Heather Jones Dressage

Heather Jones Dressage Heather Jones British Dressage UKCC3 Accredited Coach
BD Youth Coach & Test Ride Assessor. Caring & personalised coaching with a keen eye on the ground.

I cater to all ages and abilities. Expert support with confidence issues.

📍Ashford

05/09/2026

When this lovely rider first reached out to me, Olivia was looking for a bi-weekly coaching sessions to guide her and her boy. Olivia had him for 1 year and 7 months, successfully doing cross-country and fun events, but he absolutely loved his work and could get a bit over-excited and rushy, the canter he basically locked and went and rider was a passenger.

21st June: We had our very first coaching session together. Instead of just throwing exercises her way and what some would say riding the horse from the ground, we both together used structural pedagogy—guided discovery, feedback delay, and external focus cues—to teach her brain how to help his brain. We leaned heavily on ground work in-hand to build quicker reactions and consistency, before seamlessly putting it all together under saddle.

6th August: They entered their first show together. I actually couldn't be there because I was judging elsewhere that same day, which was the ultimate test of her independence! Olivia’s message to me afterward said it all:

"Completed first round bit of a rocket, will send the videos when I get home. 60 up next we went clear though! Yeah definitely! At some points where he started rushing I used the elevation method and felt a huge difference."

Olivia didn't have me in her ear, but because we trained her long-term memory, she recalled the exact technique needed under pressure.

12th August: Consistency is key. Olivia messaged me after doing a quick bit of ground work in the field using the techniques from our sessions, noting his reactions were getting quicker and sharper. ❤️

Today's Update:

"Like Riding a Different Horse"Today was their second show jumping event, and she sent me a voice message that literally made my week. I want to share her words with you because this is exactly what active, independent coaching is designed to achieve:

"Went back to our local show today, we did 60 and 70 classes. He was incredible, it was like I was riding a different horse! It was so good, especially the 70 class—literally incredible, like a different horse. Then unfortunately we had a misunderstanding, he went left and I went right, and I did come off... but I am really happy! I can definitely feel a difference. I can feel that our coaching sessions are really making a difference and really improving him. I liked the confidence I had going round, it was incredible, like I was really confident. Obviously he’s a confident horse, but sometimes I would worry about him bombing off. Today he was foot perfect, other than the departure we had. It was incredible.

"Falling off might happen, but look at that mindset!

The worry of him "bombing off" was entirely replaced by pure, unshakeable confidence because she knew exactly how to pilot her horse.

The ground work in-hand paired with our ridden sessions has completely transformed this partnership. I am so incredibly proud of them, and the best part? I get to be with this lovely combination again tomorrow to keep building on this amazing momentum!😊

🗓️ Ready to build lasting muscle memory, conquer the "rushy" moments, and become a truly confident, independent rider?

I have limited personalised 1:1 coaching slots available! Whether you want to establish solid ground work or find that next gear under saddle, let’s lock those habits in.

👇 Comment "1:1" below or send me a DM to grab your slot, and let me know:

what is one thing your horse does that makes you lose your confidence in the ring?

Heather Jones Dressage

05/09/2026

🤔. Have you ever been riding, felt that nagging feeling that you missed something, but just couldn't pinpoint what it was?

As a dressage coach, I hear versions of this all the time. It highlights a massive challenge in the arena: how do we move a new skill from short-term memory (where it’s easily forgotten under pressure) into long-term memory, where it becomes an automatic habit?

If you are constantly relying on my voice over the headset to remind you to "step with the inside leg," "keep the outside rein," or "don't let the shoulder drop," we haven't locked that skill into your long-term memory yet. My ultimate goal isn't for you to need me forever—it’s to help you become an independent, self-correcting rider. Here is how I facilitate your learning so it actually sticks.

From Telling to Asking (Guided Discovery): Instead of just shouting corrections, I ask questions like, "What did you feel in that transition?" This forces your brain to actively retrieve information, which acts like superglue for memory.

The "Staircase Leg-Yield" Challenge: One of my absolute favourite exercises to build long-term memory is breaking up a standard leg-yield into a "staircase" pattern. Instead of one long line from the centerline to the wall, we leg-yield a few steps, ride straight for a few steps, and then leg-yield again. This constantly changes the question. Your brain can't go on autopilot; you have to actively coordinate your inner leg and outer rein aids every time we switch focus.

Feedback Delay: I purposely give you a moment to process a mistake before I jump in. This allows your own brain to register the error and find the solution first.

Reflective De-briefing: At the end of a movement or a session, I have you summarise what clicked and what didn't. Putting your feelings and body awareness into your own words triggers deep cognitive processing, turning a fleeting feeling into a permanent mental blueprint.

External Focus Cues: I swap out internal body commands (like "drop your heel") for external results (like "push the stirrup bar down toward the ground" or "feel the horse's barrel push against your calf").

Research shows that focusing on the effect of your movement rather than just your anatomy helps the brain automate muscle memory much faster. When we train this way, you stop being a passive passenger waiting for instructions. You become an active pilot who can feel, analyse, and adjust in real-time—even when I'm not there.😊

Let's get those habits locked in!

