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[RC] DRESSAGE Lessons - Paulastk

When it comes to taking lessons, I too, have felt that dressage instruction 
can be all about the test and not about riding.  I found that you need an 
instructor that knows what you need to achieve and isn't concerned what your 
intentions are about why you are taking the classes.  It's all about obedience 
and 
communication. 
The instructor that I have right now is a very high level dressage rider and 
judge, but he doesn't care what I am doing the rest of the time I ride.  As 
long as I am working on the communication and my pony looks like he is "getting 
it".  He instructs all kinds of riders from  pleasure to eventers and 
dressage testers so he has a open mind about all disciplines.

I take dressage lessons and ride endurance, so what I do when it comes to the 
idea of riding dressage and riding endurance is I use some of the info that 
the dressage lessons teach, i.e. move forward off the leg, lower leg contact, 
getting the horse to listen to the bit and leg... but I can't expect a horse to 
ride in that collection  for 50+ miles.  when all things are going well and 
you are getting the ride you are asking for (boy, thats a loaded statement) 
then you can relax and ride pleasure riding.   BY that I mean minimal leg 
contact 
loose reins light seat.  But when there is some arguement about the speed, 
frame, and balance of the ride or the rider isn't comfortable in the gait that 
the horse is in then its time to have a conversation, with leg and reins about 
that issue.  In other words, make the right things easy and the wrong things 
hard.  When pony is not listening or ignoring the request then collection (the 
hard thing) is employed.  Then we can get back to a nice relaxing ride (easy). 

We all prefer, pony and rider to be relaxed and having a light conversation 
than having a heavy conversation all the time.  Besides, that would be a tough 
thing to ride a dressage test for many miles.  Even the  Dressage Grand Prix 
ride is only about 10 minites.  And thats some conversation!
That's my take on the subject, Hope that helps.

Paula and Roc the hard head.   Eugene says he is very clever. 
Cosmo is good as gold at home and needs to be ridden in a Grand prix test for 
about 5 miles.

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