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Happy children and happy summer riding days. Full of friendship and partnership with both their ponies and other riders. How lucky these young riders are as long as they come under the wing of a good coach. A coach who fully understands that what children learn first tends to stay with them, just as with a young horse. So our young riders and young coaches need excellent coaches. They don’t need to be high-level coaches of elite performers,…

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Caddymaster First let me mention his half brother Tip Top who underwent colic surgery this past weekend. I have loved following Tip Top's career. I was also very keen on Max - another master offspring recently retired. So I hope Tip Top does well, at 16 yo, I wonder if he will be show fit again? definitely not going to WEG.

So Caddy was great today so let me start there. I was able to ride outside and hack before and after the ride. It was an absolutely…

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Conditions I was really exhausted after the work week and the ring was crowded with lessons. Rode caddy and Tia - but really, just got them out of the stalls and walked trot and canter in both directions

Caddy had a massage today. the report seemed really on with reports of tightness through the poll and top line, I didn't have her do Tia as she is so sensitive that I wanted to be there (and also so problem free).

I had a birthday last weekend, and I got the most incredible gift. It was given to me by Sammie, but when I really think about it, the gift was made possible by Jane Savoie. (For those of you who have been living under a rock, Jane is one of the most well-known names in dressage, with a list of accomplishments too numerous to detail here.)

You already know that I have had my share of challenges with…

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Kingsley all smug in his isolation box in his new home. All horses stay out of the main barn upon arrival so he will move rooms once it has been proven he doesn't carry any nasty viruses ;) He also has to be warmed before being allowed to join new field buddies so no turn out for 48hours. I am going to see him tomorrow and ride him if he seems settled reasonably well. We haven't ridden him for the last couple of days as were awaiting decision from our… Continue

My trainer doesn't know everything. This, of course, is no surprise to her. It came as somewhat of a revelation to me, however. I've become so insecure in my own horsekeeping skills, that somehow I managed to convince myself that those I rely on know it all, and that my own pool of knowledge was more akin to a quickly evaporating puddle.

In our lesson yesterday, Meg and I discussed Sammie's recent training. In mid-December, I handed the reins over to Meg for full…

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For many years I never did what other people did. Whenever I was in barns people always came to watch me ride, I still haven't figured out why - maybe it was because I never fought with my horses. All my life I have ridden thoroughbreds off the racetrack, most of whom nobody else would take on as they were labelled "wild and crazy". Those wild and crazy horses taught me so much. I learned at a young age to listen to what the horse was trying to tell me - common sense. As a young girl I was… Continue

Bomb Proof Your Horse Before The Show

Tackle the Monsters before they Tackle You



With over 35 years show experience I’ve come to know exactly what is going to upset a horse new to competition.



If the horse eating monsters are handled on the front end, you will have a huge advantage while competing, and definitely have a much,much better over all show experience and confidence builder for both you and your partner.



Just because your horse appears to have a… Continue

The warm up is the most crucial part of any competition. It's where the test is won or lost.

Too much warm up and your horse may be dull and less reactive to your aids.

Too little warm up and your horse may be more "exuberant" than you anticipate.



In this weeks installment I've listed exactly what you need to do in order to take the mistery out of the warm up.You never know how your horse will react to new settings until you expose him to them.



Don't wait until… Continue

Ten Actions You Must Take Before the Dressage Test



If you have never competed before in a Dressage Test,your first experience can be an overwhelming task. In the coming weeks I have a blog series designed to simplify the process and break it down into bite size pieces that will lend itself to a safe and fun experience for both you and your horse.The following are 10 simple steps to help you be prepared for the Dressage Arena:

1.)Have a little “dress rehearsal” at home before… Continue

So, after enduring -15 tempatures in Manitoba, fog so thick in Edmonton that you can cut a hole in it, and the 2 hr farry ride to the island, we are doing pretty good. We got here I sware by a divine blessing. But now that I'm here, I really love it. Today Im going to call (hopefully) my new employer, and set up a time to meet with her early this coming week to see her barn, and hopefully try out a horse that she has for sale. Im really excited. I have, by the way, been off riding for 2 months… Continue

I get questions about going faster without bouncing--trotting, cantering, loping, galloping--and realize that novice riders are often intimidated by faster gaits, not realizing that riding the trot or canter on a calm, well-trained horse is fun and relaxing, even exhilarating.



Part of learning to ride comes from spending time in the saddle but plenty of riders spend hours in the saddle without really learning the one simple thing that will make it enjoyable to ride: moving with the… Continue

Horse Farm in Vermont Showcases Dressage Training and Good Horsemanship

www.ruthhoganpoulsen.com

www.easthillfarm.org

Working together



East Hill Farm in Plainfield, Vermont showcases the best dressage training and horsemanship around. Founded in 1976, East Hill Farm is one of the oldest and well regarded equestrian… Continue