Training in the Right Way: Don’t Perpetuate Your Training Problems by Repeating Your Training Problems…

November 30, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, aids, cesar parra, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Half halt, lower leg, Strength riding, training is repetitionComments Off on Training in the Right Way: Don’t Perpetuate Your Training Problems by Repeating Your Training Problems…

…or, in other words, sometimes you have to stop participating in the problem to eliminate the problem. (more…)

Training in the Right Way: Using the Lower Leg

November 18, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, aids, cesar parra, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Half halt, lower leg, Strength ridingComments Off on Training in the Right Way: Using the Lower Leg

You can do so much more than simply “kick to go”… (more…)

Training in the Right Way: Your Horse’s ‘Bad Days’ May Be a Training Opportunity

November 3, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, aids, cesar parra, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Half halt, Strength ridingComments Off on Training in the Right Way: Your Horse’s ‘Bad Days’ May Be a Training Opportunity

In my experience, most riders think of these days as bad or a day that was lost in the training process, but the reality is that these are often the days when the largest training gains can be made. (more…)

Training in the Right Way: Skill Not Strength

October 19, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson, Morgane Schmidt#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, aids, cesar parra, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Half halt, Strength ridingComments Off on Training in the Right Way: Skill Not Strength

“Excellent riding is based on technique, not wrestling a 1200 lb animal into submission.”
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Training in the Right Way: The Process vs. The Practitioner

October 5, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, aids, cesar parra, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Good side vs Bad side, Half haltComments Off on Training in the Right Way: The Process vs. The Practitioner

“Dressage training is a systematic process that anyone can learn, however, the quality of the training is in the practitioner.” (more…)

Training in the Right Way: Repetition in Training

September 22, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, aids, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Good side vs Bad side, Half halt, myth bustersComments Off on Training in the Right Way: Repetition in Training

Although training a horse always involves repetition, it has to be done in the right way at the right time for it to actually further the training. (more…)

Training in the Right Way: Mythbusters Edition

September 7, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, aids, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Good side vs Bad side, Half halt, myth bustersComments Off on Training in the Right Way: Mythbusters Edition

In riding and training, there are some commonly held beliefs that while they may seem plausible, are actually incorrect. In this week’s article, I thought I’d tackle a few of the most common ones I routinely encounter.
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Training in the Right Way: Let’s Discuss Self-Carriage

August 25, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, aids, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Good side vs Bad side, Half haltComments Off on Training in the Right Way: Let’s Discuss Self-Carriage

Or, why it isn’t always “bad” that your horse anticipates.
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Training in the Right Way: Looking for Effectiveness

August 11, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, aids, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Good side vs Bad side, Half haltComments Off on Training in the Right Way: Looking for Effectiveness

We’ve discussed this before, but given recent events in the dressage world, I think revisiting what effective training looks like is a timely exercise. (more…)

Training in the Right Way: The Good Side vs the Bad Side

July 15, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, aids, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Good side vs Bad side, Half haltComments Off on Training in the Right Way: The Good Side vs the Bad Side

Here’s a hint: There isn’t one. At least not in the way you think. (more…)

Training in the Right Way: Let’s Talk About Spurs…

June 30, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson, Morgane Schmidt#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #READER SUBMISSION, aids, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Half halt, spursComments Off on Training in the Right Way: Let’s Talk About Spurs…

And their purpose and how to use them correctly (rather than like a jerk).
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Training in the Right Way: Why We Don’t Pull in Dressage

June 15, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson, Morgane Schmidt#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #READER SUBMISSION, aids, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Half haltComments Off on Training in the Right Way: Why We Don’t Pull in Dressage

This week I’m tackling another reader submitted question, this one focusing on why we pulling on the reins is such an egregious sin in dressage. Spoiler Alert: It kind of is. (more…)

Training in the Right Way: What Is an Aid?

