Gwyneth McPherson

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?

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

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

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: 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: 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: 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

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

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: What Successful Participation in Dressage Looks Like

Because you will never convince me that consistently getting low scores at Training Level is actually the sort of  ‘fun’ you were yearning for.
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Training in the Right Way: The Importance of In-Hand Work

Many riders think of dressage as an activity that is solely performed from the saddle. But, in truth, good dressage training often happens on the ground, and adding correct in-hand work to your training program can be a game-changer.
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Training in the Right Way: Bringing Your Horse Back Into Work

Horses need an incremental approach when returning to physical exertion after some time off.  With the weather obliterating our training programs, it’s a solid time to review how to approach bringing your sound horse back into work after an unplanned break. (more…)

Training in the Right Way: When to Compete

With Regional Championships well underway and the show season in Florida starting to ramp up, this week’s article discusses some of the things to consider when developing your plan for the upcoming competition season.

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Training in the Right Way: The Actual Purpose of Lateral Work

Lateral work is perhaps one of the most useful groups of exercises in the development of the horse as these exercises are fundamental to developing both suppleness and eventually collection.
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Training in the Right Way: Olympic Dressage – Where Do We Go From Here?

So much has already been said regarding the recent video of Charlotte Dujardin, some of it has been quite thoughtful, some not so much. Although I wasn’t sure that I wanted to add to the noise, I ultimately felt that I would like to offer a potential path forward.
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Training in the Right Way: Why the U.S. Should be Training Our Own Olympic Horses

The United States has come to rely on European bred and trained horses in order to field our international dressage teams, and this is problematic. Let’s talk about why.
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