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 de...
Jan 23, 2024•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 3
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...
Jan 21, 2024•5 min•Season 5Ep. 2
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...
Jan 07, 2024•7 min•Season 5Ep. 1
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 simplifie...
Dec 26, 2023•20 min•Season 4Ep. 44
This Training Buzz is sponsored by Purina . Grand Prix trainer Jackie Kinney works with an amateur rider who gets nervous. She is riding a large, older FEI-level schoolmaster. They start with breathing exercises and the feet out of the stirrups in order to focus on feeling the horse's motion. Breathing with the horse's movement can help both horse and rider relax. Members of Dressage Today OnDemand can watch the full video here . Not a member? Sign up for a free trial with subscription. Enter DT...
Dec 24, 2023•6 min•Season 2Ep. 46
Today’s Training Buzz is sponsored by USRider. Whether you’re headed across the country or just down the road, you could be traveling with the peace of mind knowing you and your horse are protected by USRider’s 24/7 roadside assistance coverage. From lockouts and jumpstarts to towing and stabling/veterinarian/farrier referrals, USRider ensures a breakdown won’t leave you stranded — join today and save 15% with the code USRDT at USRider.org . Charlotte Bredahl-Baker is an Olympic dressage tea...
Dec 10, 2023•10 min•Season 2Ep. 45
Welcome to the Dressage Today podcast sponsored by Equithrive . Stephanie and Aviva talk about the latest happenings in the dressage world, and Aviva answers an “Ask the L” question about explaining the purpose of the level that is at the beginning of each test. Together they interview Julio Mendoza Loor who recently won the individual gold at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile. It was a fun conversation with the ever-enthusiastic rider who competed for Equador. Growing up in South Americ...
Nov 28, 2023•43 min•Season 4Ep. 43
Today’s Training Buzz is sponsored by Purina . The PhD Equine Nutritionists at Purina Animal Nutrition tackle problems using science. And their love of horses keeps them at it until they get it right. Even with the most established feeds, they keep innovating. Even when it takes years of research, they don’t stop until it’s right. They are dedicated to the scientific method, but it can’t capture the feeling of seeing a horse reach their full potential. It takes science and love to help your hors...
Nov 26, 2023•8 min•Season 2Ep. 44
Today’s Training Buzz features Isabelle von Neumann-Cosel. She is the sister of well-known U.S. dressage rider Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel and the cousin of Susanne von Dietze, columnist for Practical Horseman . Isabelle works as a journalist, author, dressage rider and trainer with a special interest in biomechanics, seat position and the functioning of the aids for riders at every level. In this clip, Isabelle discusses proper contact and how a lack of positive tension will create boredom or i...
Nov 12, 2023•9 min•Season 2Ep. 43
Today’s Training Buzz is sponsored by US Rider and features Jan Brink. Swedish equestrian Jan Brink has participated in three Olympic games. In this clip from a clinic ride, he first talks about the uniqueness of the Spanish and Portuguese breeds. Then he discusses the three mental zones of horses: 1. comfort zone 2. stretch zone 3. panic zone. He also explains how these mental zones come into play when training the horse. Member of Dressage Today OnDemand can watch the entire video here . Not a...
Oct 29, 2023•9 min•Season 2Ep. 42
Welcome to the Dressage Today podcast sponsored by Equithrive . Stephanie and Avival talk about how horses keep us grounded no matter what else is happening. Then Aviva answers an “Ask the L” question about a tense, forward-thinking horse. “Is it better to ride the correct tempo which causes tension or ride slightly below the tempo but keep the relaxation and harmony?” Stephanie talks to Emily Donaldson, a successful Grand Prix level trainer. Donaldson grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and sta...
Oct 24, 2023•53 min•Season 4Ep. 42
Today’s Training Buzz is sponsored by Cosequin. Cosequin® ASU Joint & Hoof Pellets contain quality ingredients to support joint and hoof health and leave out the fillers molasses and alfalfa — all while delivering the taste horses love. The colors of their ingredients shine through for a difference you can see. Visit cosequinequine.com to learn more. This Training Buzz episode is a little bit different. We are bringing you a preview of training tips provided by Matt McLaughin that will be po...
