Showing VS Schooling - How To School Your Dressage Horse During Show Season

He just talks too much.

It is great to see a trainer correcting the riders position. Too often trainers just concentrate on the horse.

I see now what my coach wants ' me" to strive towards.. sit tall sit proud long leg toes forward and in wrap the leg...heels lower than the toes shoulder back etc etc etc.. thank you for this demonstration....it's easier to see it and hear what to strive towards.

I thought this was great. I like his teaching style, and I like that the rider isn't an expert; she's making the same mistakes as everyone else, and it's good to hear how he fixes them.

I love my instructor but sometimes I feel like I get more out of a lesson when I hear the things I’m doing wrong as opposed to the things I’m doing right. Love his teaching style!

Amazing horse. So calm and patient. Great job.

Stirrups are a tad long , heels would stay down better and not jab with the spur constantly. Nice combo though

She needs to shorten her stirrups, now she has to flex her calves to get the right position in the stirrup. For a right leg position you need to be able to relax your leg. You need to be able to freely move your ankles, because if you ‘lock’ one joint, you restrict movement for all of them.
He has an interesting style.. I know it wouldn’t quite work for me, It sometimes feels a bit condescending.
Lovely combination by the way. She presents him nicely.

The challenge is NOT TO RUSH. There is so much focus on showing and not strengthening the horse to do the hard work required in the show ring. This is why we see more Rollkur. It's an artificial rise to the upper levels. It has become more about the money and popularity instead of riding Dressage in classic style, taking time with the horse, a true relationship. The relationships that we take the time to develop are those that are the strongest and last the longest.

Stirrups are too long

God damn this is a good lesson. First off, that schoolmaster is a saint. And that's not a comment on the rider, he's just so willing and sweet. Second, Dover is a God. To those saying he talks too much or he's too positive: this is the difference between an instructor and a coach. He's clearly giving her what she NEEDS based on what he was told at the beginning of the clinic. Confidence is such a struggle for many riders and the fact that he doesn't cut people down is wonderful. Thanks DH, this is QUALITY content.