#Dressage Training

Training in the Right Way: Looking for Effectiveness

August 11, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, aids, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Good side vs Bad side, Half haltComments Off

We’ve discussed this before, but given recent events in the dressage world, I think revisiting what effective training looks like is a timely exercise. (more…)

The Idea of Order: Brought to You by the Letter ‘A’

August 6, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, classical dressage, competition dressage, diet time, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, going to the barn in the summer, Half halt, reasoning, texts your trainer loves, The Idea of OrderComments Off

Because surely that spook had a logical cause…

The Idea of Order: Summer Reading List

July 30, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, classical dressage, competition dressage, diet time, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, going to the barn in the summer, Half halt, reasoning, texts your trainer loves, The Idea of OrderComments Off

Or writing list…

The Idea of Order: Dressage PSA…

July 23, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, classical dressage, competition dressage, diet time, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, going to the barn in the summer, Half halt, reasoning, texts your trainer loves, The Idea of OrderComments Off

Because I don’t think that trot is the trot you think that is…

The Idea of Order: Late Night Texts Your Trainer LOVES

July 16, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, classical dressage, competition dressage, diet time, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, going to the barn in the summer, Half halt, reasoning, texts your trainer loves, The Idea of OrderComments Off

As they say, timing is everything.

Training in the Right Way: The Good Side vs the Bad Side

July 15, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, aids, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Good side vs Bad side, Half haltComments Off

Here’s a hint: There isn’t one. At least not in the way you think. (more…)

The Idea of Order: Weather and the Non-Refundable Show Entry

July 9, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, classical dressage, competition dressage, diet time, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, going to the barn in the summer, Half halt, reasoning, The Idea of OrderComments Off

A fine example of Murphy’s Law in action.

The Idea of Order: Heading to the Barn in the Summer…

July 2, 2025Morgane SchmidtMorgane Schmidt, the idea of order#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #summer, classical dressage, competition dressage, diet time, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, going to the barn in the summer, Half halt, reasoning, The Idea of OrderComments Off

You might as well just call it a wormhole.

Training in the Right Way: Let’s Talk About Spurs…

June 30, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson, Morgane Schmidt#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #READER SUBMISSION, aids, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Half halt, spursComments Off

And their purpose and how to use them correctly (rather than like a jerk).
(more…)

The Idea of Order: Too Much Social Media

June 25, 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

When Doom Scrolling hits a little too hard….

The Idea of Order: Riding in June…

June 18, 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

Welcome to the Inferno.

Training in the Right Way: Why We Don’t Pull in Dressage

June 15, 2025Gwyneth McPhersonGwyneth McPherson, Morgane Schmidt#DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS, #Dressage Showing, #Dressage Training, #Forward Thinking Dressage, #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage, #READER SUBMISSION, aids, classical dressage, competition dressage, dressage levels, Dressage4Kids, Half haltComments Off

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…)

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

A vignette.

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

More equestrians really should moonlight as gastroenterologists…

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

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

Who’s terrible idea was this anyway?

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

Because nobody enjoys being the weekend’s entertainment.

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

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…)

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…