Welcome to the Dressage Today podcast sponsored by Equithrive. In this episode, Aviva talks about the newest addition to her herd – Ralphie the Dutch Harness Horse. She also explains the difference between the submission score and the effectiveness of the aids score on the collective marks of a dressage test in the “Ask the L” segment. Together they have an engaging conversation with dressage TD Robyn Nunnally. Nunnally, who currently lives in Suffock, Virginia, grew up riding hunters and Arabians before making the switch to dressage. Today she is an USEF “R” judge and C2 steward in ..read more

Welcome to the Dressage Today podcast sponsored by Equithrive. In this episode, Aviva and Stephanie talk about the mental health aspect of the horse industry and how their interviews with Nancy Lavoie and Dr. Jenny Susser can help start a conversation. Then Aviva talks about how a canter transition is scored when it happens early or late. Together they interview Dr. Jenny Susser who did a series of articles with Dressage Today in the past. Dr. Susser has a PhD in Clinical Health Psychology, specializing in Sport Psychology. She has been engaged in the art and science of hum ..read more

In today’s Buzz, bit and bridle expert and USDF gold medalist Stephanie Brown-Beamer gives an overview of bitting basics for your dressage horse. She shares what she has learned, what she often sees, trends she has observed and what you should keep in mind when bitting your own horse. She discusses her process for assessing a horse and his mouth to select the most appropriate bit. Members of Equestrian+ can watch videos with Stephanie Brown-Beamer here. Not a member? Sign up for a free trial with subscription. Enter DTPODCAST at checkout to save 15% on your first month. Website: http ..read more

Welcome to the Dressage Today podcast sponsored by Equithrive. In this episode, Stephanie gives an update on her horse Nadia, and Aviva answers an Ask the L question about the correct amount of angle in shoulder in. Together they have an excellent conversation with Nancy Lavoie about her history in teaching dressage and how changing the conversation (both internally and externally) can help improve riding and the sport of dressage.   Nancy Later Lavoie is a lifelong equestrian with a special love for dressage. In addition to being an accomplished competitor through the Grand Pri ..read more

Welcome to Dressage Today’s Training Buzz sponsored by Purina. Today we hear from USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist Michele Wellman. She practices what she preaches when she says to advocate for the horse. In this clip, Michele tells the story about one of her horses who encountered various physical issues and the long road to determine the cause. Members of Equestrian+ can watch Michele Wellman’s cavalletti series here. Not a member? Sign up for a free trial with subscription. Enter DTPODCAST at checkout to save 15% on your first month. Your horse has unique feed needs, and Purina has ..read more

In today’s Buzz, horsemanship expert Chelsea Canedy explains how meditation can help work with clients and horses. It makes her more comfortable with a sense of stillness, allowing her to take moments of silence both externally and internally and locating a warmth of presence and gratitude. Members of Equestrian+ can watch many videos with Chelsea Canedy here. Not a member? Sign up for a free trial with subscription. Enter DTPODCAST at checkout to save 15% on your first month. Website: https://dressagetoday.com Video Subscription Site: https://www.equestrianplus.com Social Media ..read more

Welcome to the Dressage Today podcast sponsored by Spalding Labs. Stephanie and Aviva start with talking about Stephanie’s recent trip to film the Adequan®/USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference that was held just outside of Wellington. Then Aviva answers the question of: In first level can you switch between sitting trot and posting trot?  Then together they talk to equine nutritionist and physiologist Dr. Debra Powell.  Dr. Powell is a native of Charleston, SC. In 1984, she obtained a bachelor’s degree from Hampton University, 1992, a master’s degree from the University of Il ..read more

On this week’s Training Buzz, we hear from Hilda Gurney, Olympic dressage team bronze medalist, international judge, trainer, instructor, and breeder. In this clip, she talks about how to execute the half halt as well as how to use the half halt to gain lightness in the bridle and re-balance the horse. Members of Equestrian+ can watch many videos with Hilda Gurney here. Not a member? Sign up for a free trial with subscription. Enter DTPODCAST at checkout to save 15% on your first month. Website: https://dressagetoday.com Video Subscription Site: https://ondemand.dressagetoday.co ..read more

In this Training Buzz, FEI 5* judge Janet Foy and Team Olympic Bronze Medalist Debbie McDonald answer questions from auditors of a clinic. Foy first explains how she judges the turn on the haunches and gives useful tips on how to ride the movement the best. They next talk about how to work with a horse that has conformational challenges, and the last question is about the tongue being out during a test and how that is scored. Members of Dressage Today OnDemand can watch the full video here. Not a member? Sign up for a free trial with subscription. Enter DTPODCAST at checkout to save ..read more

Welcome to the Dressage Today podcast sponsored by USRider. Stephanie and Aviva take a look back at who they talked to in 2023, and Aviva answers an “Ask the L” question about how long to halt and salute. Then Stephanie does a reading of Half Halts Simplified with Kathy Connelly, which was the most read article on Dressage Today’s website in 2022. Kathy Connelly, a renowned dressage trainer and instructor, breaks down the concept of half-halts in dressage riding. In this article, she simplifies this often-misunderstood technique and explains its importance in improving comm ..read more