One thread that ran throughout the 1998 National Symposium was collection and how to develop it. Kyra Kyrklund made sure everyone understood that collecting a horse is much more complicated than somehow kicking and pulling him together. Neither is it just making his strides and frame shorter. Read More

“A flying change of lead at the canter is just a horse’s natural way to re-balance himself,” observed Kyra Kyrklund at the 1998 National Symposium. “Even foals do them in the field. The trick is really just to get the horse to do the change when we want.” Read More

At the 1999 National Symposium, Conrad Schumacher outlined his approach in terms of the familiar Training Scale from the German handbook, Principles of Riding, and he made frequent reference to the classical figures of the “old masters.” He said at one point, “We all use the same words. The difference is in what we do.” Read More

At the 1999 National Symposium Conrad Schumacher assumed that most participants were familiar with the Training Scale for the Horse from the German handbook, Principles of Riding (and featured in the USDF Instructors’ Manual). “But there’s another scale,” he said. “It is hardly ever talked about, and you won’t find it in any books.” It is a progressive scale of development for the rider. Read More

At the 1999 National Symposium, Conrad Schumacher outlined his approach in terms of the familiar Training Scale from the German handbook, Principles of Riding, and he made frequent reference to the classical figures of the “old masters.” He said at one point, “We all use the same words. The difference is in what we do.” Read More

What better place to go “back to the future” of dressage than Orlando, Florida, home of Universal Studios, Disney, and the 1996 USDF National Dressage Symposium? Imagine all within a stone’s throw: Mickey, Goofy, Shamu, and more than 750 dressage addicts encamped at the Grand Cypress Equestrian Center for two days of exquisite lecture and demonstration. Founded on the spirit of the Violet Hopkins National Instructors’ Seminars and graciously sponsored by Footings Unlimited, the fifth annual Symposium was conducted by four of our past American Olympians. Read More

In all my years belonging to the USDF, the organization has always seemed about as radical as a Boy Scout who escorts little old ladies across the street. I actually remember hearing a debate about whether a chambon should be mentioned at the old National Instructors’ Seminar because it was suggested we shouldn’t let on we knew about them. So it seems somehow ironic that the USDF would come to the home of Barry Goldwater and then invite one of the world’s more controversial dressage stars to conduct its National Symposium. Read More

I’m looking for a polite way to explain how this April’s USDF National Dressage Symposium was “different.” Having attended every one since the inaugural symposium in 1992 and ten of the eleven National Instructors’ Seminars in the years immediately preceding them, I figure I should be allowed to make comparisons. Read More

DEFINED:

As stated in the AHSA Rules (1992-1993), “Leg yielding is the most basic of all the lateral movements and should be included in the training of the horse before he is ready for collected work.” It supples the horse, making him loose and unconstrained, and it teaches him to obey the sideways (and forward) driving aids. It is also an excellent means of teaching the novice rider to coordinate his aids. Read More