The Dressage Development Podcast

One of the biggest responsibilities of a coach is setting horse and rider up for success—not asking them to repeatedly struggle through an exercise that isn't working.In this episode, I got through 3 exercises that I adapted on the fly to improve horse/rider comprehension from a recent summer clinic:Leg Yield with a Spiral to teach the Leg YieldTOF and TOH diamond to improve connection in PirouettesCarl's LY off the rail with added cones to encourage riders to feel the benefits rather than 'wait' for perfection

I've read Down to Earth Dressage more times than I can count, and every reread leaves me highlighting something new. In this episode, I revisit Carl Hester's classic book to share the ideas that have had the biggest impact on my own riding and coaching—from developing suppleness through relaxation and riding more thoughtful transitions to creating expressive canter work, improving bend, preparing for flying changes, and building better halts.

Diving into the deeper meaning behind Erik Herbermann's timeless insights on riding, training, and the dressage seat. From exploring why dressage is really obedience training for the rider, to discovering how quietness and feel unlock the horse's response, this short podcast is packed with notes to tweak your brain, sharpen your aids, and rethink your "just sit deeper" obsession.

In this episode, I share 3 elements of riding and training that worked for my students, and I want to remember them in the future too!

The report might be 20+ years old, but the summary from the USDF convention in 2004 with Liza Wilcox and Ernst Hoyos still rings true. From redefining self-discipline, to the explanation of "poll the highest point", this 30-minute recap of the top 21 takeaways and notes to tweak your brain, sharpen your aids, and re-establish what you know about dressage.

Diving into the deeper meaning behind Sarah Geikie's simple (but powerful) tips to boost your dressage scores. From defining what 'mastering a cenerline' really is, or how to make any ride look effortlessly easy, this 30-minute podcast is packed with notes top tweak your brain, sharpen your aids, and rethink your 'square halt' obsession. 

In this episode, I'm diving into my notes and reflections on The View from C — an old school gem by Olympic judge and vet Dr. Dietmar Specht. While some parts of the book feel a bit outdated, I found so many valuable insights on the training scale, judging philosophy, and how our role as judges goes far beyond numbers on a score sheet. From the nuances of contact and impulsion to the weight of judging responsibly for the future of our sport, this episode is a deeper look into the layers that shape dressage — and what keeps me passionate about it.

A question sometimes deserves more than a simple answer. In today's notes, I summarize my explaination of the two rider position collectives at the end of the USDF dressage tests: Rider Position and Seat, and Rider's Correct and Effective use of Aids. I take inspiration from Erik Herbermann, Debbie Riehl-Rodriguez, and Fran Severn to help round out my notes.

Sometimes, all it takes is one sentence being italicized and emphasized to make you question if you really know the meaning behind it. In today's notes, we take inspiration from Bengt Ljungquist's book Practical Dressage Manual and go into the extended trot and how to it's more than just a red panda definition.