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…)
February 23, 2026 Gwyneth McPherson Gwyneth McPherson #DRESSAGE #OLYMPICS , #Dressage Showing , #Dressage Training , #Forward Thinking Dressage , #NonTraditionalBreedinDressage , aids , cesar parra , classical dressage , competition dressage , dressage levels , dressage reading list , Dressage4Kids , Half halt , lower leg , Strength riding Comments Off on Training in the Right Way: Dressage Reading List
Often, students ask me for a reading list and I am always overwhelmed with trying to choose my favorites. In this article, I am going to try to finally do that. Â (more…)
February 18, 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: Communication
Sometimes it’s harder than you’d think… (more…)
February 11, 2026 Morgane Schmidt Morgane 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 Order Comments Off on The Idea of Order: Decorative Fly Masks
You wouldn’t think there would be that much room for questionable decision making and yet… (more…)
February 8, 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 , lower leg , Strength riding , test riding Comments Off on Training in the Right Way: Dressage Terminology Refresher
This week’s article revisits an earlier discussion on dressage terminology and why it’s important to understand within your training framework. (more…)
February 4, 2026 Morgane Schmidt Morgane 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 Order Comments Off on The Idea of Order: Self-control Is Hard…
… much like good choices and the ground. (more…)
January 28, 2026 Morgane Schmidt Morgane 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 Order Comments Off on The Idea of Order: Winter Spice…
Less useful for baking, more appropriate as a substitute for Jet A fuel. (more…)
January 26, 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 , lower leg , Strength riding , test riding , training is repetition Comments Off on Training in the Right Way: Test Riding Before a Competition
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…)
January 21, 2026 Morgane Schmidt Morgane 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 Order Comments Off on The Idea of Order: What’s YOUR Horse’s Favorite Chew Toy?
Anything expensive is an appropriate answer…. (more…)
January 14, 2026 Morgane Schmidt Morgane 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 Order Comments Off on The Idea of Order: Who’s Sound Sensitive?
Obviously it’s my horse…. (more…)
January 12, 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 , lower leg , Strength riding , training is repetition Comments Off on Training in the Right Way: Set Yourself Up for Success Wintering in Florida
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…)
January 7, 2026 Morgane Schmidt Morgane 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 Order Comments Off on The Idea of Order: The Wrath of Winter
Nothing escapes unscathed. (more…)
December 31, 2025 Morgane Schmidt Morgane 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 Order Comments Off on The Idea of Order: New Years Resolutions, Mare Edition
We could all learn a little from a mare… (more…)
