Get your FREE daily tip here!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 1389
The sport of riding is at least 80% mental. Control of your mind is even more important than control of your body.
Get your FREE daily tip here!
Unless otherwise noted, all quotes on this page are the work of Lesley Stevenson. Please ensure proper attribution when sharing. Thank you!
Get your FREE daily tip here!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 1388
Speed magnifies mistakes. Therefore your basics had better be fairly solid before you start jumping at speed.
Get your FREE daily tip here!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 1387
If you shorten the reins when your horse is not thinking forward, he is likely to become even more stuck and behind your leg. Always get him thinking forward first!
Get your FREE daily tip here!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 1386
In a movement like shoulder in, where the horse is likely to try to evade the difficulty of bending his body by swinging his quarters out, it can sometimes be helpful to bring your dressage whip forward, and touch the horse with it right in front of the saddle. This
Get your FREE daily tip here!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 1385
When a rider has a strong tendency to sit crooked on a horse, they often have that same tendency to sit crooked in general. Pay attention to your habits when seated in situations other than riding. As I often tell my students, when you are in your car driving to
Get your FREE daily tip here!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 1384
"The horse has to have independence, responsibility, and tolerance for a variety of distances [when jumping] because you’re going to mess up and the horse has to be able to cope." ~ William Fox Pitt
Get your FREE daily tip here!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 1383
"I think most riders do not focus on one of the foremost goals of dressage, which is the development of the gaits. To develop the horse’s gaits, the rider has to have a supple, balanced seat and ride the horse from back to front. Only then can you
Get your FREE daily tip here!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 1382
"Most riders know the required movements, but not the directives, and that is what we judges pay attention to. We look to see how the horse is ridden in these required exercises. Is the horse ridden to the contact? Does he maintain rhythm and regularity in all gaits? Does
Get your FREE daily tip here!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 1381
Practice riding centerlines in the trot or canter, and shortening the strides as if preparing for halt, but keep going without halting. It is important to vary where you halt on the centerline when practicing, and also to sometimes ride your center lines without halting at all. The horse must
Get your FREE daily tip here!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 1380
A good horse will forgive you when you make a mistake - and expects you to do the same.
Get your FREE daily tip here!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 1379
Practice some figures and changes of direction while stretching at the trot - don't always just stay on a simple circle. Changes of bend and direction will challenge your ability to keep your horse properly connected while stretching.
Get your FREE daily tip here!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 1378
"No complicated riding before the horses are going truly forward. In dressage, the difficulties are often created by a lack of good basic work (which is the foundation of the house)." ~ Nuno Oliveira