Unless otherwise noted, all quotes on this page are the work of Lesley Stevenson. Please ensure proper attribution when sharing. Thank you!
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"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
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"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
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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
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A good horse will forgive you when you make a mistake - and expects you to do the same.
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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.
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"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
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"To ride a centerline correctly you need a good degree of balance and straightness. The horse must be even on both reins and obedient to the half halt. The entrance must be straight, the downward transition must be smooth and the halt square. The horse must stand at attention,
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In a Dressage test (and definitely when schooling), it is better to focus on the quality of your transitions, rather than insist that they be right at the letter. The judge would rather see a smooth, well balanced transition a little before or after the letter than a stiff, unbalanced
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"I study my horse, and my horse studies me. If I am a coward, he is one. If I am lazy, he is lazy. If I am impatient he is impetuous. If I am lost in thought, how dreamily he pursues his way!" ~ Unknown
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"If you keep your hands still, you’ll start using your legs." ~ Ulla Salzgeber
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"Look for the contact: The horse needs to trust and look for the reins in order to begin proper work. Try to let him chew. He should look for the reins, so don’t throw away the reins." ~ Isabell Werth
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On teaching the horse to be more careful over fences - "Let him hit it [the fence], don't make him hit it, let him hit it. The best teacher of the horse is the horse - he is his own best trainer." ~ George Morris
