DRESSAGE FANATICS!!!

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Comment by vickie lawson on November 7, 2009 at 3:15am

i had the chance to audit half a day's lessons by leonie brammal originally from bc, now in germany. my very young instructor has imported a stallion ridden and shown by leonie, and it was great to hear another canadian accent.

Comment by vickie lawson on November 7, 2009 at 2:56am

well. this is it! delph's 1st registered dressage show. and of course we had an argument today. 1st time ever for arguing. must have pushed too much i think. hopefully all will be forgotten and we will get the marks we've been getting with quality list 2/3 judges in unregistered!! this has been a 25 year dream- to breed, raise, train and show my horse in registered dressage.

Comment by Rekha Devagnanam on November 4, 2009 at 3:58am

Mary, thank you so much. Yes I have regular instruction and she is even doing my instructors head in !! ( my instructor is a very high level national competitor) I am so anti the push and pull method and am trying to get it all the right way, but I suspect she may have been educated in pull and push and maybe that's all she understands ? Can't see how it will work in the long term though . We do do lots of leg yield, a bit of shoulder in and flexion and counter flexion on both loops and circles....when she gets it right she is stunning and I am sure we could advance quickly, and I must admit I have learnt a lot from her this year ( I am not super experinced, but put in heaps of time and a great deal of passion) but this last month has been frustrating as I have finally developed quiet legs a solid seat,much better balance and a good upright position and now I can't seem to finish it all off nicely !!! really appreciate your comments - thank you, will try and keep her stady and balanced - maybe I am pushing too hard !!

Comment by Mary McGuire Smith on November 4, 2009 at 1:49am

Hi Rekha,
Welcome to the group. Thanks for the addition of the linik for the Petition. You may want to read my blog on it at http://iridedressage.blogspot.com
As for your question about being "on the bit", or as I prefer to say it "on the aids", just as a general suggestion, make sure you do lots of good transitions, both within the gait and between gaits. Make sure that your connection is giving, yet firm and ready enough that she can't be rude and yank the reins through....she has to learn to carry herself in your parameters...your instructor can probably help you with that concept--it is not an easy one. Also, if you are applying the aids that you list in your question correctly, you may also want to start incorporating the beginning of lateral work. Warmng up long and low is good, but even that can be overdone, and tends to put the horse on the forehand if overdone. And remember that "forward" doesn't mean faster....using lots of leg can produce so much ground-covering that she can't balance herself properly....kind of like running downhill. Do you have regular help (instruction)?

Comment by Rekha Devagnanam on November 3, 2009 at 11:07pm

On the bit.....I need help with my little mare . We do heaps of warm up work long and low, we try and use inside leg to outside rein, support with lots of half halts, push forward with lots of leg , and I just cannot get her to stay on the bit. Every now and then she will give me a few minutes of lovely rounded work with great movement, but then she just sticks her nose out again, or snatches the reins and will not keep going on the bit even though I am sure it feels good for her as it does for me. We have had great results from training level competition, but every judge has commented she needs to go up into the bridle more and be soft through her back. Any suggestions? (I have had her back and hips checked, she is not sore - just cheeky I think which is why that is her name !!!) I was hoping to move up to official compettion this summer - but I cannot go forward if she will not yield a bit more !!!

Comment by Catherine on November 3, 2009 at 10:54pm

Thanks Rekha! I'm sure many of the members will be interested in this.

Comment by Rekha Devagnanam on October 27, 2009 at 9:56pm

Dear Dressage Fanatics,
I have just joined your group - thank you - I am a dressage fanatic !!!
I am sure you are all aware of the hyperfelxion/rollkur controversy - and I am sure many of yu have seen the latest you tube clip on the horse with the blue tongu - if you feel strongly about this you may like to sign this petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/766676124

Thanks - happy riding - Rekha

Comment by Popcorn on September 17, 2009 at 2:19pm

Yes Ruth is awesome and so is Jane Savoie, I really enjoy their help and it works too, believe me I need it all the help I can get.
If you know of anyone looking for a dressage horse we have 4 for sale at our farm. One ready to show 2nd level, schooling 3rd, a just backed black 4 yr old mare by Wolkenglanz, a black yr filly by Fabuleux and a 12 yr old dark bay mare (shown 1st level) who would be great for a novice. We are inbetween Orillia and Barrie (Ont). Prices ranging from $5000 to $12000... all priced really low.

Hope everyone is fine, what awesome weather for riding! Enjoy.

Comment by darla leeanne flack on September 17, 2009 at 10:50am

Hi, have just joined your "club". Have signed up for Ruth's monthly newsletter and am So impressed by her website!

Comment by Julie Watchorn on September 3, 2009 at 11:39pm

Germany's Olympic GOLD medalist Heike Kemmer's first Canadian symposium is taking place at Stirling Hill Farm this September 25, 26, and 27th. If you are interested contact Horse Sport and take a look at the details of this event through the link below. Come! Watch! Learn!!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=132216775842&ref=nf

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