🗓️ Ready to build lasting muscle memory and become a truly independent rider? I have limited personalised 1:1 coaching slots available!

👇 Comment "1:1" below or send me a DM to grab your slot, and let me know: what is one dressage concept you always seem to "forget" the moment you enter the arena?

Heather Jones Dressage

Does the rhythm hide a gap?That’s the bit riders often miss. A horse can look balanced on the outside, while the real is...
05/09/2026

Does the rhythm hide a gap?

That’s the bit riders often miss. A horse can look balanced on the outside, while the real issue is in the connection, the timing, or the way the aids are being received.

When the rhythm feels right but the ride feels hollow, it’s usually time to look at the conversation, not just the movement.

Book a 1:1 session

link in bio https://www.jones-dressage.co.uk Life

04/09/2026

A peaceful finish to a long day. 🌅

This right here is my favorite part of the day. After a day of coaching horse and rider as well as schooling horses under saddle, there is nothing more rewarding than finishing up the evening duties, listening to the horses settle in, and just soaking in this view.

It’s in these quiet, tired moments that I feel the most connected to why I do this work. The long days are always worth it for a peaceful finish like this. 😌

✨What is the one thing at the end of your workday that makes all the hard work completely worth it? Let me know in the comments! 👇

Heather Jones Dressage

04/09/2026

Why does precision make some horses switch off?

When the work gets more exact, many horses stop offering the same focus because the picture suddenly feels less clear to them.

That’s usually where the rider needs to slow down, simplify the ask, and make the communication easier to understand.

If your horse loses focus when the details matter, I can help you find the missing piece.

DM me

link in bio https://www.jones-dressage.co.uk Life

Are you rushing the transition?One of the biggest rider habits I see is asking too much, too soon. The horse feels the c...
03/09/2026

Are you rushing the transition?

One of the biggest rider habits I see is asking too much, too soon. The horse feels the change before the rider has really prepared it, and the result is a transition that feels hurried instead of educational.

When you slow the setup and make the aids clearer, the horse has time to understand what you want. That is where better communication starts.

Try that in your next ride.

https://www.jones-dressage.co.uk Life

What changes in a private dressage session when you stop guessing and start training with purpose?A private session chan...
03/09/2026

What changes in a private dressage session when you stop guessing and start training with purpose?

A private session changes when we stop filling in the gaps and start looking at what the horse actually understands. That is where clearer communication, better timing, and more purposeful work begin.

You leave with a plan, not a pile of ideas.

Book a 1:1 session

https://www.jones-dressage.co.uk Life

02/09/2026

A calm horse can still feel miles away mentally.

That’s usually where confidence starts to slip, because the picture looks fine on the outside while the connection feels thin underneath.

In dressage, progress gets easier when you slow down and figure out what’s actually holding the partnership back, then build from there.

What’s the biggest place you notice that distance, in schooling, transitions, or the moment you ask for more?

link in bio https://www.jones-dressage.co.uk Life

Ready for your September reset?If your dressage feels a bit wobbly right now, this is your sign to book a proper coachin...
02/09/2026

Ready for your September reset?

If your dressage feels a bit wobbly right now, this is your sign to book a proper coaching slot.

On 21 September 2025 in Bethersden, you can book 50-minute sessions from 10am to 5pm. All levels, ages, and abilities are welcome.

Build confidence, clear the little niggles, and leave with a better feel for your horse.

Book your slot

link in bio https://www.jones-dressage.co.uk Life

01/09/2026

“It’s all too much.”

Ever had those moments where your own mind becomes your toughest opponent? As a freelance rider and UKCC3 British Dressage coach, I spend my life analysing every single detail.

The reality of it -after a long day on the road, sitting in the arena, or in the saddle, I often find myself falling into the over-analysis trap. Am I doing enough?
Could I have done more?
How could I have been better?

In our world, it feels like "good" is never quite good enough for how we want to show up. We constantly chase perfection. But in reality, when we strip away the pressure... maybe what we are doing right now is actually more than enough.🤔. Reflection is an incredibly powerful thing, and it’s something I take very seriously whether I’m coaching a rider or schooling a horse. ….But there is a fine line between constructive reflection and destructive self-criticism.

Let’s be honest: our industry is tough enough as it is. We deal with grueling hours, unpredictable weather, and the physical toll of the job. On top of that, the equestrian world can sometimes feel isolating.

True, structured support isn't always easily accessible, and instead of lifting each other up, it can feel like we are all operating in our own pressured bubbles, quietly fighting the same imposter syndrome.

But here is my reflection for today, and a gentle reminder for anyone else who needs to hear it: You do not have to be perfect to be making progress. Your dedication, your care for the horses, and the energy you pour into your clients matters immensely.

Give yourself credit for the hard work that happens behind the scenes when nobody is watching. Take a deep breath. You are doing a grand job. 🐴

✨I want to hear from you: How do you handle that inner voice telling you to do more?

Drop a comment below and let's support each other—what’s one win (big or small) you’ve had with your horse or your riding this week?

Let’s celebrate them together. 👇 Heather Jones Dressage

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