Micromanaging

Micromanaging

by | Jun 28, 2017 | Samantha, Tips, Training Tips, Uncategorized

Recently I have been riding three very different horses but a theme has come to light during my lessons which is my bad habit of micromanaging. I think dressage riders have an especially tough task in avoiding micromanaging their horses during rides. Dressage attracts...
Do Your Homework

Do Your Homework

by | Apr 20, 2017 | Samantha, Tips

“Do your homework!” – This is something we are told repeatedly from elementary school on up. It is also something crucially important in dressage.   I recently had the opportunity to spend two months as a working student for Allison Spivey Dressage and there I...
Communication

Communication

by | Mar 27, 2017 | Amy, Tips

Communication.  If there was one word that I think of when it comes to dressage that would be it.  From the very beginning of when I learned to ride and knew what dressage was I was fascinated by it.  How does an FEI rider get their horse to do all those things and...

Schooling vs. Recognized Showing

by | Mar 7, 2017 | Amy, Samantha, Showing, Tips

Dahlgren Dressage is lucky enough to be located in central Virginia where there are a lot of local riding clubs that put on inexpensive, casual dressage and combined training shows. We typically have at least one winter show series as well, which is nice as that can...
Winter Motivation Tips

Winter Motivation Tips

by | Feb 15, 2017 | Amy, Samantha, Tips, Winter

For those of us who are not lucky enough to head south for the winter, we are struggling through the daily battles of freezing temperatures, snow, ice, frozen water, the lack of daylight, and just plain lack of motivation. Some of us are taking care of our own horses...