We spend a lot of time obsessing over details in dressage. I think it’s probably due to our personality types. Or maybe it’s just me! I’ve read volumes on it and tried to follow lots of exercises to always know where the horse's legs are and where my legs are. It wasn’t until I started teaching it that I began to break it down into smaller sections so I could explain to others the timing of the aid that I do with my body in a movement. It also helps that for my fitness traini

Do you have a riding dream? Spring brings me a fresh interest in my goals. Sure, I have my weekly plan. But something about this time of year brings me great joy but also great pain in my training plan. For you maybe it’s getting to the next level. Maybe it’s getting the correct canter lead. Maybe you want to post on the correct diagonal without having to look. Maybe you’re like me and you’re so close to your ultimate goal and then it just slips through your fingers and you d

How do you know you are progressing? Does a show prove it? What if you have an unbelievably disastrous show of no fault of your own? You’re riding your test in an arena by the road. Your professional-minded mare is a totally listening to you but then comes the attack! Two motorcycles decide to see how close they can do 90 mph and rev the engine near the arena at A. Remember A is right by the road. Your mare reacts with a huge buck and then several small bucks. The motorcycl

The day after Halloween is referred to as All Saints’ Day. Sometimes you feel like your horse is the same—one day dressed up like a scary monster and the next day a saint! This dual personality in a horse is pretty normal. Read that sentence again – it’s normal. Your horse is not randomly possessed! But how do you ride this dual minded animal? What are the triggers? How can you tell if today is going to be a good day or not? How can you turn a ride that’s going not so well i