Here is a simple exercise for everyone as long as you have started asking your horse for simple bends (including those doing Grand Prix). At all gaits and with no fuss, using an easy inside rein that does NOT go toward the horse’s withers (an indirect rein), can you bend him a little left for…
I taught my first lessons in a month recently and the lesson I found myself repeating often, and I hear other instructors repeating a lot, is the importance of the outside rein. This is a huge subject, but in brief… The concept of inside leg to outside rein is mega important. BUT that doesn’t mean…
Straightness – A Challenge Practically every horse has a natural asymmetry. Eliminating this asymmetry and thus straightening the horse is a central task of basic training. Every rider must realize there is no such thing as an “absolutely” straight horse. This means that all riders, regardless of discipline or level, must rise daily to the…
Photo credit: Harry Furey. This suggestion is for those riding and those who are not able to ride. I find it surprising how often I have to teach riders how to shorten their reins. Seems easy, right? First of all, normally one should not shorten the reins by dropping and grabbing the rein with the…
Meghan Benge Photography. If you have your boots at home, check these things out. Look at the wear on the inside of your boots. Are both boots the same? Is the wear on the inside or does the wear go into the seam on the back, which tells you that you probably ride with your…
Thank you, D4K family, for being patient concerning our upcoming activities. We will keep you posted as decisions are made. In the meantime, stay well and let’s all help each other get through this challenging time. We have already cancelled the first three TEAM clinics of 2020. I know we must be careful keeping each…
To be eligible for the scholarship award, applicants must have participated in a Dressage4Kids program. The Children of the Americas Dressage Invitational includes 2 days of training followed by 2 days of competition for children ages 12-14 from Canada, the United States, Mexico, South America, and Central America. Riders compete in the FEI Children’s Preliminary…
Saturday, October 13th from 5:30-9:30pm Dressage4Kids is celebrating its 20th anniversary and we would like to invite you to join us in celebration! Over the past twenty years, Dressage4Kids has touched the lives of thousands of dressage enthusiasts who have developed into our present international competitors, professionals, and lovers of horses. The party will take…
Lendon Gray with her Dressage4Kids students at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. Saugerties, NY (August 22, 2016) – Since 1999, riders ages four through 21 have gathered to compete in the multi-faceted competition of the Youth Dressage Festival, the flagship of Lendon Gray’s non-profit organization Dressage4Kids. The Youth Dressage Festival furthers Dressage4Kids’ mission of crafting…
Alexa Derr partners with Versace N, donated to her by Everglades Dressage through Dressage4Kids (photo courtesy of Alexa Derr). Reinholds, Pennsylvania (March 19, 2015) – “As a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, we are able to accept horse donations which we then match to a home with one of our riders,” said U.S. Olympic Dressage veteran Lendon…
