When chatting with a dressage pro, the last place you expect your conversation to go is to the mythology of esteemed writer and professor Joseph Campbell. But then, Rachel Saavedra is not your conventional trainer. Perhaps what make’s Rachel so inspiring though, is her thoughtful and introspective approach to dressage. We explored the existence of a rider in our sport. We talked about mindfulness. We talked about community. And we talked about how our personal journeys relate to our time in the saddle. (Photo by Gary Getz) So what does Joseph Campbell have to do with our own equestrian experi ..read more

“I’m not one to get hung up on numbers, but if you want to say 60 is the new 40, I’ll take that. You can be and do whatever you want, thanks to exercise and hair color.” Oprah Winfrey on turning 60. In many ways, equestrians of a certain age have it much easier than our younger counterparts. Children are out of the house and those 50+ hour work weeks are (hopefully) a thing of the past. There’s more time and freedom to pursue our passions, and luckily for dressage riders, the golden years are ripe for the picking. In our sport age is just a number, you truly are as young as you feel. Dressage ..read more

When I initially spoke with Adequan Global Dressage Festival competitor, Candace Platz, about her plans for this year I didn't have any idea the direction that this story would take. I'd received a tip about Platz, who is a veterinarian and adult amateur, and was told that she and her horse shared an interesting history that could make for a compelling interview. So with only that limited information, I decided to give Platz a call. She eagerly answered the phone, and within a few short minutes the lifelong equestrian had me entirely engrossed in the story of her Grand Prix wonder-horse, Fynn ..read more

Johann Hinnemann is arguably one of the most respected names in dressage, so when an opportunity to attend the 2018 USDF Trainer's Conference presented itself, I didn't hesitate to sign up. Johann's diverse and decorated background includes acting as coach for several national teams, earning the title of Reitmeister (Master Rider), and being the guiding force behind many of today's top competitive riders including Steffen Peters, Christine Traurig, and Kathleen Raine. Over the course of two days, Johann utilized his experience as an instructor to demonstrate how to bring a horse up through the ..read more

If you attend any dressage shows in the Virginia area, you’re likely to have noticed Grand Prix trainer Bruno Greber, and you’re also likely to have noticed two of the amazing dressage horses he rides, Quno and Wescott. Many would be surprised to learn the secret behind these two talented equines - they aren’t “just” dressage horses, in fact dressage is simply a way to help them improve in their “real” jobs - as vaulting horses! (Barbara Greber on Quno) The story goes back several years to when Bruno was approached by Shawn Ricci who had become interested in vaulting and wanted to improve his ..read more

To know a large horse, either big or tall (or both!) is to love one. While these enormous equines win us over with their equally massive hearts, one can't help but notice that our favorite four legged giants, no matter how gentle, come with their own unique set of challenges. There's a few rules that equestrians should keep in mind when dealing with (larger) large animals, so below we've included a brief set of expectations. Here's a guide for navigating large horse territory: 1. So how do you know you have a big horse? If the shoe fits, literally. When the farrier bills you for a draft horse ..read more

It's been just over twenty years since the PRE made its Olympic dressage debut on the Spanish team in 1996. However, since the dressage world first took notice of this compelling horse, the breed has undergone an enormous evolution that has thrust it from the sidelines into the spotlight. America has embraced Spain's beloved horse, becoming a springboard for the breed's growth as the second largest home of PREs in the world. The USPRE association drives an active community of PRE enthusiasts, promoting the breed through tireless dedication which culminates during their annual USPRE Week in Wel ..read more

Injuries are to horses like barn flies are to summer. They happen. And rehab is not for the faint of heart. Riders like us work hard to fund this mad passion we have for our horses and our sport, but often these fragile athletes have a plan of their own. Even a seemingly minor injury can wipe out an entire show season, erasing a year's worth of work and gutting us to the core. It takes a lot of angst, sweat, and tears to bring an injured horse back to sound, healthy, and happy work. And yes we know that having a laid up pony is a first world problem - but trust us, that doesn't make it an easi ..read more

They say strong leaders are often good listeners, and according to international competitor and Wellington-based trainer, Nicholas Fyffe, a quiet rider lends the best "ear" to equine partners. After all, dressage is in many respects, a conversation between horse and rider. To sit quietly not only allows a horse to perform its job uninhibited, but also permits riders to "hear" a horse's reaction to the aids. Much like a telephone line, a rider's actions determine the quality of the connection - whether it is clear - or in other cases, muffled. (Nicholas Fyffe. Photo by Annan Hepner) Fyffe beli ..read more

There's an undeniable allure to breeding and developing your horse, one that often instills a sense of pride perhaps akin to parenting. For many dressage enthusiasts, having a hand in producing beautiful, quality dressage horses is not only a business, hobby, or interest, it's a chance to create a legacy and leave mark on the dressage world. For Adventure Farm's breeder and trainer, David Wightman, he can't think of a better way to leave his fingerprint, than through a horse. (David Wightman on homebred horse, Hotshot AF) Coming up on January 21st, Wightman will be speaking at the California ..read more