…Or why you may not need the trendy, majikal bit to achieve your riding goals. Let’s discuss why your bit might actually be hindering your training.
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Once again, we’re approaching the start of USDF Championships, followed by the show season really starting up here in Florida. To get ahead of it, I want to revisit this article discussing some of the things to consider when developing your plan for competition.
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August 3, 2026 Gwyneth McPherson Gwyneth McPherson #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS , #Dressage Showing , #Dressage Training , #Forward Thinking Dressage , #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage , aids , classical dressage , competition dressage , dressage levels , Dressage4Kids Comments Off on Training in the Right Way: “My Horse Hates Dressage.”
He doesn’t. I promise. Story time.
July 19, 2026 Gwyneth McPherson Gwyneth McPherson #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS , #Dressage Showing , #Dressage Training , #Forward Thinking Dressage , #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage , aids , classical dressage , competition dressage , dressage levels , Dressage4Kids Comments Off on Training in the Right Way: The Need for the Trained Lesson Horse
Let’s talk about why learning to ride on a horse that’s actually trained correctly is a vital part of a rider’s education (Hint: The aids don’t work if they don’t exist…).
June 15, 2026 Gwyneth McPherson Gwyneth McPherson #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS , #Dressage Showing , #Dressage Training , #Forward Thinking Dressage , #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage , aids , classical dressage , competition dressage , dressage levels , Dressage4Kids Comments Off on Training in the Right Way: Training as Explaining, Not Correcting
The process of training a horse to do (or not to do) something is the process of explaining to the horse what you actually want him to do. Unfortunately this isn’t always as straightforward or as quick as you might like.
May 27, 2026 Morgane Schmidt Morgane Schmidt , the idea of order #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS , #Dressage Showing , #Dressage Training , #Forward Thinking Dressage , #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage , aids , classical dressage , competition dressage , dressage levels , Dressage4Kids Comments Off on The Idea of Order: May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor
And if it’s a chestnut mare, they probably won’t be. (more…)
May 20, 2026 Morgane Schmidt Morgane Schmidt , the idea of order #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS , #Dressage Showing , #Dressage Training , #Forward Thinking Dressage , #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage , aids , classical dressage , competition dressage , dressage levels , Dressage4Kids , Half halt Comments Off on The Idea of Order: Summer Is Here…
Time to get lost in the black hole that is the barn. (more…)
May 18, 2026 Gwyneth McPherson Gwyneth McPherson , Morgane Schmidt #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS , #Dressage Showing , #Dressage Training , #Forward Thinking Dressage , #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage , aids , classical dressage , competition dressage , dressage levels , Dressage4Kids , Half halt Comments Off on Training in the Right Way: Tack vs. Training Problems
It’s never the tack, it is always the training. Except sometimes, when it is the tack.  Sounds fun, huh? Let’s discuss. Â
May 13, 2026 Morgane Schmidt Morgane Schmidt , the idea of order #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS , #Dressage Showing , #Dressage Training , #Forward Thinking Dressage , #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage , #summer , classical dressage , competition dressage , dressage levels , Dressage4Kids , mercurial , The Idea of Order Comments Off on The Idea of Order: Predictable Spooking
Less predictable than you might guess. (more…)
May 6, 2026 Morgane Schmidt Morgane Schmidt , the idea of order #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS , #Dressage Showing , #Dressage Training , #Forward Thinking Dressage , #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage , #summer , classical dressage , competition dressage , dressage levels , Dressage4Kids , mercurial , The Idea of Order Comments Off on The Idea of Order: Excuses
Some are more ferocious than others. (more…)
May 4, 2026 Gwyneth McPherson Gwyneth McPherson #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS , #Dressage Showing , #Dressage Training , #Forward Thinking Dressage , #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage , aids , classical dressage , competition dressage , dressage levels , Dressage4Kids , Half halt Comments Off on Training in the Right Way: Learning to Ride Well Takes Time…
And a process. How much time? Longer than you think and with more oversight than you’ve probably been lucky enough to have. Let’s discuss.
April 29, 2026 Morgane Schmidt Morgane Schmidt , the idea of order #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS , #Dressage Showing , #Dressage Training , #Forward Thinking Dressage , #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage , #summer , classical dressage , competition dressage , dressage levels , Dressage4Kids , mercurial , The Idea of Order Comments Off on The Idea of Order: Equestrians Socializing…
It’s possible, with the right crowd. (more…)
April 22, 2026 Morgane Schmidt Morgane Schmidt , the idea of order #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS , #Dressage Showing , #Dressage Training , #Forward Thinking Dressage , #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage , #summer , classical dressage , competition dressage , dressage levels , Dressage4Kids , mercurial , The Idea of Order Comments Off on The Idea of Order: Making Good Choices is Hard…
Particularly if you’re a fragile quadruped with a death wish. (more…)
April 20, 2026 Gwyneth McPherson Gwyneth McPherson #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS , #Dressage Showing , #Dressage Training , #Forward Thinking Dressage , #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage , aids , classical dressage , competition dressage , dressage levels , Dressage4Kids , Half halt Comments Off on Training in the Right Way: Is Your Dressage Teacher Knowledgeable?
