BILL– Other than a few exceptions noted below, the answer is a resounding no! Back in the day when we had a live-in working student, I found that three lessons a week worked pretty well. It was okay if during another day or two, they were semi-supervised, but all riders need time to figure things out on their own, to experiment, to learn how to screw up, notice the problem, and engineer a fix for it. You can’t do this if you are never allowed to take a step on your own. Read More

My instructor sometimes mentions names of people from a long time ago and looks at me funny when I don’t know who they are.
Is it important to know of these people? Read More

I’m a new boarder being pressured to ride with a visiting clinician.
Is it important that I agree to ride with her? Read More

BILL– The answer to this question hinges on a couple of factors. First of all—how deep into a corner can you ride? If you ride a deep corner that causes your horse to lose the bend, to stiffen, to hollow, or to shorten his stride, then you shouldn’t ride that deeply. A more shallow corner that lets you maintain all those qualities is always better than a deep one which doesn’t work. Read More

This blog originated with a question from a mother concerning the dressage rides of her young daughter: Read More

So…to me Ollie feels great working higher, more adjustability, shoulders and haunches more flexible or at my service. My question is, he is very light in bridle but seems to be doing what I ask. Should I be concerned he is not taking enough contact or not pushing into my hands? At times I feel him more but then when I bump him up off the bottom of my rein he really lightens…I think this is good. Kathy, IL Read More

In my First Level test the judge saw “uneven” steps again during my last trot lengthening. He was really pushing and I felt he enjoyed it. So my question is — Is “uneven” a lameness or a balance thing or a “too fast” thing or what?? Read More

Here’s the scoop:

1. The geometry is exactly the same as it is for the training test three trot loop – Be sure to go in the corner before H and after K; the loop itself should be symmetrical like a bell curve; the bend of the figure should change each time you’re crossing the quarter line. Read More

An interesting question. My initial response is “Prove to whom?” If in your particular circumstance the answer is “to your insurance company” or “to your husband,” then you’ve contracted with an entity beyond anyone’s control. Do what you have to do. Read More

I have no problem with what the judge did here. The Collectives, which used to be called the General Impressions, are just that. They sum up the ride in three numbers (leaving out the rider score for the moment). When a student brings a test sheet back to her instructor, “6-7-7” conjures up a very particular image. (I’m guessing that rider score would be fairly high also.) Here, the judge is saying the horse may not be the best mover, but he’s being presented in a way that amplifies whatever natural talent he has. Collectives which read “7-6-5” call to mind a decent mover showing signs of tension or acceptance issues. The 6 for Impulsion is probably related to the lack of swing in his back or lack of suppleness—both qualities you find in the fine print in the Impulsion block. Read More