Oct 15, 2023•6 min•Season 2Ep. 41
Today’s Training Buzz is sponsored by Purina . The PhD Equine Nutritionists at Purina Animal Nutrition tackle problems using science. And their love of horses keeps them at it until they get it right. Even with the most established feeds, they keep innovating. Even when it takes years of research, they don’t stop until it’s right. They are dedicated to the scientific method, but it can’t capture the feeling of seeing horses reach their full potential. It takes science and love to help your horse...
Oct 01, 2023•6 min•Season 2Ep. 40
Welcome to the Dressage Today podcast sponsored by US Rider . In this episode, Stephanie and Aviva talk about some of the great things Aviva is doing for Dressage Today OnDemand . They recorded audio of Aviva reading the movements and directives of all the Intro through Fourth level tests. Member of Dressage Today OnDemand can go to the 2023 On the Levels test video and download the corresponding audio file. Then they can listen to it anytime to help learn the test. They are also working on a ne...
Sep 26, 2023•46 min•Season 4Ep. 41
Today’s Training Buzz is sponsored by US Rider . This clip features Olympic team dressage bronze medalist Debbie McDonald, who has been part of high performance, international dressage as a rider, trainer and coach for decades. In this clip from a clinic ride, a young rider and schoolmaster gelding are given a great reminder of making sure the horse is sensitive and responsive. They work on suppleness and straightness, and Debbie give an excellent explanation of correcting the outside shoulder a...
Sep 17, 2023•8 min•Season 2Ep. 39
Today we hear from Jody Hartstone, a Grand Prix rider and practitioner of equitation science based in New Zealand. She is an expert in retraining offtrack thoroughbreds as dressage and riding horses. In this segment, she talks about what to look for in an ex-racehorse and some of the pitfalls and issues you may face in the retraining process. 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...
Sep 03, 2023•6 min•Season 2Ep. 38
Welcome to the Dressage Today Podcast . This special bonus episode, sponsored by Cosequin , is with 2023 Neue Schule/USEF Grand Prix National Champion, Codi Harrison . Codi sat down to chat with guest host Julia Buitenhuis at the 2023 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions after winning both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special aboard her 16-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding, Katholt’s Bossco. Just 27-years-old, this young star then went on to place third in the Grand Prix Freestyle, effectively s...
Aug 31, 2023•34 min•Season 4Ep. 40
Welcome to the Dressage Today podcast sponsored by US Rider . In this episode, Stephanie talks about her recent trip to San Diego, and Aviva answers an “Ask the L” question. Linda says, “My horse sometimes tilts his head to the right especially in leg yield. He’s had his teeth checked, and there does not seem to be anything physically wrong with him. How will this affect our score?” Then Stephanie talks to legendary Quarter Horse trainer Lynn Palm. For more than 50 years Lynn Palm has championed...
Aug 22, 2023•56 min•Season 4Ep. 39
Today’s clip comes from a clinic with Olympic team bronze medalist Allison Brock. She works with a rider on a sensitive mare to help keep the horse walking forward in quarter turns on a square before schooling the walk pirouette. Members of Dressage Today OnDemand can watch the full video here . Not a member? Sign up for a free 10-day trial with subscription. Enter DTPODCAST at checkout to save 15%. Website: https://dressagetoday.com Video Subscription Site: https://ondemand.dressagetoday.com/ca...
Aug 20, 2023•8 min•Season 2Ep. 37
This podcast is sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition, with three research-backed ration balancers to fill nutritional gaps in your horse's diet. Enrich Plus delivers a concentrated source of protein, vitamins and minerals without unnecessary calories. Enrich Plus Senior features ActivAge Prebiotic Technology and Outlast Supplement for aging easy-keepers. Omega Match is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E, great for horses without access to green grass. Find a ration balancer for your horse...
Aug 06, 2023•8 min•Season 2Ep. 36
Welcome to the Dressage Today Podcast. Aviva and Stephanie talk about dealing with horses in the heat and poor air quality. Aviva answers this "Ask the L" question. Does it matter what posting diagonal you are on during a test? And when trotting across the diagonal in the arena, where is the best place to change your posting diagonal? Then Stephanie talks with Mimi Stanley, a USDF Gold medalist based in Bismarck, North Dakota who has ridden many Arabians and Half-Arabians in dressage. Mimi, alon...
