Dressage Today

02/09/2024

🐴 DRESSAGE SOLUTIONS: To create soft downward transitions ... 🐴

Imagine that your transitions land gently like leaves floating to the ground.
~ Dressage trainer Kathy Connelly

01/09/2024

Hear a bit from U.S. Olympic dressage rider Adrienne Lyle as she works with an adult amateur rider to get her horse forward off the leg. Tempo is the top priority for this pair before they work on things like straightness and bend. Lyle also stresses to keep the hands as quiet as possible when adding energy to avoid giving the horse mixed signals.

Click the link below to listen or find us wherever you get your podcasts!

Olympic dressage rider and trainer Adrienne Lyle explains how to ask a horse to move forward off the leg and reward for the correct response.

01/09/2024

🐴💦 “Anhidrosis is a strange condition. It’s often as hard to understand why it disappears as it is to know why it develops. It’s thought that the response to the circulating ‘fight or flight’ hormone epinephrine is switched off in the sweat glands, although how that happens is a mystery.” 🐴💦
~ Robert J. MacKay, BVSc, PhD, DACVIM, and professor at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine

After my Thoroughbred Memphis was diagnosed with anhidrosis, I made it my mission to learn everything I could to help him cope during the summer's brutal heat. Click on the link below to learn how to manage this challenging condition even in hot, humid climates with smart management strategies.

You can successfully manage anhidrosis even in hot, humid climates with smart management strategies.

31/08/2024

🐴🇫🇷 "The choice was mine. I could spend my whole life asking ‘Why me?’ and turning away from all I wanted to do. Or I could acknowledge that I still wanted to be an athlete. I could start asking ‘Why not me?’ and embrace this new normal and the opportunities for riding and competing that went with it. If I really wanted to fulfill my potential as a rider and as a human being I had to turn this around.” 🇫🇷🐴
~ Canadian dressage Paralympian Lauren Barwick

With Para Dressage competition kicking off next week at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, we wanted to reshare Barwick's inspiring story. After breaking her back when a 100-pound hay bale fell 10 feet down onto her spine, she never recovered feeling or movement from her waist down.

Click on the link below to read how the Paralympian overcame her feelings of hopelessness to pursue her dreams in the saddle.

Learn how this amazing dressage rider overcame challenge and continues to develop her riding career.

30/08/2024

🐴🇺🇸 HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND! 🇺🇸🐴⁣

⁣We hope you and your horse have exciting plans over our last summer holiday weekend! Have fun, be safe and let us know how you and your horse are bonding over the next three days.

29/08/2024

🐴 Listen to the latest Dressage Today Podcast for a special interview and big announcement from dressage trainer Stephany Fish Crossman! 🐴

To listen, click on the link below.

This podcast is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Equine Health.

Listen for a special interview and announcement from Stephanie, Aviva and Stephany Fish Crossman.

27/08/2024

🐴❤️“A horse’s heart is so powerful it can directly influence a human’s heart rhythm—almost like a magnet. The research on horses’ healing capacity continues to provide fascinating insight into these magnificent animals and the bilateral healing they provide to trauma survivors.”🐴❤️
~ Vanessa Schmidt, founder of The Wild Hope Center for Healing—a non-profit organization providing equine-assisted therapy for human-trafficking survivors based in Austin, Texas

Research conducted by the HeartMath Institute found that horses have a “coherent” heart rate pattern. This type of heart rhythm provides a robust measure of well-being and is indicative of a system that can very efficiently recover from and adjust to stress. To read more from our sister brand EQUUS, click on the link in the Comments below.

27/08/2024

🐴TACK-TALK TUESDAY: Test Your Noseband Knowledge!🐴
"Happy is the word I use when I’ve found the right noseband for a particular horse. The most important thing is paying attention to what your horse goes well in. He should be comfortable in his job, respond easily and you have a 'go’ and ‘whoa’ without a lot of head chucking or fussing.”
~ Five-star eventer Sharon White

How well do you understand the function of different types of nosebands? Click on the link below to find the right noseband for your horse and become a noseband know-it-all.

