#Dressage Showing

The Idea of Order: Equine Sensitivity…

May 14, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #Horse order form, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

Legit or a clever ruse?

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

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…)

The Idea of Order: Your Planner vs Your Horse’s

May 7, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #Horse order form, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

Because some of us have to work around here to support this three-ring circus.

The Idea of Order: The Epitome of Equine Rudeness…

April 30, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #Horse order form, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, rudenessComments Off

Because there are actually levels…

The Idea of Order: Requests My Horse Ignores…

April 23, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #Horse order form, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

Because really what I have to say is more of a suggestion anyway.

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

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

The Idea of Order: Tack Addiction

April 16, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #Horse order form, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

I really have to stop filling up those internet ‘fantasy’ shopping carts while I compare prices…

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

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.

The Idea of Order: Equestrian House Shopping

April 9, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #Horse order form, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

… because it takes a special someone to recognize the beauty of ‘Living Quarters Chic.’

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

“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…)

The Idea of Order: Lies We Tell Ourselves, Part 3

April 2, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #Horse order form, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

Because equestrians are generally an optimistic lot.

The Idea of Order: Spring is in the Air…

March 26, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #Horse order form, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

Or at least the resulting hair is…

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

Those words ALSO do not mean what you think they mean… at least not in the context of effective training.
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The Idea of Order: Horse Order Form…

March 19, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #Horse order form, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

If only it were this easy.

The Idea of Order: Discussing Training on the Interwebz…

March 12, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Show, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #THE IDEA OF ORDERComments Off

Wasn’t a super swell idea during the early days, still is fairly horrible.

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

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

The Idea of Order: Evening Riding

March 5, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #Nope, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

Because what better way to get your cardio in than by trying to catch your steed for a ride during dinner time?

The Idea of Order: Nope.

February 26, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #Nope, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

Because some days and some activities should be optional.

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

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…)

The Idea of Order: 24 Hours Sans Destruction?

February 19, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #entropy, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

Nope. 25 minutes. Tops.

The Idea of Order: Horses as Entropy – Take # 5,457,302

February 12, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #entropy, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #THE IDEA OF ORDER, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levelsComments Off

It’s actually probably higher than that…

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

“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

I mean, sure, why not?

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

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.
(more…)

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

The definition of Volatile.