Ah,that elusive perfection! Hunter and jumper riders spend years perfecting their position in the saddle, acknowledging the links between form and function and between a visually appealing picture and an effective ride. But what is the less than perfect...
Don't expect instant results, and never force your muscles and joints. Work on the rusty-hinge principle: When a rusty hinge makes a door stiff, you oil the hinge, and then rock the door to and fro to...
You've memorized your test and studied your rulebook, but there are some niceties that you should know about so that you aren't inadvertently offending your judge before you've even started your test. Veteran dressage judge Cindy Sydnor offers a...
Dressage is a sport of precision. Details matter, and in the show-ring, you do need to sweat the small stuff. No matter what the competition looks like, you can focus on presenting your horse at his best and riding...
In 2011, United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) then-President David O'Connor announced that the Federation would support and develop a national team for the sport of saddle seat equitation. Although not a widely known sport around the globe, there are...
The 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event runs from April 25-28 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. This event is the only four-star event in North America and attracts the top eventing riders from around the globe. Come...
Click for a printable version of this chart.First impressions are important in showing horses, especially in the showmanship division. The judge will be evaluating you on how well you present your horse, which includes grooming and turn out. Start...
Like most riders, you might resent the thought of one more day in the arena. Even when armed with homework from your last lesson, arena riding can become uninspired and boring. When this happens, it’s difficult to find clear...
Precision and attention to detail are always important in the show pen, but they are especially crucial in showmanship competition. Horses must be turned out to perfection, and handlers need to be able to keep one eye on the...
The days of dressage riders in top hats seem like a distant memory, but it was only a few short years ago that helmets were the exception, not the rule, in dressage competition. A revision to the United States...
