Simple exercises to help sharpen up a naturally laid-back horse
Showing producer Simon Charlesworth offers some schooling exercises to help a lazy horse become more responsive to the aids
Dressage training
Dressage and training go hand in hand. In fact, did you know that the word “dressage” comes from the French word “dresseur”, which means training? Dressage is all about working in harmony with your horse to help him improve suppleness, flexibility, obedience and athleticism – and ultimately become more pleasant and responsive to ride.
Dressage training has an important role no matter what level you ride or compete at. As a sport, dressage is about showing off your training in front of a judge – or multiple judges – in an arena, but working on the fundamentals of dressage is key to improving performance and enjoyment in all equestrian disciplines.
Whether you are are looking for advice on achieving the correct canter lead or making the most of corners, or you’re looking for expert tips for nailing flying changes or improving extended trot, we have plenty of helpful features for you.
We also find out what the world’s most successful riders do while schooling their horses at home, so you can gain insight into some of the techniques used by the likes of Olympic gold medallists Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester and Laura Tomlinson.
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#SundaySchool: Charlie Hutton — how to improve your horse’s medium trot
The dressage rider suggests a step-by-step exercise to help your horse balance for this movement through connection
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10 tips to banish competition riding nerves
Do you suffer from competition riding nerves? Find out how to take control and use nerves to improve your performance
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Rider fitness: what do we really mean by ‘core’ and how does it work?
Sports therapist Debbie Rolmanis explains the importance of a rider’s core — and busts some misconceptions about it
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#SundaySchool: Anna Ross — how to improve your horse’s general straightness and balance
The grand prix dressage rider offers some tried-and-tested exercises for straightening the crooked horse
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#SundaySchool: How do I introduce my horse to flying changes?
Esteemed judge and former competitor, Stephen Clarke, gives his tips on how to give your horse the correct start
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#SundaySchool: ‘How can I encourage my horse to work over his back?’
Top dressage rider Hayley Watson-Greaves advises on the key to correct dressage training — that your horse works through from behind
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#SundaySchool: how to use shoulder-in to improve suppleness and engagement in all horses
International dressage rider Sarah Millis explains how you can improve the quality and rhythm of the trot by training with half-10m circles and shoulder-in
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Oliver Hood on using polework to improve your horse’s transitions
The show rider uses pole exercises to add something new to training, while improving self-carriage, balance and both upward and downward transitions
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#SundaySchool: how to improve suppleness using shoulder-fore
Top show producer Aimee Devane reveals how she uses shoulder fore to improve flexion and engagement, while maintaining impulsion and power
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#SundaySchool: Ludwig Svennerstål — the benefits of practising shoulder-in on a circle
Swedish Olympic event rider Ludwig Svennerstål explains how shoulder-in on a circle encourages self-carriage
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Dressage performance analysis to identify marginal gains: how useful are your test sheets?
In the second of two H&H features surrounding her advice on identifying marginal gains in dressage, author Alison Lincoln discusses why and how you can identify areas to improve performance...
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Dressage performance analysis to identify marginal gains: the questions you need to ask yourself
Here, in the first of two H&H features surrounding her advice on identifying marginal gains in dressage, author Alison Lincoln discusses why and how you can identify areas to improve performance...
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#SundaySchool: Dan Greenwood on improving suppleness (after lockdown lifts)
The grand prix dressage rider discusses using turn on the forehand to improve suppleness and refine the horse’s understanding of the leg aid
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#SundaySchool: Laura Tomlinson — how to develop your horse’s self-carriage (after lockdown lifts)
Olympic dressage rider Laura Tomlinson explains how to improve a horse’s self-carriage and what it means to do so
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#SundaySchool: How can I get my novice horse to work from behind?
Show producer Sam Quiney gives her advice on how to get a young horse to start using his hindlegs correctly
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#SundaySchool: Maria Eilberg — how to encourage your horse to bend more
The international dressage rider gives her advice on promoting bend and flexion in a stiff horse
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Stephen Clarke: how to get the most out of your horse’s trot — whatever the breed
At the British Dressage national convention (19-20 November), Stephen Clarke worked with a range of breeds to demonstrate how to get the most out of them — whatever their size or type
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How to keep your horse in walk during a dressage test
Creating and maintaining a good walk in a dressage test is sometimes easier said than done. Five-star event rider Georgie Strang has some helpful advice on how to achieve a good, relaxed but active walk
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How to ride the perfect square halt
Here’s some great advice on how to ride a perfect square halt on your horse or pony from five-star event rider Coral Keen
