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Keep your thumbs closed on the top of your hand, AND keep those thumbs pointing forward! Do not let your hand position deviate so that your thumbs point toward each other, as this will create a block in your connection.
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Every well ridden corner is a suppling exercise, and should be recognized as such.
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Quiet hands are only possible when you have an independent seat. So if you are looking to improve your hands, check your seat first.
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When riding a Dressage test, you should always be thinking about damage control… Within each movement, sometimes it is best to be happy with 90% of what you are capable of, rather than risking what you have to push for that final 10%. It definitely pays to know your horse
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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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A horse must first be able to travel in a connected long and low frame before a proper higher head carriage can be achieved. If you struggle with lengthening your horse's neck while still maintaining a soft contact - be sure to master this connection before moving on to
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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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As the old saying goes, "You are only as strong as your weakest link." If there is a hole in your basics, or your horse's basics… it will hold you back. You must go back to the foundation, to find and fix any weak areas before
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Every time your horse spooks, remind yourself that the horse in the wild that didn't spook at that rustling bush often got eaten by the lions.
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If you have short arms, you will have to be especially careful to make sure that you keep at least a little bend in your elbows at all times when riding. If your elbows become completely straight, you will lose your ability to follow your horse's movement with
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The strength of your core is what allows your position to be unaffected by your horse's changes of speed.
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When riding, always strive for the feeling that your horse is "short" behind the withers (because his hind legs are stepping deeply underneath his body), yet is "long" in front of the withers (with a neck that "telescopes" and reaches forward into the bit.
