For as long as I can remember I have worshipped horses. One of my earliest memories is of cantering my imaginary horse around a field while my mother had her riding lesson. I was four years old.   I have lived and breathed horses my whole life. They are my sanctuary in a sometimes noisy and …

There has been much news recently about Moorland’s Totilas who is now being ridden by Matthias Alexander Rath, facing a future subjected to the training “guidance” of Sjef Janssen – the strong proponent of Rollkur, or Hyperflexion. I am happy to see that the German Federation of Professional Riders (BBR) is strongly voicing their opposition …

Every single one of us needs to be nurtured by an inspirational equestrian from time to time. Riding horses, whether you are conscious of it or not, is an art form – and like all artists there is something to be said for inspiration in order for us to be at our best. In our …

Once upon a time ago, the difference between Classical and Competitive Dressage seemed synonymous with the distance between the walls of the Grand Canyon (which happens to be up to 18 miles wide!). Whether it is merely my perception, or the reality, which has changed I have yet to determine. Nonetheless there is still a …

Project Horse #2 – welcome to the introduction. Aligarh is quite the lovely gelding, both in appearance and personality. Foaled in 2004, he is sired by the Dutch Warmblood stallion VDL Orame, who has been successfully competing on the international scene in Show Jumping. Aligarh’s dam is a Bashkir Curly mare of Native American bloodlines. …

Even underweight and sprouting a dull coat in preparation for winter she garners the attention and appreciation from fellow horsemen. Lit De World On Fire may not have impressed racing aficionados but off the track she manages to sparkle and gleam. Welcome to career number two. As I mentioned previously, she doesn’t yet have a …

The word Dressage can be translated from French to mean “training” and although it has lost some of its credibility thanks to competition, the original intentions are invaluable. Even if you strictly ride western and loath the sight of any english discipline you can benefit from incorporating the fundamentals of Dressage into your riding and …

Is this a new wave of me being positively impressed upon by equestrians? It must be my lucky month because I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a fantastic horsewoman just before September rolled in and now I can count my lucky stars and say that Manolo Mendez may also have won a place in my …

A two-part special has recently been published online highlighting the skills of Master horseman Luis Valenca Rodrigues that I’d like to share with my readers. If you are unfamiliar don’t feel terrible, he is in Portugal and as is unfortunately the common case has not reached the recognizability of other Masters yet who reached their …

Because equestrians are protesting hyperflexion through means which do not motivate abusers to change – i.e. silent protests at competitions, speaking out through niche internet, signing of petitions, etc. Hyperflexion is money motivated and those who are making the most money are using the technique. Riders who are impressed by abusers are willing to move …