Learn about the different kinds of nosebands and what they do to pick the right one for your horse.

26/08/2024

🐴🗞️“As the governing body, the FEI is prepared to take the necessary decisions to ensure that we are living up to our promise to ‘Be a Guardian’ for our equine partners and to improve the standards of safety and care in our sport. As the sport evolves, we must adapt and find effective solutions to current challenges."🗞️🐴
~ FEI President Ingmar De Vos

The FEI will be hosting a key meeting with stakeholders on October 1 to launch in-depth discussions on addressing the challenges currently impacting the sport of dressage. Click on the link below to read more.

The FEI will host a comprehensive meeting with stakeholder groups to develop a long-term strategy to ensure the sport's sustainability and growth.

26/08/2024

🐴🥕German grand prix dressage rider and trainer David Thind talks about improving body awareness for a better seat.🐴🥕

To read more, click on the link in the Comments below.

25/08/2024

DRESSAGE SOLUTIONS: To maintain a correct upper body position through corners ...

Imagine you are balancing on an exercise ball. If you lean your torso into a turn, your seat bones will push the ball (your horse) in the opposite direction. To help the horse balance, keep your spine straight and use your shoulders to turn. Your seat bones will follow. Try it on a ball, it works!
~ Jane Kelly

Jane Kelly is a USDF gold, silver and bronze medalist, “L” Education Program graduate and associate instructor based in Powhatan, Virginia.

24/08/2024

🐴🏋️ "Yes, it would be nice to get your 20-year-old physical self back. But personally, I’d only want that if I got to keep the knowledge and self-development I have now. My horse would agree. Look at what you have: more awareness, better grip on emotions, more knowledge and perhaps more resources to take opportunities you couldn’t take before." 🏋️🐴
~ Personal performance coach Heather Sansom

For Sansom's unmounted fitness exercises for mature dressage riders, click on the link below.

Rider fitness tips to improve flexibility, mobility and strength for the over-40 rider

23/08/2024

🐴“In counter canter, the focus is on helping the outside hind leg to step up under the horse’s body. This encourages him to carry more weight on the outside hind which will help him properly propel forward in a good balance.”
~ George Williams on utilizing the counter canter for straightness and collection in the latest edition of our Dressage Today Extra

To read about Williams' four exercises at the counter canter and veterinarians' top tips for keeping your horse safe and comfortable in the heat, click on the link below.

George Williams provides exercises at the counter canter to develop straightness and collection. Plus, three veterinarians offer tips on keeping your horse safe and comfortable in the heat.

22/08/2024

“To ride a quality trot-canter transition think about riding your horse with a steady forward rhythm and tempo to make sure he has enough forward driving energy to pick up the canter using his hind legs and back. You want to have enough RPMs in trot that you could canter at any moment without speeding up beforehand.”

For the rest of the 2 min article including exercises to develop, click on the link below.

Do you ever feel like you and your horse just aren't in sync? Either you're kicking them forward all the time or you're half halting every stride! Your canter transitions always seem to come several strides after you ask for them, and you struggle with keeping your horse round and focused? The reaso...

22/08/2024

🐴DIARIES OF MY NERDY HORSE-SHOW ENSEMBLES🐴⁣
I opted to just go ahead and embarrass myself today! PLEASE share pics of your early riding fashion faux pas and make me feel better about my unfortunate choices as a budding young rider. At my first “show,” which was more a glorified last-day-of-camp demo for parents, I decided the white sailor shirt paired with acid-washed jeans and a woven Western belt—topped off with a Jack-the-Pumpkin-Head helmet—would make for a smashing presentation. Fast-forward a few years: I was grateful to see that I’d upgraded to breeches, a less-pumpkin-head helmet and some type of ill-fitting show shirt—likely made out of that horrible 90s fabric—but rubber boots? Come on, girl!⁣
~ DT Digital Managing Editor Alana Harrison⁣

