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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"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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Any rounding of the rider's shoulders is a weakness, and immediately disconnects their arms from their back and seat in terms of the rein connection.
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Every well ridden corner is a suppling exercise, and should be recognized as such.
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Balanced riding makes for a sound horse. If a horse is unbalanced or crooked, and is loading some joints more than others, the joints with increased loading will feel increased stress. As an example, the horse that is lazy behind about engaging the joints of the hind legs, will be
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"A quality jump comes from a quality canter!" ~ Sarah Parlier Britton
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Frustration can often be a part of the process of learning and improving as a rider. Look at it from the perspective that you have been strong enough to move out of your comfort zone, and into an area that is difficult for you. And if you persist with determination,
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"The outside rein keeps the horse straight, it controls the outside shoulder, it helps in the halts, it must always be a connecting feel. If the connection is too strong it blocks the inside hind leg. The contact must be elastic in both reins." ~ Gill Rolton
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Imagine the rider's body as a tree… The rider's seat and core need to be engaged and strong like the tree trunk, their long draped legs are the roots, and their arms are supple movable branches.
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"Make him a short horse with bigger paces rather than a long horse with shorter paces." ~ Stephen Clarke
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"Tempo enables dressage to become dancing. Rhythm is the regularity of the pace. Tempo is the speed of the pace." ~ Hilda Gurney
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A good lunging program will allow your horse learn how to balance himself on a proper circle in self carriage, without the added challenge of a rider on board.
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Try to avoid doing too much repetition of any one movement or exercise, or riding for too long in one direction. Do something different, so you let the muscles that are currently working relax, while you work some new ones.
