dressage levels

Unpopular Opinion Time: Dressage Needs Another Half Halt

April 11, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Half haltComments Off

We in the dressage community, specifically in the US, need to have some difficult discussions regarding the lack of correct training at the top of the sport. This isn’t anything new, but it continues to keep rearing its head because we continue to gloss over it.

The Idea of Order: Equestrian House Shopping

April 9, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #Horse order form, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

… because it takes a special someone to recognize the beauty of ‘Living Quarters Chic.’

Training in the Right Way: Unraveling the Half Halt

April 7, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson, Morgane Schmidt#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Half haltComments Off

“The half halt is a beautiful, effortless way to ask your horse…” The half halt is many things, and entirely critical to good, effective riding. But it is generally invisible when done well and rarely is it “effortless.” Let’s discuss. (more…)

The Idea of Order: Lies We Tell Ourselves, Part 3

April 2, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #Horse order form, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

Because equestrians are generally an optimistic lot.

The Idea of Order: Spring is in the Air…

March 26, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #Horse order form, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

Or at least the resulting hair is…

Training in the Right Way: Positive vs Negative Riding

March 24, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4KidsComments Off

Those words ALSO do not mean what you think they mean… at least not in the context of effective training.
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The Idea of Order: Horse Order Form…

March 19, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #Horse order form, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

If only it were this easy.

Training in the Right Way: Repetition and Correction…

March 11, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4KidsComments Off

Those words do not mean what you think they mean… at least not in the context of effective training. Here’s why. (more…)

The Idea of Order: Evening Riding

March 5, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #Nope, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

Because what better way to get your cardio in than by trying to catch your steed for a ride during dinner time?

The Idea of Order: Nope.

February 26, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #Nope, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

Because some days and some activities should be optional.

Training in the Right Way: A Clarification on Normal vs Fancy Gaits…

February 23, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4KidsComments Off

Or, rather, why fancy gaits in and of themselves were not the original point of dressage competition (here’s a hint: it was supposed to be about that whole training thing…) (more…)

The Idea of Order: 24 Hours Sans Destruction?

February 19, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #entropy, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

Nope. 25 minutes. Tops.

The Idea of Order: Horses as Entropy – Take # 5,457,302

February 12, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #entropy, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

It’s actually probably higher than that…

Training in the Right Way: “Fancy Warmblood Movement” Is Not the Same as “Quality of Movement” (And This Matters!)

February 10, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4KidsComments Off

“Dressage is for all horses, but all horses aren’t for dressage”… sort of. (more…)

The Idea of Order: Schrödinger’s Lameness…

January 29, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #LAMENESS EXAM, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, schrodingerComments Off

I mean, sure, why not?

Training in the Right Way: Quick Fixes and Light Switches

January 26, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4KidsComments Off

Let’s talk about why you’re more likely to run into Big Foot at Starbucks than find any magical training tactics that produce instant results.
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The Idea of Order: Red Mare vs Winter

January 22, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #New Year's resolution, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

The definition of Volatile.

The Idea of Order: New Year, New Me?

January 15, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #New Year's resolution, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

Or New Year, New Breeches?

Training in the Right Way: Effective Aids vs Not So Much

January 13, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4KidsComments Off

Because it is critical to the training process, let’s take a moment to talk about what effective aids are and what they absolutely are NOT.
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Training in the Right Way: 3 Dressage Movements You Should Master

December 30, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4KidsComments Off

There are three movements most riders aren’t aware of that cannot be judged on talent as their proper execution is the result of correct training alone. These are exercises that riders should pay extra attention to as they are not only a gauge of the quality of your training, but also because they can be honed so that even less talented horses can received exemplary scores on them.
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Training in the Right Way: What Successful Participation in Dressage Looks Like

December 2, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #dressage letters, #Dressage Show, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

Because you will never convince me that consistently getting low scores at Training Level is actually the sort of ‘fun’ you were yearning for.
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Training in the Right Way: The Importance of In-Hand Work

November 18, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4KidsComments Off

Many riders think of dressage as an activity that is solely performed from the saddle. But, in truth, good dressage training often happens on the ground, and adding correct in-hand work to your training program can be a game-changer.
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Training in the Right Way: Olympic Dressage – Where Do We Go From Here?

July 29, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Show, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, DRESSAGE, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, olympics 2024Comments Off

So much has already been said regarding the recent video of Charlotte Dujardin, some of it has been quite thoughtful, some not so much. Although I wasn’t sure that I wanted to add to the noise, I ultimately felt that I would like to offer a potential path forward.
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Training in the Right Way: Road to the Grand Prix — Milestones for Age and Level

January 15, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

A student asked for a timeline for the development of the Grand Prix horse. While there are all sorts of variations and time elements that may get in the way, there is a generally accepted, age-based expectation of the horse’s development.

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