#Dressage Showing

Training in the Right Way: Strength and Agility

December 16, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#Dressage Show, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, classical dressageComments Off

Because you probably wouldn’t sign up for an Iron Man without first training for it.
(more…)

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.
(more…)

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.
(more…)

Training in the Right Way: Types of Suppleness

October 21, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage terminology, Dressage4KidsComments Off

Yes, there is more than one type — and knowing what they are and how to recognize them is critical to training in the right way. (more…)

The Idea of Order: Pumpkin Spice

October 16, 2024Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Show, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #HALLOWEEN, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, Spooky SeasonComments Off

Does not mean the same thing to everyone.

Training in the Right Way: Bringing Your Horse Back Into Work

October 7, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Show, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #Training in the right wayComments Off

Horses need an incremental approach when returning to physical exertion after some time off. With the weather obliterating our training programs, it’s a solid time to review how to approach bringing your sound horse back into work after an unplanned break. (more…)

Training in the Right Way: When to Compete

September 23, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#AQHA Dressage, #Dressage Show, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #Training in the right way, classical dressage, competition dressageComments Off

With Regional Championships well underway and the show season in Florida starting to ramp up, this week’s article discusses some of the things to consider when developing your plan for the upcoming competition season.

The Idea of Order: Equestrian Balance…

August 28, 2024Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Show, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Equestrian Balance, #THE IDEA OF ORDERComments Off

I’d like to think we have an abundance of this, but…

Training in the Right Way: Where Language Fails Us in Training

August 26, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #HORSE TRAINING, #horsetraining, #Training in the right wayComments Off

Language is a funny thing, being simultaneously necessary and unavoidably imperfect…
(more…)

The Idea of Order: This sounds familiar…

August 21, 2024Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Show, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #THE IDEA OF ORDERComments Off

I suppose one might argue that love is never wasted…(even if it is one-sided)

Training in the Right Way: Limited Knowledge Is Limited Judgement

August 12, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Show, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking DressageComments Off

Because although everyone is entitled to their opinion, some opinions are of more objective value.
(more…)

The Idea of Order: Things My Horse Could Olympic Medal in…

August 7, 2024Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, horseshoes, olympic medalComments Off

That I’d rather he not.

The Idea of Order: Texts Your Trainer Could Do Without

July 31, 2024Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, #theideaoforder.com, texts from hellComments Off

Seriously, don’t be that person.

The Idea of Order: Telling Lies…

July 24, 2024Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage as OCD, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #THE IDEA OF ORDERComments Off

Mostly to ourselves, which makes it ok. Probably.

The Idea of Order: ‘Sensible’ Vehicles…

July 17, 2024Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #IDEA OF ORDER, sensible vehicleComments Off

Let’s talk semantics…

Training in the Right Way: Why the U.S. Should be Training Our Own Olympic Horses

July 14, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, DRESSAGE, olympics 2024Comments Off

The United States has come to rely on European bred and trained horses in order to field our international dressage teams, and this is problematic. Let’s talk about why.
(more…)

Let’s Talk About “Plus-Sized” Riders — And Also, Something Called Grace

July 12, 2024Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt#Dressage Show, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #USDF, #USEF, plus size riderComments Off

Someone left me to my own devices to troll social media unattended. I’m sorry.

The Idea of Order: Shopping for Yourself vs Shopping for Your Horse

July 10, 2024Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Show, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, #USDFComments Off

Decisions were made.

The Idea of Order: Waiving Jackets…

July 3, 2024Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#APHA Dressage, #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Show, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, #USDF, #USDFRegionalsComments Off

A great idea in theory…

Training in the Right Way: Using the Dressage Arena To Maximize Your Training

July 1, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #dressage letters, #Dressage Show, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #HORSE TRAINING, #horsetrainer, #Training in the right way, #USDF, #USEFComments Off

Have you ever considered why the standard dressage arena is the very specific size and shape that it is? Spoiler alert: It does serve a purpose.
(more…)

The Idea of Order: Good Fences Make…

June 19, 2024Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, electric fenceComments Off

Excellent chew toys.

Training in the Right Way: The Process vs The End Goal

June 4, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #HORSE TRAINING, #horsetraining, #Training in the right way, #Training Scale, #USDF, #USEFComments Off

This week’s article discusses the significant difference between the end goal and the process of getting there. Although they obviously are inextricably linked, it’s important to understand that they often look very different.
(more…)

The Idea of Order: Just Another Friday Night…

May 22, 2024Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Show, #Dressage Showing, #HORSE SHOW, #THE IDEA OF ORDERComments Off

Spent developing various forms of arthritis and covered in dust, horse hair, and other questionable substances.

(more…)

Training in the Right Way: What to Look for in a Dressage Horse, Part 4 — Exercises for the Imperfect Horse

May 20, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Show, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #USDF, #USEFComments Off

This final installment of the four-part series on choosing a dressage horse takes a closer look at how specific dressage exercises can be used to improve the ride-ability of a less-than-perfect horse.
(more…)

Training in the Right Way: What to Look for in a Dressage Horse, Part 3 — Movement

May 6, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Show, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #USDF, #USEFComments Off

Today’s article takes a closer look at movement. In order to choose a horse for dressage, or evaluate the one you have, you need to understand what the base-line requirements for movement are, be able to visualize them, and understand why they are necessary.
(more…)