Jul 25, 2023•46 min•Season 4Ep. 38
According to Charles de Kunffy, classical horsemanship is based on the idea to develop a horse in a partnership that enhances his performance to the maximum of his inborn talents, totally painlessly and without emotional trauma and fear or physical pain or discomfort. As a result, it's completely horse oriented. Hear just a fraction of his theories and teachings in this clip from a lecture he gave during a clinic at JJ Tate’s Blue Ridge Farm. Members of Dressage Today OnDemand can watch the full...
Jul 23, 2023•10 min•Season 2Ep. 35
This episode is an excerpt from the 2014 FarmVet/USDF Complete Adult Clinic featuring retired FEI 5* judge Lilo Fore. The horse and rider combination she works with here is at Training Level. The focus of this ride is on creating responsiveness in the horse. They work on remaining forward even in the down transitions. Members of Dressage Today OnDemand can watch the full video here . Not a member? Sign up for a free 10-day trial with subscription. Enter DTPODCAST at checkout to save 15%. Website...
Jul 09, 2023•8 min•Season 2Ep. 34
Welcome to the Dressage Today podcast sponsored by Spalding Labs . In this episode’s Ask the L, Aviva talks about how to correctly excuse yourself from a class when everything goes wrong. Then Stephanie and Aviva together interview Australian Helen Fletcher with Equipoise Pilates for Equestrians. In 2013, Fletcher wrote an article for Dressage Today, and now she has a video series on Dressage Today OnDemand . Fletcher is a Pilates Alliance Australasia Professional Principal Instructor, with 30 y...
Jun 27, 2023•51 min•Season 4Ep. 37
This Training Buzz is sponsored by Saddlery Brands International . Have you heard about Bates Saddles’ exciting NEW dressage saddle the Bates Isabell Icon? Combining over 35 years of competition experience and 90 years of saddle innovation, the Bates Isabell Icon stands alone in high-performance dressage, as truly state of the art. Your journey begins here. Watch the personal video with Isabell Werth at batessaddles.com . Today’s episode features Canadian Olympian David Marcus of Marcus Fyffe Dr...
Jun 25, 2023•9 min•Season 2Ep. 33
This Training Buzz is sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition , with three research-backed ration balancers to fill nutritional gaps in your horse's diet. Enrich Plus delivers a concentrated source of protein, vitamins and minerals without unnecessary calories. Enrich Plus Senior features ActivAge Prebiotic Technology and Outlast Supplement for aging easy-keepers. Omega Match is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E, great for horses without access to green grass. Find a ration balancer for you...
Jun 11, 2023•6 min•Season 2Ep. 32
Today’s Training Buzz is with Susanne von Dietze who was born in Germany and currently resides in Israel. She is a leader in equestrian biomechanics. An author, physiotherapist, licensed Trainer A instructor and judge for dressage and show jumping, she gives lectures and seminars throughout the world. Von Dietze is a long-time columnist first for Dressage Today and now for Practical Horseman. In this segment, she leads us through unmounted exercises to warm up the legs and hips before riding. Me...
May 28, 2023•11 min•Season 2Ep. 31
Welcome to this month’s edition of the Dressage Today podcast sponsored by Saddlery Brands. Today we’ll be talking to. Listen first to disappointing news Aviva has to share about her horse Leo. Next, Aviva shares advice for those wanting to try scribing for the first time. It may seem like an intimidating role, but it is one of the best ways to learn more about showing and the dressage tests. Then, Stephanie and Aviva interview another trainer who has done well with an alternative breed. Cathy E...
May 23, 2023•45 min•Season 4Ep. 36
This Training Buzz is sponsored by Cosequin®. Cosequin® ASU Joint & Hoof Pellets contain quality ingredients to support joint and hoof health and leave out the fillers molasses and alfalfa — all while delivering the taste horses love. The colors of our ingredients shine through for a difference you can see. Visit cosequinequine.com. Today we hear from Olivia Lagoy-Weltz. To begin the ride on her 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, Olivia spends a long time walking and stretching. To get proper ...
May 14, 2023•9 min•Season 2Ep. 30
Welcome to a new Training Buzz. Today we hear from Germany Olympian Dorothee Schneider. Her first U.S. teaching engagement came at the 2019 New England Dressage Association’s symposium. Throughout the two days, she coached 10 horse-and-rider combinations and shared her training philosophy—one that has helped her become the success she is today. She also took questions from the audience. Here she answers two of them. Question 1: What is the most difficult movement to ride or to teach? Question 2:...
Apr 30, 2023•6 min•Season 2Ep. 29
