Dressage Foundation for All Riding Disciplines
Course Description
This course is designed to help you understand the biomechanics and structural balancing of a horse’s movements. Once that understanding is achieved, then applied, the student and horse can focus on the basic dressage exercises which lead to advanced performances.
The student learns to move the horse’s body correctly and efficiently so that gaits and muscular conformation are improved. Instructor Tammy Fifer, a 20-year-veteran of dressage competition teaches “Classical Dressage”, first teaching the student to “observe” then practice. Her easy-to-understand teaching style assures when it comes to dressage, you can do it!
Course Outline
I. Introduction
A. Explanation of Terms and Phrases
B. Glossary
C. Questions
D. Tasks
II. Laying the Groundwork
A. Learning to Look at Your Horse
1. Identify Problems
2. Identify Strong Points
B. Checking Tack Fit and Appropriateness
C. Questions
D. Tasks
III. In-hand Work
A. Moving the Horse's Body
B. Moving Parts of the Horse's Body
C. Loosening and Strengthening
1. Chain of Muscles
D. Questions
E. Tasks
IV. Lunging & Lunge-Lining
A. Get Him Going
B. Show and Tell
C. Speed, Relaxation, Rhythm
D. Ground Poles & Cones
E. Questions
F. Tasks
V. Rider's Seat
A. Balance in Your Seat
1. Hips
2. Seat Bones
3. Legs
B. Balance in Your Upper Body
1. Torso
2. Chest & Arms
3. Head
C. Hands
D. Questions
E. Tasks
VI. Horse and Rider Exercises
A. Doubles & U-turns
B. Corners & Squares
1. Turn-on-Forehand Under Saddle
C. Circles and Spirals
D. Figure Eights
E. Questions
F. Tasks
VII. Lengthening & Collection
A. Questions
B. Task
VIII. Lateral work
A. Simple Leg Yield
B. Counter Bend on Circle
C. Half-Pass
D. Questions
E. Tasks
IX. Arena craft
A. Know Your Geometry
1. Circles & Squares
B. The L E T T E R S
C. Important Strategies
D. The Test and Scoring
E. Questions
F. Tasks