Articles by Karen M. Brittle - Dressage Today

Karen M. Brittle

cathrine dufour atterupgaards cassidy arn bronkhorst

A study of this successful Danish dressage horse's lineage

bavarian warmblood lorenzo arnd bronkhorst

Why this gelding embodies the successful outcome of a long-term breeding strategy

vert equestrian sensor

How apps, tech gadgets and devices can improve your dressage

don johnson frh arnd bronkhorst

A Legacy Performer with Royal Blood

Showtime FRH

Breeds/Breeding

Take a closer look at the lineage of this shy Hanoverian.

desperados FRH kristina broring sprehe arnd bronkhorst

Why Desperados FRH is considered the epitome of today’s Hanoverian breed

dressage tack by arnd bronkhorst

Dressage tack has changed significantly over the years—but it is for better or for worse?

bloodlines of top dressage horses dressage today

What is a Warmblood?

3 Juliette Cain schooling Mariska

Junior/ Young Rider

FEI-level competitor and trainer Katie Poag helps her students earn scores while refining their skills in the life-long pursuit of dressage.

clipped horse winter blanket dusty perin

Alan Davies and Carmen Thiemann share their systems for keeping horses comfortable.

horse grazing courtesy lisa gruen

Learn what you can do to welcome Old Man Winter to your home or riding facility.

dressage summer heat show

Experts provide tips to help horse and rider safely handle extreme heat.

Credit: Paula da Silva- arnd.nl Dr. Nancy Loving, of Boulder, Colorado, says routine vaccinations are vital to ensuring a horse’s good health.

Horse Illnesses & Injuries

The what, why and how

Credit: Maren Leichhauer/Kosmos Dr. Ina Gösmeier, of Marl, Germany, has accompanied the German National Equestrian Team to all international competitions and has been responsible for supporting the well-being, soundness and performance of the team’s horses by providing holistic veterinary care.

Horse Illnesses & Injuries

Understanding complementary therapies and how they work can help your horse perform at his best.

Credit: Amy K. Dragoo Based on both current veterinary research and their experiences in practice, Dr. Weston Davis, Dr. Scott Swerdlin and Dr. Cricket Russillo agree that when it comes to joint injections for dressage horses moving up the levels, it’s really more a question of “when” than “if.”

Horse Illnesses & Injuries

Medical experts weigh in on this common practice.

Credit: Courtesy, EFF Dreamer, a Palomino gelding, is the star of “Unbridled,” winner of the EQUUS Film Festival’s WINNIE Award for Best of Festival Feature-Length Film. Here he’s pictured with (from left) co-star Jenn Gotzon, trainer Lindsey Partridge of Harmony Horsemanship, festival founder Lisa Diersen and film director John David Ware.

International Travel

Captivating audiences in New York City, Omaha and beyond

Credit: Courtesy, Marilyn Borglum Artist Marilyn Borglum frequently paints Urano VO, a Lusitano stallion owned by Lisa Diersen of the Royal Lusitano Farm in St. Charles, Illinois. Mario Contreras has competed Urano through Third Level.

Personal Journey

Exploring equine form and gesture in classical portraiture

Credit: Joan Copeland Rider Joanne Silverman, who has taken distance-education courses, says, “If you want to be a good rider, you need to watch good riding. In the past, that was not possible for every rider, but with the onset of the cyber world this opportunity has become available for anyone who can get to a computer.”

Remote learning opportunities allow riders to expand their knowledge of dressage.

Credit: Rod Millington Movie producers Dori Rath and Castille Landon both knew they wanted to cast a Friesian for the role of Dag Dia, the powerful stallion in their new film.

This beloved baroque breed shines on the silver screen.

Canada’s Paralympian Lauren Barwick and her 2014 World Equestrian Games partner, Off to Paris (“Paris”), a 13-year-old Oldenburg mare

Personal Journey

Learn how this amazing dressage rider overcame challenge and continues to develop her riding career.

Credit: Courtesy, Jaclyn Sicoli Woodvale Farms in Frederick, Maryland—home to Jaclyn Sicoli’s Peace of Mind Dressage—hosts many events come springtime. For Sicoli a “functional, clean and peaceful horsey environment” relates directly back to the horses’ well-being.

Barn and Facility

Review your seasonal to-do list with tips from professionals to maintain your equipment and facility.

Credit: Courtesy, Juliette Cain Karen Brittle and Boo

One rider shares her story of working with a challenging project horse who reminds her to ride with heart and technique.

Credit: Juliette Cain Karen Brittle on Freewind; dressage trainer Katie Poag

Pushing past personal limitations

Credit: Juliette Cain Karen Brittle on Freewind; trainer Katie Poag

Pushing past personal limitations with help from dressage trainer Katie Poag.