My philosophies

Since my early childhood, I have been riding und training with a large variety of different Trainers and Instructors who each believed in their own methods of how a horse and a rider should be trained and brought up through the levels. I have watched countless clinics and training sessions in an effort to shed some light on the great mystery we all call Dressage. Needless to say, there really is no mystery, just a lot of hard work and patience!

I see a big percentage of horses being ridden in gadgets or against the riders hands in hopes of "putting the horse in a mechanical frame", thereby short-cutting the basics. This to me is like taping the horse's mouth shut, making him unable to tell us where the problems really is and sufficating the beauty of the horse's ability to move in lightness and harmony.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to have good solid basics, always going back to them each time you ride your horse, wheter you are working on Introductory or FEI. Always make sure your horse is able to stretch long and low, on comand, in all three gaits, without falling on the forehand or losing his rhythm and balance. Without this ability, no horse can perform to his full potential. The stretching will also teach your horse self-carriage and how to become independent of the riders hands. In addition, it will build a strong top-line and very powerful hind quarters, making it possible for the horse to step further under himself, round his back and raise his withers, alowing him to free his shoulders. This will also give you the wonderful feeling of a light uphill horse that can move in harmony, using his whole body!

Always make sure that the horse is straight in his body (shoulders in alignment with the haunches). This can only be achieved with the correct seat of the rider. A crooked rider will always have a crooked horse, so ensure that your shoulders are aligned with the horse's shoulders and that your hips are aligned with the horse's haunches. You must sit absolutly straight and your seat can't interfere with the horse's movement, both have to be in sync.

One more important point that I would like to stress is that you should always treat your horse with kindness and respect and never punish him in anger or frustration. You need to give him time to understand your requests. Remember to never ask your horse to do anything that he is either physically or mentally unable to do.