No horse is born able to understand and perfectly respond to a rider’s aids. Whether through bad habits, physical make-up or a lack of training, horses can end up with less-than-ideal habits under saddle. Here, Grand Prix dressage rider...
Jasen Shelley, a United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) hunter and jumper course designer, encourages riders at all levels to try a hunter derby, whether at a USEF-rated or local horse show.
"Course designers and judges are often looking for...
In the last few years, hunter horses have been overshadowed by their flashier, speedier counterparts in the jumper ring. With an easily understood judging system—the horse and rider who jump fastest without knocking anything down or refusing win—show jumping...
Breaking in tall boots can be a pain—literally. The backs of rider’s knees and ankles are especially susceptible to blisters and abrasions until the leather "drops” and breaks in, conforming to the leg.Keep in mind that not all...
Heading into the show ring is stressful enough—the last thing you need is a wild ride in the warm-up ring beforehand. At hunter/jumper shows, the warm-up can be a crowded, chaotic place with horses and riders everywhere, going in...
For anyone that aspires to compete in eventing, cross-country jumping is a critical skill to master. However, opportunities for schooling are often limited by location, not to mention winter weather. Fortunately, there are many cross-country concepts that you can...
Even if you can nail the distance to every fence, your hunter is sure to stay out of the ribbons if he can’t easily perform a flying lead change. The following tips will help you learn how to ask...
Q: My 5-year-old gelding’s introduction to dressage is going well, but I can’t figure out how to keep him from collapsing his shoulder inward when we do circles or bend in the corners. How do I help him stay...
Selecting the correct bit is one of the most important parts of training your horse and bringing out his best performance. Here, Gina Miles, the 2008 Olympic individual silver medalist in three-day eventing, shares advice to help you navigate...
Knowing how to use a direct rein is an important skill
whether you ride English or western. Unlike neck reining, where the horse turns
in response to pressure from the outside rein lying against its neck, a direct
rein aid leads a...
