Back on Easter bank holiday weekend I attended a dressage clinic at Toberton Lodge. Now you are probably thinking sure that’s a good while ago, and it is but I figured it made sense to work on what we covered and see how it went before I wrote about it. Our clinic was with IrelandsContinue reading “A Dressage Clinic with a London 2012 Champion”
Tag Archives: Dressage
When Opportunity Met Preparation
“Luck is when preparation meets opportunity” is one of my favourite phrases. So often in competition, especially when things go wrong, we talk about what you can buy – the best horse with the most potential, the expensive clothing, the sessions with the best coach / instructor / sports psychologist. However it is the existenceContinue reading “When Opportunity Met Preparation”
Riding Club Festival – Survival Tips
It is almost time for the annual riding clubs festival. Times have been issued, weather apps are being consulted, child of prague statues are being plonked out on doorsteps, plans are being made and lists are being written. You can check out what I learned at last year’s festival here. In the meantime, considering IContinue reading “Riding Club Festival – Survival Tips”
A Holstein, A Half Hanoverian and a Whole Lot of Work
A few weeks ago the big lady and I headed off on another adventure, this time to a dressage clinic with Heike Holstein. The horse (the half hanoverian) twigged that she was going somewhere as soon as the travel boots appeared and decided to dig a hole in her bed in excitement, as youContinue reading “A Holstein, A Half Hanoverian and a Whole Lot of Work”
“So, How Did You Get On?”
Shows in general: “He / She was BRILLIANT” = I was sadly not that brilliant and we did not place hence the lack of any other details “Just a few problems” = It didn’t go well and I don’t want to go into details. In fact I want to go home and eat my ownContinue reading ““So, How Did You Get On?””
Sometimes Looking Back is the Key to Moving Forward
A friend on an online equestrian forum recently created a thread that invited fellow members to post their earliest and most recent photo of them on their horse. I went searching through my laptop for photos while feeling that aside from trying new disciplines not much else would have changed in terms of my riding.Continue reading “Sometimes Looking Back is the Key to Moving Forward”
Common Phrases Heard at Competitions and Their Meaning
“That fence is WAY over max height” – using the incredibly accurate measuring scale of ‘my own leg’ this fence is bordering on being a little on the big side. “I’m not competitive” – I’d eat you for a rosette “I’m REALLY not competitive” – you and the horse
Prayer To The Dressage Gods
Our Dressage Judges Who art in jeeps
Dressage Sheet Comments Deciphered
“Nice Entrance” – Don’t get cocky we are only one movement in “Wobbled on centre line” – horse wandered from A to C like a drunk trying to walk a straight line “Could show more inside bend” – Horse should be looking where it is going not gawking out of the arenaContinue reading “Dressage Sheet Comments Deciphered”
Equestrian Reality 