Classical Dressage Practically Applied Clinics - CDPA

05/03/2026

28/02/2026

✨Finding intrinsic balance on the hind leg.

Snippets from some of today’s lessons at the Carwoola February clinic.

28/02/2026

✨ Finding the connection between the hand and the hind leg

Snippets from some of today’s lessons at the Carwoola February clinic.

28/02/2026

✨Intrinsic vs extrinsic balance

Snippets from some of today’s lessons at the Carwoola February clinic.

27/02/2026

Position filled pending deposit. Thank you alll.

Due to a ginormous vet bill one of our regular riders received, I currently have a position open for the April clinic in ALLORA. If you’d like to jump into her spot please send me a DM or SMS on 0️⃣4️⃣1️⃣6️⃣1️⃣0️⃣9️⃣7️⃣1️⃣5️⃣

05/10/2025

🌟 Classical Dressage Practically Applied Clinic Wrap-Up 🌟

Some real challenges this weekend, with Lou upping the ante in quite a few lessons! The overarching theme was slowing the gaits down to focus on balance, lift through the back, and finding a higher gait without a corresponding increase in speed.

There were definitely moments of the horses saying “I can’t / I don’t / I won’t,” but the end results showed they absolutely could, did, and did beautifully! The improvement in the quality of work and paces across the board was wonderful to see.

👏 Huge congratulations to all our participants for rising to the occasion, and thank you to everyone who joined us again at the Allora Showgrounds. We’re also very grateful to the Allora Show Society for providing such excellent facilities.

And of course, an enormous thank you to Louise van Gaal for once again making the long trip up to share her deep knowledge, experience, and insight with our riders.

30/09/2025

Choc chip bikkies ready for the October 3-5 Allora clinic. 🙌🏻🥰

Tea/coffee also provided for participants and auditors/fence sitters. Please see event notice for details!

27/07/2025

Another (Classical Dressage Practically Applied) clinic has come to a close—despite some epic weather on Saturday! 🌧 Huge thanks to the Allora Show Society for the roof and great facilities that kept us going.

Most riders managed to make it through the mud—thank you, legends! 🙌 I ended up pulling the pin on Saturday thanks to loading and mud‑management dramas (and yes, I’m sticking to that excuse 🫣).

Congratulations to everyone for embracing their own learning journeys. Riding and training our horses is rarely straightforward—it can be challenging, frustrating, and humbling—but every step forward counts.

This clinic focused on improving straightness by loading the right hind leg. We explored counter‑bend, nose‑to‑the‑wall exercises, and using rein, leg and seat (sometimes all three!) to support each horse. Many horses subtly unload or disengage a hind leg by stepping in or out depending on the rein—so helping riders feel and correct this was a big part of the learning.

Well done to all participants—so many great “lightbulb moments” this weekend. Onwards and upwards! 👏🐴