⁣We'd LOVE to see your worst horse-show wardrobe choices! Please share!⁣

21/08/2024

🐴🦷DOES YOUR HORSE DO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING?🦷🐴
• Have trouble holding his head straight when ridden
• Have difficulty bending to the left or right
• Chew on the bit or excessively or turn his head when consuming grain
• Eat slowly or drop a lot of hay when eating
• Act head shy or resist when receiving oral deworming paste

These and many other behaviors could be signs that your equine partner is in need of some dental care. To learn more about how a balanced mouth can help improve your horse’s quality of life as well as boost his performance under saddle, click on the link below.

Learn how a balanced mouth can improve your horse’s quality of life as well as boost his performance under saddle.

20/08/2024

🐴COMPETITIVE EDGE:🐴 We've all been there. One moment, you're cruising through a pretty perfect dressage test, and the next moment you've lost all focus and have no clue where you're piloting your horse next.

TRY THIS TIP: "Instead of picturing yourself riding the perfect test, imagine staying focused in spite of any possible distractions. I once had a horse who sneezed when he got nervous at shows. If I visualized myself keeping my cool no matter what he did, his sneezing wouldn’t rattle me. Do the same with any habits your horse has. For example, if his haunches tend to drift sideways on the centerline, visualize yourself closing your right or left leg as necessary to keep him straight."
~ Advanced-level eventer Laura VanderVliet

For more on VanderVliet's advice to stay focused and on course during dressage tests and jumper and hunter courses, click on the link below.

Advice for a rider who struggles to stay focused and on course in dressage and jumping tests at events.

19/08/2024

🐴 "The walk-canter transition doesn't show up in competition until Second Level. This is because in dressage, we want more than just an obedient transition. We expect a clear transition with more weight on the hindquarters as the horse steps into a collected canter. A clean, balanced walk–canter transition in a calm and confident demeanor can be a significant step for a Training Level horse and rider." 🐴
~ USEF "S" dressage judge Debbie Rodriguez

To read about Rodriguez's top tips for executing a clean walk-canter departure, click on the link below.

USEF “S” dressage judge Debbie Rodriguez offers tips on schooling a clean walk-canter depart

19/08/2024

Ready for the ultimate glow-up? Enter our PHOVIA Ultimate Glow-Up Contest and stand a chance to win a $300 Schneider's gift card! Discover Phovia’s revolutionary skin-rejuvenation system that reduces inflammation and accelerates regeneration. Don’t miss out—enhance your glow today!

Ready for the ultimate glow-up? Enter our PHOVIA Ultimate Glow-Up Contest and stand a chance to win a $300 Schneider's gift card! Discover Phovia’s revolutionary skin-rejuvenation system that reduces inflammation and accelerates regeneration.

17/08/2024

🐴 "We are excited to announce that we’ll be launching a new digital version of our favorite, longstanding department—PH Tack Room—to help you navigate the endless pastures of products out there and find tack, equipment and apparel for you and your horse that will be sure to add value, joy or a splash of color to your partnership." 🐴
~ Alana Harrison, Digital Managing Editor at Practical Horseman and Dressage Today

We got a sneak peak of the newest, most innovative equestrian products on the market during the August 2024 AETA trade show. Click on the link below for a preview of some exciting new products that we'll definitely be talking more about in our digital PH Tack Room!

In conjunction with the 2024 August AETA trade show, we're announcing a new digital version of Practical Horseman's longtime department—PH Tack Room. Stay tuned!

16/08/2024

🐴 As the dog days of summer linger, we hope you get some quality horse time with your equine BFF this weekend. But stay cool out there in the heat! 🐴

📸 Alana Harrison/Practical Horseman

15/08/2024

🐴🍞 "Simple carbs may actually be a better choice before riding because they break down quickly and therefore can be used as an immediate energy source, whereas complex carbs take longer to break down due to their high-fiber content. An example of a simple carb to eat before riding would be apple sauce, as opposed to an apple which has more fiber." 🍎🐴
~ Equestrian dietician and lifelong rider Natalie Gavi on debunking common nutrition myths

Gavi sets the record straight on 6 common sports nutrition misconceptions to help riders achieve peak health and performance. Click on the link below to improve your equestrian nutrition smarts.

