Posted on March 10, 2007
In a recent lesson, I was focused on bringing attention to my students leg postion or lack thereof. I video taped the ride so that we could discuss what was going on and this was her response; “You really do keep a good humor, no matter how painful the picture! I read a few parts of the book and looked at parts of my video. I definitely can see the gripping in the trot – it looks like my knees become a sort of pivot point – the knees don’t move, but everything else does! I understand about not gripping, but when the horse takes that first stride, my legs get a life of their own and grab on! The book had an interesting bit about becoming aware of the trot as a side-to-side movement, not just an up-and-down movement – that is, each side of your pelvis has to rise and drop independently as the horse’s body tips slightly side to side, and if you just think of it as up-and-down, you end up bracing against it and bouncing. I’ll pay attention to that next time I ride, and see if it makes sense. Her discussion of using the stomach muscles to pull the pelvis up was interesting, too, because she points out that the other thing those same muscles can do is pull the chest down and upper body forward, which you have to deliberately counter by lifting the chin and chest (sitting tall, as she says). Makes sense”.
I recommend a wonderful book called Anatomy of Dressage
by Heinrich and Volker Schusdziarra. This book will help you feel your body and determine where the tension is. Riding is a lifelong adventure, exciting and frustrating at times. Keep on learning and experimenting and you will find the moment of harmony that is the utmost reward.
Posted on March 9, 2007
Today I was teaching a student who had an “a-ha” moment of how to improve the transitions. First of all you must prepare your horse with a half halt, next you ask with your weight aids first, and very little hand. It is important to test your horses responsiveness to your aids of lowering the heels, shifting the shoulders slightly back, lengthening the spine and sinking into the saddle with relaxed hips. The horse should melt into the transition smoothly and easily. Always take care that your horse has a soft neck which will only be possible if the rider is relaxed in her neck, shoulders and arms.
If your horse tends to brace against your hand in the transition up or down, chances are your hands are too strong. Remember, less is more. Ride with feeling and finesse.
Have someone video your ride to study what you are doing correctly and incorrectly in order to learn how to improve your transitions. 
Posted on March 2, 2007
Here are some of the most common faults seen from the judges box. They are simple to fix and ride correctly. Every horse at training level should be able to get at least a 7 on each movement if ridden correctly, regardless of the gaits. However, the rider should always be striving for higher marks.
Enter trotting on center line
Riders often overshoot the center line, drifting back to the correct line, sometimes losing balance and straightness. It is very easy to practice riding down center line. Remember that when you start to turn in the corner, continue to bend and turn with your eye on the judge, this will put you straight on center line. Also ask for a bit more trot so that you are entering with a sense of purpose and commitment. Finally remember to smile, the judges enjoy seeing riders having fun. More importantly when you smile, you relax your body which effects your horse. Remember do not override, less is more. The goal is to ride in harmony with your horse. Show the judge a dance rather than a drill.
Ride a Circle
Do not ride an ameba, a box or an egg. Learn to ride a proper circle. Have a friend video tape your schooling to see if you actually are riding a circle.
Do not rush your Halt
Establish your halt. Count to 5, exhale and relax. Very often the rider will halt beautifully and then rush off to the next movement. Slow everything down. Breathe.
Ride the Correct Diagonal
Again, keep your eye on the destination and ride with purpose and conviction to that letter, the diagonal line should be straight, balanced and the same rhythm. The new tests at training level allow posting trot, so do not disrupt the rhythm of your trot by switching the posting diagonal at X, wait until the corner at the end of the arena. Commit to the line, soften, breathe. Your scores will improve.
Posted on March 1, 2007
Sometimes your horse may start to flatten out in his canter stride and you feel that you need more jump. A simple and effective excercise is to ride a 20 meter circle after several warm up stretches in each gait.
On the 20 meter circle you will trot half of it and canter half and repeat until the transitions are smooth. Remember that the aid from canter to trot is to sit down, outside heel down, outside shoulder slightly back, half halt outside rein and soften. This will shift the balance of your horse into the trot. Feel the horse when he starts to trot and give the rein at that moment to reward him for understanding. Always think of a soft neck. Take your time and breathe. The goal is for the trot to be forward.
To add difficulty to this excercise, try to canter/trot at each quarter of the 20 meter circle. Count the strides to determine if you are symmetrical. Once mastered, you can decrease the size of the circle to 15 meters and go back to only 2 transitions at the half way point. Finally for the most difficult test, try a 10 meter circle and ride a transition at each half way point.
Take care that the rhythm does not change, your horse is straight, balanced and forward thinking. Always finish with another stretch down to reward your horse. Remember, never rush, ride with integrity and focus. Your horse will improve his canter stride and strengthen his muscles.
Posted on February 28, 2007
Winter is coming to an end with longer and warmer days. Our hens are starting to lay eggs again which is a sure sign of a new season. Here are Alex and Jillian,feeding the girls their favorite pasta and lettuce and checking to see if they have enough water. 
Posted on February 27, 2007
Spring is just around the corner. It is time to start planning the summer events. Sunday, April 22 is the first warm-up cross country day at Stonegate Farm in Pleasant Valley. There is also a Jumping Derby to look forward to on Sunday, May 20. Check the website www.stonegatexc.com for details.
Check into qualifying for dressage4kids in August, go to the web site www.dressage4kids.com
Posted on February 27, 2007
Mini Hop helps Jillian celebrate her 7th birthday at Windrock Farm. Many of her friends and classmates from Brearly ventured to Windrock Farm to ride Moneypenny and Reba, feed the chickens, climb mountains of snow, eat yummy food, decorate cookies and pin the tail on Mini Hop. Here Mini is surrounded by his admirers hoping for a carrot or a piece of apple. Happy Birthday Jilli!!!!!
Posted on February 23, 2007
With only a few more weeks of winter, you will have to continue to ride indoors until the footing thaws and becomes safe. Take care to cool your horse out sufficiently before heading out into the raw cold winter weather. Make the best use of this time training indoors to practice riding your center lines, corners and circles perfectly. Here Bond observes Oassis being put through her paces.
Posted on February 23, 2007
Posted on February 23, 2007
To Know means to be silent, utterly silent
so you can hear the still, small voice within
To Know means to drop the mind.
When you are absolutely still, unmoving,
nothing wavers in you,
the doors open.
You are part of this mysterious existence.
You know it by becoming part of it,
by becoming a participant in it.
That is knowing.