Classical Dressage Archives

February 7, 2021

THREE TRAINING METHODS & YOU DECIDE WHAT IS BEST – A RE-WRITE

THREE TRAINING METHODS – YOU DECIDE WHAT IS BEST – A RE-WRITE ©C. Curley – Effective Equestrian, LLC 2020 Update: This is a re-write of my recent article titled “Three Gold Medalists”. When I published the article, I was warmly supported by my colleagues and friends, but also seriously retaliated against by those associated with some of the methods below. ...

Classical Dressage/DRESSAGE/Equine Biomechanics/Learning Dressage

February 6, 2021

THE BOW AND STRING THEORY IS FALSE

THE BOW AND STRING THEORY OF DRESSAGE IS FALSE ©C. Curley – Effective Equestrian, LLC 2020 The bow and string theory of raising the back of the horse has been around a long time. I do not know who first used this visual. At face value I can see how it may have been used to illustrate the perceived change...

Classical Dressage/DRESSAGE/Equine Biomechanics/Learning Dressage

August 9, 2020

Today I Rode in ROLLKUR

Yes. Me, super classical, anti-BTV, anti-Rollkur advocate. I did it, literally for a total of about 30 seconds. I wanted to see firsthand what riders feel to make them think it is so great. Lightning will probably strike me down and I pray my horse forgives me. But I learned something. OK, let me back up a bit. I’ve been...

Classical Dressage/Equine Biomechanics/Learning Dressage

May 26, 2020

DRESSAGE FRAME BASICS: A MATTER OF PERCEPTION Part 1: The Natural Horse

The perception of what is correct in dressage is an acquired eye. Most of the postures that trainers, riders, and judges see as acceptable, are in fact faulty. I don’t like the word frame because it implies a static stance. The posture of the horse is constantly changing and should be evaluated as a kinematic system, not a snapshot in...

Classical Dressage/Equine Biomechanics/Learning Dressage

May 9, 2020

Show Ring Empty? Ten Tips for Virtual Dressage Shows

In this time of shuttered barns and pandemic restrictions, many organizations are turning to virtual competitions to fill the gap until we can all get out to the show ring again. Even when live shows are available again, there may be changes and new rules that make virtual showing a more viable option for many riders. To participate in a...

Classical Dressage/Learning Dressage

June 23, 2019

5 Things about Half-Halt You May Not Know

5 Things about Half-Halt You May Not Know Some dressage riders look like they are doing absolutely nothing while their horses dances lightly across the arena. There’s a lot that goes into a performance like that, but one huge key is the half-halt. The elusive half-halt has caused more confusion and angst for the dressage rider than almost nothing else. ...

Classical Dressage/Equine Biomechanics/Learning Dressage

April 21, 2019

Intro Tests Explained

There is much more to the introductory tests in dressage than riding a few lines and 20-meter circles. As with all dressage tests, they are designed so that the execution of the patterns demonstrates the correct training principles for a horse at that level. In other words, it’s not the patterns you are being tested on, it’s the underlying principles...

Classical Dressage/Equine Biomechanics/Learning Dressage

February 28, 2019

WHAT DRESSAGE RIDERS CAN LEARN FROM JUMPERS

Anyone who knows me understands I’m pretty hard-core classical dressage and believe that dressage with correct bio-mechanics is the foundation for any and all disciplines. But I also know that each discipline has their own nuances, both good and bad, that can be learned from. A typical jump course lasts a few minutes, and there is only a few seconds...

Classical Dressage/Equine Biomechanics/Learning Dressage

February 20, 2019

Synchronize with the Natural Movement

When the horse walks or trots, its spine moves from side to side in a snake-like motion as each step pushes energy up the horses back. The diagonal pattern of the gait transfers the thrust from the push phase of the gait up one side of the horses back and then the other. The energy flows through the muscles like...

Classical Dressage/Equine Biomechanics/Learning Dressage

September 30, 2018

“I’M AFRAID I’M GOING TO RUIN MY HORSE” and other things dressage riders say…

It’s a phrase I’ve heard on more than one occasion. I admit I’ve thought it at times too. Well, here’s the truth of it, right off the bat. If you are a thinking rider that is concerned about how your actions affect your horse, then chances are pretty good you will never “ruin” your horse. That doesn’t mean you won’t...

Classical Dressage/Learning Dressage

Blog

Category: Classical Dressage

THREE TRAINING METHODS & YOU DECIDE WHAT IS BEST – A RE-WRITE

THE BOW AND STRING THEORY IS FALSE

Today I Rode in ROLLKUR

DRESSAGE FRAME BASICS: A MATTER OF PERCEPTION Part 1: The Natural Horse

Show Ring Empty? Ten Tips for Virtual Dressage Shows

5 Things about Half-Halt You May Not Know

Intro Tests Explained

WHAT DRESSAGE RIDERS CAN LEARN FROM JUMPERS

Synchronize with the Natural Movement

“I’M AFRAID I’M GOING TO RUIN MY HORSE” and other things dressage riders say…