#Dressage Training

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.

The Idea of Order: Discussing Training on the Interwebz…

March 12, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Show, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #THE IDEA OF ORDERComments Off

Wasn’t a super swell idea during the early days, still is fairly horrible.

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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The Idea of Order: That Time of the Year…

December 18, 2024Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #HAPPY HOLIDAYS, #pony apocalypse, #THE IDEA OF ORDERComments Off

Where questionable adulting is fine and calling a horse ‘Sparkle Farts’ seems like a legitimate plan.

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.
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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: An Ode to the ‘Normal’ Horse

November 4, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#APHA Dressage, #Dressage Training, #series, #Training in the right wayComments Off

While those seeking international dressage careers will absolutely need freak-show levels of talent, most riders would enjoy the process — and likely realize more competitive success — working with a more average partner.
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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…)