#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS

The Idea of Order: How Reasoning With Your Horse Would Go…

June 11, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, diet time, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Half halt, reasoning, The Idea of OrderComments Off on The Idea of Order: How Reasoning With Your Horse Would Go…

A vignette.

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The Idea of Order: Only Equestrians — Manure Edition

June 4, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, diet time, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Half halt, The Idea of OrderComments Off on The Idea of Order: Only Equestrians — Manure Edition

More equestrians really should moonlight as gastroenterologists…

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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…)

The Idea of Order: Diet Time…

May 28, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, diet time, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Half halt, The Idea of OrderComments Off on The Idea of Order: Diet Time…

Who’s terrible idea was this anyway?

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The Idea of Order: Clinic Day Conversations With Your Horse…

May 21, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Half halt, The Idea of OrderComments Off on The Idea of Order: Clinic Day Conversations With Your Horse…

Because nobody enjoys being the weekend’s entertainment.

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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…)

Unpopular Opinion Time: Dressage Needs Another Half Halt

April 11, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Half haltComments Off on Unpopular Opinion Time: Dressage Needs Another Half Halt

We in the dressage community, specifically in the US, need to have some difficult discussions regarding the lack of correct training at the top of the sport. This isn’t anything new, but it continues to keep rearing its head because we continue to gloss over it.

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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…)

The Idea of Order: Schrödinger’s Lameness…

January 29, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #LAMENESS EXAM, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, schrodingerComments Off on The Idea of Order: Schrödinger’s Lameness…

I mean, sure, why not?

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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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The Idea of Order: Red Mare vs Winter

January 22, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #New Year's resolution, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off on The Idea of Order: Red Mare vs Winter

The definition of Volatile.

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The Idea of Order: New Year, New Me?

January 15, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #New Year's resolution, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off on The Idea of Order: New Year, New Me?

Or New Year, New Breeches?

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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: What Successful Participation in Dressage Looks Like

December 2, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #dressage letters, #Dressage Show, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off on 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

November 18, 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: 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

October 7, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Show, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #Training in the right wayComments Off on 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: Where Language Fails Us in Training

August 26, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #HORSE TRAINING, #horsetraining, #Training in the right wayComments Off on Training in the Right Way: Where Language Fails Us in Training

Language is a funny thing, being simultaneously necessary and unavoidably imperfect…
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Training in the Right Way: Limited Knowledge Is Limited Judgement

August 12, 2024Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Show, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking DressageComments Off on Training in the Right Way: Limited Knowledge Is Limited Judgement

Because although everyone is entitled to their opinion, some opinions are of more objective value.
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