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When walking your cross country course, always take note of any markings on the ground that might distract your horse from the fence - such as patches of dead grass, or areas where artificial footing has been added. Some horses don't care about those kind of things at all,
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When working on jumping gymnastic lines, don't always just set up the typical cross rail, one stride to a vertical, one stride to an oxer. That may be the ideal introductory grid for a greenie, but the more advanced horse needs to be challenged much more than that.
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The horse's energy flowing through a turn is similar to water flowing through a tunnel. Just as the outside wall of the tunnel is paramount, a good connection on the outside rein is crucial to a successful turn.
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Horses naturally lean into pressure. We have to train them to yield to it instead. Make sure you do not skip this step in the training of the young horse!
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Try to remind yourself regularly when schooling that the release of the aid is what teaches the horse that his response was correct.
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It is best to always carry a whip when you ride. The whip is such a important tool to reinforce your leg aid. It is far better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
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A supple horse gives the rider a nice comfortable place to sit.
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"Dressage experts spend much time talking about the physical issues of correct riding: which of the rider’s legs goes where, how the horse’s back moves, what the horse’s hind leg does and so on. It’s true we need to know these details about the physical
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Keep your horse's back UP as you ride into the halt by riding each step from the hind legs from behind up into your receiving hand.
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When a rider (even if unintentionally) offers to help support the weight of their horse's head and neck, the horse will usually simply oblige, and lean on the rider's hands.
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"Dressage is all about using the minimal aids to gain the highest result. If the rider sets his standards high enough and gives the horse a light aid that the horse understands, that is the sport ideal." ~ Steffen Peters
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The more you can guide your horse through turns and circles with your eyes and your body position, the less hand and leg you will need to use. Which usually means more harmony and self carriage.
