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Credit: Courtesy, Maya Tahara Maya Tahara and Gemma
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The Effect of Your Hands On Your Core Stability

Biomechanics expert Susanne von Dietze critiques junior rider Maya Tahara.

Credit: Courtesy, Ashley Pooler Seventeen-year-old Ashley Pooler rides her own 3-year-old Dutch Harness gelding, I-Ronic, at Training Level.
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Create Steady Contact with Better Balance

Susanne von Dietze critiques Ashley Pooler at Training Level.

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Maximize the Power of Long Limbs with Core Stability

Biomechanics expert Susanne von Dietze critiques Griffin Denham at First Level.

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.”
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Distance Education for the Dressage Rider

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

Credit: Keena Mullen Keena Mullen rides the 11-year-old Thoroughbred mare, Yes Virginia, in a First Level test.
First Level

Align Your Body for Better Balance in the Saddle

Susanne von Dietze critiques Keena Mullen and Yes Virginia at First Level

Credit: SusanJStickle.com Rachel Chowanec (shown) and Courtney King-Dye are two long-time students of Lendon Gray who exemplify following the horse’s movement extremely well.
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The Rider's Role in Self-Carriage

Lendon Gray explains how the use of passive aids can improve a horse's self-carriage.

Credit: Courtesy, Carol Riegel Carol Riegel rides Rhode Show (a.k.a., Big Ben), an 8-year-old Hanoverian gelding at First Level.
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Compliments for a "Re-Rider" Who Returns to Dressage

Axel Steiner shares his opinions.

Dr. Cesar Parra demonstrates on Grandioso, a 10-year-old Westfalen gelding. On the opposite page, he rides Lindner, a 6-year-old Westfalen gelding. Both horses are owned by Michael and Sarah Davis.
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Canter Exercises with Cesar Parra

Test your progress through the levels with canter exercises.

Credit: Courtesy, Molly Granahan Molly Granahan rides the 23-year-old Welsh–Thoroughbred-cross gelding, Rain, at Training Level.
Training Level

Shift Your Visual Focus While Riding

Biomechanics expert Susanne von Dietze explains how to shift your visual focus as a rider and critiques Molly Granahan at Training Level

Credit: Terri Miller
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Proper Dressage Arena Setup

Here is the geometry of arranging the rails and letters of the ring efficiently and correctly.

Credit: Courtesy, Wendy Malek Wendy Malek rides her 5-year-old Azteca mare, Bloo, at Training and First Levels.
First Level

Free Your Dressage Horse’s Shoulders

Biomechanics expert Susanne von Dietze critiques Wendy Malek at Training and First Levels.

Credit: Kimberly Battista
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Hanna Somatic Education for Dressage Riders

Learn how this system of neuromuscular education can help you use your body more effectively in the saddle.

Credit: Courtesy, Cindy Sydnor Molly Paris rides My Maxwell, a 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Lisa Gorsuch, at the Prix St. Georges level.
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Strengthen and Improve Your Dressage Seat

Courtney King-Dye critiques Molly Paris at Prix St. Georges level.

Credit: Courtesy, Brenna Nordstrom Brenna Nordstrom rides her 9-year-old American Hanoverian mare, Welkin, at First Level.
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Concentrate on the Interplay of Dressage Aids

Susanne von Dietze critiques Brenna Nordstrom at First Level.

charlotte dujardin renaissance tyme
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Inside Charlotte Dujardin's Training Principles

Charlotte Dujardin shares her training principles with eager fans during the Rolex Central Park Horse Show.

Credit: Lynn van Woudenbergh – Arnd.nl Carl Hester and Nip Tuck demonstrate how once a rider knows the movements inside and out, he can perform them in any situation.
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Make it to the Top in Dressage

Advice from top trainers at the European Championships at Aachen 2015 on progressing to the elite ranks of the sport.

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Use Transitions to Keep the Focus on You

Courtney King-Dye critiques Kelly Sullivan at Training Level.

Exercises ridden on a 20-meter circle can develop adjustability and elasticity in your horse.
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Exercises for a Small Arena

Jennifer Williams provides beneficial exercises for riding in small arenas.

Credit: Anya Crane
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How to Judge and Ride the "Rider Tests"

Learn how to judge and ride the new "rider tests."

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Riding / Training How-To

Should I Punish My Horse for Misbehavior?

USDF gold medalist Jaime Amain tells us how to correct a horse properly

Credit: © oliophotography One of the most common issues that cause a loose seat in heavy transitions is the rider’s core fitness. To improve core fitness, using a mix of Pilates and yoga exercises can be quite effective.
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How Do I Stay with My Horse During Transitions?

USDF gold medalist Katie Hoefs-Martin explains how a strong core helps in riding transitions

Credit: Courtesy, Casual Creations Photography The 2015 IDA National Champions from Emory and Henry College (from left) Coach Lisa Moosmueller-Terry, Nicholas Martino, Bailey Halverson, Karissa Donohue, Elijah Worth-Jones, Morgan Sollenberger, Amanda Snow and Emma Baltuskoknis
Intercollegiate Dressage

Strategies for Succeeding in Intercollegiate Dressage

Tips and advice from collegiate dressage coaches and riders to prepare for catch riding.

Credit: Arnd Bronkhorst - Arnd.nl One can easily imagine the kind of strength required in the haunches in order to be able to perform the levade. Not surprisingly, within stables where the airs above the ground are taught, there are those that become known as levade horses.
Theory

Why Is the Levade Not in the Grand Prix Test?

George Wiliams offers his take on why this high-school movement isn't seen in competition.

Credit: Photos courtesy, Cindy Sydnor Karen Allred rides Anna, her 16-year-old Hanoverian mare, at Second Level.
Instruction

Align the Body for the Half Pass

Courtney King-Dye critiques Karen Allred.