Because of this gelding's show experience he tends to lengthen on the diagonal even when he isn't asked to.  Courtney has the rider use this opportunity to work on his half halts with the energy usually used for the lengthening.  They instead school the lengthenings on the long side, making sure ...

Jan Brink working with Young Rider on Technique

We join Jan Bemelmans in this schooling session already in progress.  They make sure the horse is in front of the leg and that he is supporting with the inside leg in the half pass. They perform a great line of twos and then ones before taking a break with a canter on a long rein.  As he begins h...

We join Jan Bemelmans in this schooling session already in progress.  They make sure the horse is in front of the leg and that he is supporting with the inside leg in the half pass. They perform a great line of twos and then ones before taking a break with a canter on a long rein.  As he begins h...

Colleen demonstrates how turning your toe out can cause different effects depending on the size of rider in relationship to the horse.  As she moves into the trot, she first works at getting him forward and then asks for some connection.  She next checks her balance in the saddle by performing ar...

Lisa Wilcox begins the clinic with a beautiful palomino showing tension in a new environment. She rides and demonstrates how to create a better connection through slow, consistent and patient work.

Improving the Contact with Colonel Christian Carde

Improving the Contact with Colonel Christian Carde

Improving the Contact with Colonel Christian Carde

Improving the Contact with Colonel Christian Carde

Improving the Contact with Colonel Christian Carde

Allison helps the rider with her position, emphasizing how important the little details are. They address how riders are more forward on one side than the other. She explains how she controls the tempo without pulling.

With Allison help they improve their departs and keep a better connection in the canter. She instructs her on stretching in the trot and then returns to the canter departs from that relaxation.

Laura explains her ideal training schedule for young horses. This youngster shows a little spookiness and they work through that gently. Laura emphasizes that the rider needs to get a forward reaction when an aid is applied. She asks that the rider keep him straight and give forward. They help ...

Laura works with the rider to get the horses' belly to the outside rather than worry about what his head and neck are doing. They ask him to stretch with his nose out while keeping some contact and staying straight and he shows more carrying power. Laura explains the half halt and how his body s...

Getting your horse to stretch and reach towards the bit to establish contact. Hilda explains and shows you in a methodical way how this can be achieved. She also discusses roundness and getting the horse to move over its back. This is a good basic video for young horses or green riders.

Part 2: Sandy explains the importance of improving the young mare's balance so she can then come more through and forward, without relying on the riders hand for support. She has the rider work on rein back, and notes the mare is reining back on her mouth and her shoulder. instead of pulling back...

Getting the horse to listen to the aids

Getting the horse to listen to the aids

Getting the horse to listen to the aids

Getting the horse to listen to the aids

Chrissa Hoffmann rides Faustus in this new video. We saw him last year in the video entitled Developing the Changes. She is now showing him in the Prix St. Georges s Developing classes. He is struggling a bit in the pirouettes, but scored 8's on his changes! They begin to warm up in a lovely, ...

Chrissa explains the way she uses her body to perform the shoulder in, haunches in and half pass without holding him. As she does the half pass to the rail, she waits to do the change until she can give on the right rein with a soft neck. She rides multiple changes with soft contact and then go...

Laura watches this pair warm up and encourages them to stretch while keeping the same tempo. In the canter she encourages the rider to follow the motion of the gait with her elbows.  Laura gives a great explanation of what the difference is between contact and connection.