dressage levels

The Idea of Order: Self-control Is Hard…

February 4, 2026Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Equestrian Horror Movies, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, #THANKSGIVING, classical dressage, competition dressage, do it for the plot, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, habits are hard, spice rack, The Idea of OrderComments Off

… much like good choices and the ground. (more…)

The Idea of Order: Winter Spice…

January 28, 2026Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Equestrian Horror Movies, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, #THANKSGIVING, classical dressage, competition dressage, do it for the plot, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, spice rack, The Idea of OrderComments Off

Less useful for baking, more appropriate as a substitute for Jet A fuel. (more…)

Training in the Right Way: Test Riding Before a Competition

January 26, 2026Gwyneth 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, test riding, training is repetitionComments Off

Yes, show season is upon us. And, also yes, you should indeed be practicing your test in its entirety BEFORE you compete. Here’s why. (more…)

The Idea of Order: What’s YOUR Horse’s Favorite Chew Toy?

January 21, 2026Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Equestrian Horror Movies, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, #THANKSGIVING, classical dressage, competition dressage, do it for the plot, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, The Idea of OrderComments Off

Anything expensive is an appropriate answer…. (more…)

The Idea of Order: Who’s Sound Sensitive?

January 14, 2026Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Equestrian Horror Movies, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, #THANKSGIVING, classical dressage, competition dressage, do it for the plot, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, magic hat, The Idea of OrderComments Off

Obviously it’s my horse…. (more…)

Training in the Right Way: Set Yourself Up for Success Wintering in Florida

January 12, 2026Gwyneth 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

It’s the time of year when riders participate in a mass exodus from the northern states in favor of riding somewhere that DOESN’T make their faces hurt (or their horses attempt to yeet them). Here are some of the things you need to think about if you intend to move horses south for training and competing this winter. (more…)

The Idea of Order: The Wrath of Winter

January 7, 2026Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Equestrian Horror Movies, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, #THANKSGIVING, classical dressage, competition dressage, do it for the plot, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, The Idea of OrderComments Off

Nothing escapes unscathed. (more…)

The Idea of Order: New Years Resolutions, Mare Edition

December 31, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Equestrian Horror Movies, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NEW YEAR'S, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, #THANKSGIVING, classical dressage, competition dressage, do it for the plot, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, The Idea of OrderComments Off

We could all learn a little from a mare… (more…)

Training in the Right Way: Habits and Sports Psychology

December 28, 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

Because your internal environment is as important to your growth as a rider as your development of your exterior athletic abilities.
(more…)

The Idea of Order: This Christmas, Do It for the Plot…

December 24, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Equestrian Horror Movies, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, #THANKSGIVING, classical dressage, competition dressage, do it for the plot, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, The Idea of OrderComments Off

And also, treat yourself… (more…)

The Idea of Order: Seasonal Joy…

December 17, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Equestrian Horror Movies, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, #THANKSGIVING, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, The Idea of OrderComments Off

Because who doesn’t like snacks? (more…)

Training in the Right Way: Dressage Training Nuggets

December 16, 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

Dressage is supposed to be a systematic approach to creating partnership and understanding between two species. Horses have very little choice in how and whether they get to participate in our activities. We owe it to them to be kind, circumspect, and educated in our training. (more…)

The Idea of Order: Your Horse’s Letter to Santa

December 10, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Equestrian Horror Movies, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, #THANKSGIVING, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, fat or fluffy, santa letter, The Idea of OrderComments Off

Because he’s obviously been VERY good this year…duh (more…)

The Idea of Order: No One Needs an Elf on the Shelf Anyway…

December 3, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Equestrian Horror Movies, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, #THANKSGIVING, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, fat or fluffy, The Idea of OrderComments Off

Seriously? Why is this a thing? (more…)

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

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

The Idea of Order: Things I’m Thankful For…

November 26, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Equestrian Horror Movies, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, #THANKSGIVING, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, fat or fluffy, The Idea of OrderComments Off

Besides every ride that my mare doesn’t yeet me… (more…)

The Idea of Order: ‘Tis the Season…

November 19, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Equestrian Horror Movies, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, fat or fluffy, The Idea of OrderComments Off

For cookies … and maybe cognitive dissonance. (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

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

The Idea of Order: Opinions…

November 12, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Equestrian Horror Movies, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, mare opinions, The Idea of OrderComments Off

Everyone has them…some more than others. (more…)

The Idea of Order: Law of Equine Consistency

November 5, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Equestrian Horror Movies, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, The Idea of OrderComments Off

They are consistently entropy. (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

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…)

The Idea of Order: Top Equestrian Horror Films

October 29, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Equestrian Horror Movies, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, halloweenh, The Idea of OrderComments Off

Let me know if you want to partner on a screenplay. (more…)

The Idea of Order: Artistic Clip Jobs

October 22, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, The Idea of OrderComments Off

Another questionable life choice. (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

“Excellent riding is based on technique, not wrestling a 1200 lb animal into submission.”
(more…)

The Idea of Order: Sheath Cleaning

October 15, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #sheath cleaning, #summer, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, The Idea of OrderComments Off

Everyone’s favorite activity.