Learn more about common misconceptions surrounding sports nutrition and what riders can do to be healthier athletes

14/08/2024

🐴 "You must actually RIDE the walk. If you allow the horse to walk poorly—with a lack of energy, an incorrect rhythm, hollowness or without stretching toward the bit—how does he know you want a good free walk in your dressage test?"
~ Grand Prix dressage rider and trainer Eliza Sydnor Romm on the importance of encouraging your horse to produce a quality free walk

To read more about what constitutes a correct free walk and for Sydnor Romm's tips on how to consistently achieve a winning free walk, click on the link below.

Understand what constitutes a correct free walk and learn how you can help your horse produce a better free walk.

13/08/2024

🐴🪰👢Nothing left to say, LOL! 🐴🪰👢

13/08/2024

Enter now to win big during the EquiSUMMIT E-Gift Card Extravaganza! 🎉 Three winners will win a $100 Amazon e-gift card. 💸

Enter now for a chance to win one of three $100 Amazon e-gift cards! Don’t miss out—your next shopping spree could be on us!

12/08/2024

🐴🥕 Sports psychologist and performance coach Jenny Susser talks about the importance of practicing visualization techniques to improve your performance in the dressage ring. 🐴🥕

To read more about Susser's specific visualization methods, click on the link in the Comments below.

09/08/2024

🐴🇫🇷 The unique bond riders with disabilities share with their horses demonstrates to the world that great riding is not based on force. Instead, it's built over time based on love and understanding—and a lot of hard work. 🐴🇫🇷
~ FEI report on the upcoming Paralympics at the Paris 2024 Summer Games

Now that Olympic eventing, Grand Prix dressage and show jumping are in our rearview mirror, we're getting excited about the upcoming Para Dressage competition. To read more about the incredibly unique partnerships Paralympic riders share with their mounts, click on the link below.

After last week's action-packed Olympic equestrian events, the Paralympic riders get ready to show off the incredibly unique partnerships they share with their horses.

04/08/2024

🐴🇫🇷 “I don’t think we’ll ever get to ride in such an arena again. This is the most incredible dance floor in the world, probably. I am overwhelmed and extremely grateful to have been able to perform here.” 🐴🇫🇷
~ Germany's Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, who took her second consecutive individual Olympic gold following the Grand Prix Freestyle earlier today, on Versailles' stunning equestrian venue at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

To read more about von Bredow-Werndl and her mare TSF Dalera BB's unbelievable freestyle performance to French-inspired music and for our full report on the final day of Olympic dressage competition, click on the link below.

To the melody of their signature French-inspired freestyle music, Germany’s von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB take their second consecutive individual gold at the Grand Prix Freestyle.

04/08/2024

🐴🇫🇷 “Today I woke up and thought, OK, it’s all about trust. We are enough. I have to trust myself and I have to trust Dalera. It was about letting go, to surrender." 🐴🇫🇷
~ Germany's Jessica von Bredow-Werndl after a stunning performance aboard mare TSF Dalera BB during the Grand Prix Freestyle at the final day of dressage competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

For a behind-the-scenes' glimpse of the most memorable moments from the Grand Prix Freestyle on the final day of Olympic dressage competition, click on the link below. Our full report on today’s freestyle competition is coming soon!

Germany takes individual gold and silver at the Grand Prix Freestyle during the final day of dressage competition at the Paris Games.

03/08/2024

The Grand Prix Special paved the way to team medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games! 🥇🥈🥉

Click on the link below to see our photo gallery of Saturday's top moments. ⬇️

The Grand Prix Special determined the Olympic dressage team medals, and it was a fight to the finish for gold.