A to C Dressage Training

16/09/2026

You do not always have to use an arena to school your horse.

Though first I would say that you should consider the ground if you intend to do any faster work. I like to school in the field and use serpentines going up and down the hills in walk. Its great for building a strong hind leg and creating better balance.

Its an interesting environment and prevents the horse being a little bored of the school.

15/09/2026

Wow..this never happens. A space in my diary!

14/09/2026

Adapt and Adjust

This is a key factor in being successful as a rider and horse owner. It fits with the changes of season too when we have to adjust and adapt.

I have been lucky enough to have owned both of my horses right up to their senior ages. Tango was 31 years of age when I lost him to colic but was completely sound and healthy to the day he died. I now face the ageing process again with Dessie who is now 20 years old.

The important thing is to be able to adapt to the horse that is in front of you. Seven years ago I could do longer hacks and take lessons regularly, we even went out competing and won our classes but now things must change.

The routine I used to have for Dessi is no longer appropriate. I have gone from riding six days a week with one day off to exercising no more than three days in a row with possibly one or two days off and this seems to be going well.

I have had to look at her diet carefully and as a horse with EMS and being Spanish this will always be a challenge but at the moment I seems to have that in place too.

So my advice to you.

1. Keep watching the horse in front of you.
2. Write notes in your diary of changes - its useful to look back on.
3. What is working - what is not?
4. Be able to take professional advice if you have a "feeling" about something.
5. Make gradual changes but be prepared to adapt.
6. Be grateful for the time you have and try not to mourn what you no longer can do.

13/09/2026

The Four Week Progress Plan is for any rider who wants to learn more, progress further and improve the partnership with their horse.

09/09/2026

Keeping the fun in training!!

Its really important for our horses and also as riders to have fun in training. It makes it much more enjoyable.

Using poles on the floor is very beneficial for the horses movement and way of going and also for the rider to be accurate. However the biggest comment I usually hear from riders after delivering a pole work session is "that was fun" and isnt that the point really?

What do you do to have fun with your horses??

08/09/2026

Some good news!

I have great news for you if you missed the opportunity to join my Four Week Progress Plan in August and subsequently the Step up to your Success in September Programme too. I know! I get it August and September can be so busy with holidays and then preparation for new schools and just getting back into routine can be quite exhausting!...

I have great news for you if you missed the opportunity to join my Four Week Progress Plan in August and subsequently the Step up to your Success in September Programme too. I know! I get it August…

08/09/2026

So did this Summer leave you spinning around in circles??

Are you still going in the school and ten minutes later not sure what you are supposed to do next?

This is where having a simple training system can really help - imagine the difference....

At the beginning of the week you have already mapped out when you are going to ride, the time you have available and made sure your horse will get plenty of variety, between hacking, schooling, pole work or any other activity.

Your schooling sessions are planned and you know exactly what you are going to work on.

Now realistically the plan might not always work out as you imagine but you will know how to reflect on the session, review your plan and set up your next session. This is where the magic of motivation happens.

Knowing what you are doing and achieving it gives you confidence and momentum to keep going. Understanding that not all plans work out and how to realign and recover are really important skills.

This is what you will learn to do with The Four Week Progress Plan. Consider it a gentle nudge in the right direction with support along the way! Sound good? If you want to know more please leave me the words Progress Plan under this post and I will contact you.

07/09/2026

How are you doing??

We talk a lot about our horses health and probably if we were truthful most of our horses have better health care than we give ourselves!!

I mean when did you last buy a new pair of shoes costing over £70 and have a massage too!! Well maybe you have and good for you if that is true.

However I do make sure that I keep fit and healthy for the sake of my horse. Its important as we get older too to stay fit and mobile.

Many riders especially at the riding schools ask me what else they can do to improve their riding between lessons and I believe this is a good thing to think about.

I would bring this down to a simple NHS

Nutrition
Hydration
Sleep

I think if we looked at these three key areas as a starter we could be helping our horses a lot and seeing ourselves as more of an athlete.

What do you do "off the horse" to help your time "on the horse"?

04/09/2026

What help do you really need right now?

Do you get in the arena and after five minutes cant think what to do?
Are your circles still a bit pair shaped?
Is there something you and your horse are just not getting?

There might be other things that you really would like help with and so let me just let you know what I do - and maybe that might be something you need?

What I offer

Here’s a full picture of everything I can help you with:

• Riding lessons — one-to-one instruction tailored to your level
• Dressage training — from foundation flatwork to performance refinement
• Pole work — exercises to improve rhythm, suppleness and straightness
• Video & performance analysis — if you are a visual learner this is for you!
• Goal setting sessions — available online or in person
• Competition companionship — I’ll be with you all day to support you.
• Competition mentoring — help with preparation, mindset and planning
• Support between lessons — I’m always at the end of a phone or text

I am with you every step of the way. If you need my help just say yes below and I will contact you.