Topline Dressage

10/06/2026

Yesterday marked Lola’s 20th birthday! This mare has talent for days and has taught so many riders from beginners to advanced how to trot, canter, ride half passes and flying changes. She can go from a stark beginner lesson to doing pirouettes and tempi changes with joy. Riding her is like coming home. But don’t let her fool you, she will not do anything unless you ask her just right. This is what makes her such a great schoolmaster. So from all of us that have had the pleasure to ride you, Lola, thanks for making us better riders. Here’s to many more great years ahead!

08/06/2026

Yes! This! Forward is not always the answer. Straighten and rebalance.

“Put more leg on to push him into the contact.”

Did that bring the horse’s head back in front of the vertical and create a soft, elastic connection?

Nope.

French Classical Riding, and Philippe Karl’s teaching in particular, completely changed how I see this.

Simply adding more leg and generating more speed won’t help a horse who’s behind the vertical come forward into a healthy contact.

First we have to ask:

Why has the horse gone behind the vertical?

In my experience, it’s often a loss of balance and/or a fear or misunderstanding of the contact.

That means the solution has to come from helping the horse regain balance (particularly by lifting the forehand) and helping them relax into the bit through gentle education, so they understand the meaning of the aids and learn that the contact will never cause pain.

When horses lose balance or become worried about the contact, they have choices. Some brace against the bit. Some rush. Some curl their neck and hide behind the contact because it feels like the safest place to be.

If I simply add more leg without restoring balance or addressing that worry, all I’ve done is ask an unbalanced horse to move faster. The posture rarely improves—it usually becomes even more compressed.

Instead, I now ask myself:

• Can they carry themselves a little better?
• Can they lift the base of the neck?
• Can I soften the jaw so they stop needing to protect themselves?
• Can I rebalance before I ask for more energy?

One of my favourite moments in training is when a horse realises they can trust the hand.

The bit stops being something to hide from and becomes something that helps them feel more balanced, more comfortable and more confident in their own body.

That moment is golden.

Have you ever been told, “Just ride them more forwards” when your horse went behind the vertical?

Did it help?

06/24/2026

Therefore, it is just so beautiful. Moving art.

Why Dressage?

It’s more than just patterns; it’s a system designed to enhance the horse’s natural way of going.

The goal is to develop a secure, confident athlete by refining the basics for both horse and rider. When we help a horse find balance and lightness while building carrying power, the movements have a true gymnastic effect.

True classical training isn’t just about the physical—it’s directly linked to the horse's mental well-being and longevity.

05/25/2026

Today marked his Second Level Debut and he danced down centerline to a respectable 68%! I was very proud with his demeanor during this whole show with rain, mud, and a sloshy show ring. But he never put a foot wrong. How nice it is to see the young horses blossom! Love you, Puzzle!

05/15/2026

I would clarify that the inner/ back of the thigh is not just about shortening and lengthening the stride but upward suspension of the shoulder. I would also close and open more in the rhythm of the gait so we are not pinching and shutting down the freedom of the stride. But good visual!

05/11/2026

Yes! I like the horses to move off with opening and providing a space instead of physically trying to push him somewhere.

05/09/2026

In riding leg yields, pushing the horse sideways from the inside leg can give a confusing signal to the horse which usually results in too much bend and the horse falling through the outside shoulder.

This needs to be balanced with your outside aids to keep the horse straight. Better yet, just shift your seat in the direction of the leg yield and watch your horse step underneath your weight. This frees up your legs to manage the straightness of the horse and activity of each hind leg.

Do you find yourself using more and more inside leg because your horse isn’t moving sideways enough? Try activating with your outside leg to encourage the horse to open out his outside hip and hind leg to allow more room for the inside hind leg to cross over.

This should result in straighter and more sideways leg yields.

04/20/2026

Happy 9th birthday, Puzzle!

Happy 8th birthday to this lovable hunk! This guy has s***k undersaddle but can also be perfect for my toddler to pony around on. The best of both worlds. Love you, Puzzle! 🖤🤍