with…

                 Shoulder-in and renvers are two lateral movements that are introduced in Second Level. Shoulder-in…

                 The leg yield is a lateral movement introduced in First Level. The dressage tests are designed with…

How to tack for dressage   Dressage is a very formal sport where the rider’s dress and tack are designed to exhibit the pair, not to be a distraction. All dress and tack should be spotless…

How to remember and prepare for a dressage test   You are scared that you will hear the whistle blow and immediately forget your dressage test. Or you will get nervous and not pay attention to…

The Importance of Leg Position in Dressage               In dressage, the rider’s legs are used in conjunction with the seat and reins…