(“Yes, for now. More later!”)

“Is he round enough?” “Is his topline long enough?” These are in-lesson questions from riders for which my simple answer is often “Yes!” When they ask, “Is this enough energy?” my response can be more complicated.

It seems like when you ask a judge that question (or read his Collective Marks comments on a test sheet), all you ever hear is “More, More, More!” Even I react that way at times . . . like if this is good, picture how much better it would be if it could be another notch or two more expressive! But I hasten to add “all other things being equal.”

If additional energy impairs your horse’s relaxation or harmony, then tactically it’s better to leave well enough alone for now.

It’s a matter of being sure he stays comfortable in his own skin and doesn’t over stress from your pressure. Part of the training process is teaching your horse to accept greater physical demands without him losing his cookies. With that in mind, a legitimate answer may be “Yes, for now. More later!”

Keep in mind you always want the ability to produce more stride, more thrust, more impulsion. That doesn’t mean at every moment in your schooling you should be red-lining your horse trying to get it.

In dressage you’ll encounter the rare freak of nature with the mind and the athleticism who can pull out all the stops with no downside to the performance. Unless you’ve got one of them, keep your perspective and write this on your wall: “More isn’t necessarily better!”