This week’s article revisits an earlier topic that continues to be problematic for riders: How and where to begin to assess potential dressage teachers.
April 15, 2026 Morgane Schmidt Morgane Schmidt , the idea of order #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS , #Dressage Showing , #Dressage Training , #Forward Thinking Dressage , #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage , #summer , classical dressage , competition dressage , dressage levels , Dressage4Kids , mercurial , The Idea of Order Comments Off on The Idea of Order: Lunch at the Barn…
Because dirt clearly builds your immune system. (more…)
April 8, 2026 Morgane Schmidt Morgane Schmidt , the idea of order #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS , #Dressage Showing , #Dressage Training , #Forward Thinking Dressage , #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage , #summer , classical dressage , competition dressage , dressage levels , Dressage4Kids , mercurial , The Idea of Order Comments Off on The Idea of Order: First Show of the Season
Who needs to be lunged? (more…)
April 5, 2026 Gwyneth McPherson Gwyneth McPherson #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS , #Dressage Showing , #Dressage Training , #Forward Thinking Dressage , #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage , aids , classical dressage , competition dressage , dressage levels , Dressage4Kids , Half halt Comments Off on Training in the Right Way: Equitation vs Training
Let’s look at why simply “riding better” doesn’t result in a trained horse. (more…)
April 1, 2026 Morgane Schmidt Morgane Schmidt , the idea of order #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS , #Dressage Showing , #Dressage Training , #Forward Thinking Dressage , #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage , #summer , classical dressage , competition dressage , dressage levels , Dressage4Kids , mercurial , The Idea of Order Comments Off on The Idea of Order: What’s Your Horse’s Love Language?
Hint, it’s probably not words of affirmation… (more…)
March 25, 2026 Morgane Schmidt Morgane Schmidt , the idea of order #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS , #Dressage Showing , #Dressage Training , #Forward Thinking Dressage , #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage , #summer , classical dressage , competition dressage , dressage levels , Dressage4Kids , mercurial , The Idea of Order Comments Off on The Idea of Order: What the Vet Says vs What You Hear
I mean, it’s basically the same thing… (more…)
March 22, 2026 Gwyneth McPherson Gwyneth McPherson #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS , #Dressage Showing , #Dressage Training , #Forward Thinking Dressage , #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage , aids , cesar parra , classical dressage , competition dressage , dressage levels , Dressage4Kids , Half halt Comments Off on Training in the Right Way: Unpopular Opinion — You Shouldn’t Ride Horses You’re Scared Of
When a capable rider is actually afraid while riding a horse, it is usually because the horse is not improving with the capable rider’s skills and techniques, and/or is increasingly unpredictable. The rider needs to listen to that fear and give themselves permission not to ride the horse. (more…)
March 18, 2026 Morgane Schmidt Morgane Schmidt , the idea of order #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS , #Dressage Showing , #Dressage Training , #Forward Thinking Dressage , #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage , #summer , classical dressage , competition dressage , dressage levels , Dressage4Kids , mercurial , The Idea of Order Comments Off on The Idea of Order: The Word of the Day is ‘Mercurial’…
Like feral, but with slightly more sass. (more…)
March 11, 2026 Morgane Schmidt Morgane Schmidt , the idea of order #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS , #Dressage Showing , #Dressage Training , #Forward Thinking Dressage , #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage , #summer , classical dressage , competition dressage , dressage levels , Dressage4Kids , no gym required , The Idea of Order Comments Off on The Idea of Order: Horses at Home
Because part of Livin’ the Dream involves never knowing what it means to sleep past 7:00 am… (more…)
March 9, 2026 Gwyneth McPherson Gwyneth 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 halt Comments Off on Training in the Right Way: It’s all About the Process
While having goals is important, more important is remembering that reaching them is entirely dependent on your process. It does you no good to get wrapped up in the end goal first without recognizing the path needed. (more…)
March 4, 2026 Morgane Schmidt Morgane 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 Order Comments Off on The Idea of Order: Grey Horse Show Prep
God help you if you have a 7:30 am ride time… (more…)
February 25, 2026 Morgane Schmidt Morgane Schmidt , the idea of order #communication , #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 Order Comments Off on The Idea of Order: Deciphering Your Dressage Tests
Because writing comments at breakneck speed doesn’t often result in excellent penmanship… (more…)
