Dressage and training go hand in hand. In fact, did you know that the word “dressage” comes from the French word “dresseur”, which means training? Dressage is all about working in harmony with your horse to help him improve suppleness, flexibility, obedience and athleticism – and ultimately become more pleasant and responsive to ride.
Dressage training has an important role no matter what level you ride or compete at. As a sport, dressage is about showing off your training in front of a judge – or multiple judges – in an arena, but working on the fundamentals of dressage is key to improving performance and enjoyment in all equestrian disciplines.
Whether you are are looking for advice on achieving the correct canter lead or making the most of corners, or you’re looking for expert tips for nailing flying changes or improving extended trot, we have plenty of helpful features for you.
We also find out what the world’s most successful riders do while schooling their horses at home, so you can gain insight into some of the techniques used by the likes of Olympic gold medallists Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester and Laura Tomlinson.
Father and son dressage supremos Ferdi and Michael Eilberg share some of their performance enhancing secrets — from playing with different angles to knowing when the horse needs a rest
If you're keen to give freestyle a try, take a look at our top tips for getting started
For the dressage element of the H&H/Saracen eventing bursary, dressage rider Spencer Wilton helps Zoe Gould and her seven-year-old ex-racehorse Musical Legend gain more crucial marks in the dressage phase
Corners can be your best friend if you learn to ride them correctly. Follow Sue Carson's simple technique and you'll be cornering like the pros
Sport psychologist Inga Wolframm explains why riders get competition butterflies — and how you can use them to your advantage
H&H's blogger explains the importance of ensuring your horse always moves forward off your leg and updates us on World Cup preparations
See how Saracen/H&H eventing bursary winner Laura Durkan got in during her dressage lesson, plus nutritional advice
Getting an ex-racehorse to settle in the dressage arena can be a challenge whether you're a dressage rider or an eventer. Trainer Natalie Allen shares some of her thoughts on how to achieve this goal
Take a look at dressage judges Isabel Wessels and Andrew Gardner's tips on how eventers can raise their game in the first phase of the competition
Six steps on getting the best freestyle result out of an unconventional dressage horse from the trainer of gypsy cob, Tiger Tim
For one reason or another, every rider has to deal with a spooky horse at some time. Dressage trainer Dan Greenwood offers his tips on getting over the problem whether in a dressage test or while training
If you suspect your horse may be happier in the dressage arena or just want to have a go at another discipline, Essex-based trainer Simone Ward gives us her tips on making the transition
To achieve a personal best is cause for celebration, to achieve two on the same day means your getting something right. Find out how Kayliegh Tupper and her horse Twister achieved this result
If you're trying to maximise your dresssage scores, trainer John Chubb has seven tips that might really help
One way of achieving higher scores in your dressage test is to sharpen up your transitions. Trainer Gemma Appleton showed Helen Phllip from Faringdon in Oxfordshire how to achieve winning results in just 4 months. How did they do it?
Student Susie White has learnt the benefits of still hands and a connection from the hind leg to the rein with winning results
With wall-to-wall warmbloods in most affiliated dressage classes, it’s easy to believe that these uphill, big-moving types have the sport sewn up. But natives can give them a run for their money
With the start of the 2013 competition season being beset with snow, why not trying competing without leaving home?
Flying changes can be a challenge for horse and rider, so Carl Hester explains his philosophy for training this movement
Leading dressage trainer Ian Woodhead shares his training tips for event riders at the International Eventing Forum at Hartpury college
