. . . Knowing the dressage square is essential for memorizing your test . . . I am not sure where I got the mnemonic device for the letters, but here is the one I used to memorize the outside letters: All King Victor Edward’s Show Horses Can Make Really Big Pretty Fences. And for the letters down center line: C Green Idiots Laugh at Dressage . . .
Read More. . . I share this with you as an example of how goals and putting concrete actions into place can have a positive effect on your show experience. One of my favorite moments prior to going in the show ring came about accidentally. It was early morning, and I stood on the mounting block braiding my horse’s mane in the sunlight shafts through the pines, my partner quietly held and scratched my horse’s head, and I realized that deep inside me, the world felt in balance – and I was happy.
May you find the balance that brings you happiness as you compete with your horse.
Read MoreThe day before my last show this season I am relaxed and happy. That sounds almost too simple, but the most important aspect of incorporating competition into my riding has been to achieve these two goals.
Read MoreUniverso and I like the minor changes in Fourth level, Test 1; the flying changes from counter canter at M and H feel more fluid and easier to accomplish than riding through the corner to change at C, adding the 3 changes of lead across the diagonal increased the level of difficulty, and moving the walk pirouettes off the rail to the line between M and H actually made it easier for me and Universo to execute them correctly (you may remember my post last year about working on walk pirouettes in preparation for showing).
Read MoreRider Development. What are the stages that you go through as a rider? Physical acquisition of skills. Cognitive understanding of theory. Emotional stages as you overcome fear, learn discipline, and find joy riding horses. Share with me your development as a rider. Come with me on my journey as a dressage rider.