June 2, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, aids, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Half haltComments Off on Training in the Right Way: What Is an Aid?

Aids are meant to tell the horse what to do. They are not meant to MAKE the horse do it. Let’s discuss why this seemingly subtle difference is key to effective training. (more…)

Training in the Right Way: The Rider’s Responsibility vs The Blame Game

May 19, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Half haltComments Off on Training in the Right Way: The Rider’s Responsibility vs The Blame Game

Instead of taking or giving all the blame, riders should understand that the results of their aids, good or bad, are always the rider’s responsibility (but not necessarily their “fault”). This focus on responsibility is key. Let’s discuss why. (more…)

Training in the Right Way: Ask the Trainer – My Horse Isn’t Forward

May 8, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Half haltComments Off on Training in the Right Way: Ask the Trainer – My Horse Isn’t Forward

This week I thought I’d try something a little different and tackle some reader/rider submitted training questions. This first one focuses on the ‘lazy’ (but not really) horse. (more…)

Training in the Right Way: FEI Horses Don’t Grow on Trees…

April 21, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Half haltComments Off on Training in the Right Way: FEI Horses Don’t Grow on Trees…

Just one of the dilemmas when you have FEI aspirations. (more…)

Training in the Right Way: Unraveling the Half Halt

April 7, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson, Morgane Schmidt#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Half haltComments Off on Training in the Right Way: Unraveling the Half Halt

“The half halt is a beautiful, effortless way to ask your horse…” The half halt is many things, and entirely critical to good, effective riding. But it is generally invisible when done well and rarely is it “effortless.” Let’s discuss. (more…)

Training in the Right Way: Positive vs Negative Riding

March 24, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4KidsComments Off on Training in the Right Way: Positive vs Negative Riding

 Those words ALSO do not mean what you think they mean… at least not in the context of effective training.
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Training in the Right Way: Repetition and Correction…

March 11, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4KidsComments Off on Training in the Right Way: Repetition and Correction…

 Those words do not mean what you think they mean… at least not in the context of effective training. Here’s why. (more…)

Training in the Right Way: A Clarification on Normal vs Fancy Gaits…

February 23, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4KidsComments Off on Training in the Right Way: A Clarification on Normal vs Fancy Gaits…

Or, rather, why fancy gaits in and of themselves were not the original point of dressage competition (here’s a hint: it was supposed to be about that whole training thing…) (more…)

Training in the Right Way: “Fancy Warmblood Movement” Is Not the Same as “Quality of Movement” (And This Matters!)

February 10, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4KidsComments Off on Training in the Right Way: “Fancy Warmblood Movement” Is Not the Same as “Quality of Movement” (And This Matters!)

“Dressage is for all horses, but all horses aren’t for dressage”… sort of. (more…)

Training in the Right Way: Quick Fixes and Light Switches

January 26, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4KidsComments Off on Training in the Right Way: Quick Fixes and Light Switches

Let’s talk about why you’re more likely to run into Big Foot at Starbucks than find any magical training tactics that produce instant results.
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Training in the Right Way: Effective Aids vs Not So Much

January 13, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4KidsComments Off on Training in the Right Way: Effective Aids vs Not So Much

Because it is critical to the training process, let’s take a moment to talk about what effective aids are and what they absolutely are NOT.
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Training in the Right Way: 3 Dressage Movements You Should Master

December 30, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4KidsComments Off on Training in the Right Way: 3 Dressage Movements You Should Master

There are three movements most riders aren’t aware of that cannot be judged on talent as their proper execution is the result of correct training alone. These are exercises that riders should pay extra attention to as they are not only a gauge of the quality of your training, but also because they can be honed so that even less talented horses can received exemplary scores on them.
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Training in the Right Way: Strength and Agility

December 16, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#Dressage Show, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, classical dressageComments Off on Training in the Right Way: Strength and Agility

Because you probably wouldn’t sign up for an Iron Man without first training for it.
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