Adrienne helps a Grade IV para rider with a horse she has only ridden one other time. They focus on finding a steady connection first in the walk. They play with adjusting the stride in the walk to influence the horse straightness because he is wiggly instead of going forward into the contact. Th...

They continue to work on connecting the horse to the outside rein through counter flexion. As soon as the horse drops down, it is important for the rider to relax as a reward. The horse can then bend slightly to the inside for straightness and stretch. They do the same thing in canter. Adrienne r...

Grand Prix trainer and instructor Chrissa Hoffmann works with a Grade V Para-Rider, Katie, and her horse, Scrabble, to cement their partnership. Scrabble is trained to Grand Prix, and Katie is moving up the levels and learning from him. Because she is missing her lower right leg, Katie works hard...

Adrienne works with a Grade IV para rider who was the winner of a contest featuring a clinic with Adrienne. As the pair warms up, Adrienne reminds the rider to always be looking up and stretching tall with her upper body. The rider should have an idea of the tempo, establish it in the warmup and ...

After the warmup, they begin to work on the canter. They work on spiraling in and out in the canter to help improve the connection with the inside leg and outside rein. There are moments where she can relax her inside rein and the horse does not change his balance, indicating he is moving honestl...

Para dressage rider Sydney Collier shares her journey with horses”from riding lessons at age seven all the way to the Paralympics. Meet Sydney's top horse, All In One, and learn how the equestrian community has supported their journey.

British dressage trainer Sacha Hamilton introduces us to her Para rider, Emma, and one of her horses while she warms him up for her. She discusses what is needed for a Para horse. Sacha explains what issues both the horse and rider are working on as well as the schooling she does with him between...

Sacha now explains the adaptations that Emma uses when she rides since she has no sensation in her legs. We also get to see how she able to get on her horse, and how special he is to adapt to this process. As the lesson begins, Sacha asks that Emma do walk/trot transitions on a circle to check h...

Emma now works on her test after Sacha sets the ring for 20 by 40. They first school the walk pirouettes, and It's very interesting to see the challenges offered by this movement. The test includes 10 meter trot circles, medium trot, trot halts with a rein back, walk pirouettes, serpentines and...

Sacha Hamilton introduces us to another Para rider, Marie, who is rated a grade III, and explains how her cerebral palsy causes a weakness on her left side as well as a spatial awareness problem. She points out her reins have added loops and she also rides with toe caps on the stirrups. They have...

They now work on shoulder in at the trot, making sure Marie has enough angle. Sacha helps her get the horse more through, asking for her to push him, and they end up with a lovely working trot. She has Marie think about her elbows when improving the contact. After a canter they work on roundness ...

Sacha now works with Marie on the movements in the tests she will be riding the following weekend. Before the second try, Sacha gives her great exercises to help her with keeping him round and through. When the 10-meter circles prove a challenge, they regroup and add a whip to reinforce Marie's r...

Sacha and Marie discuss how the test ride went, and Sacha explains how having the horse going forward creates a better connection. We get to witness her breakthrough when carrying a whip can help with her riding.

At the Oregon Dressage Societies' Fall Festival Janet Foy and Debbie McDonald lead a session with Para Equestrian riders.  Janet begins by discussing Para riding in the US where it is not as well established as in Europe, and the difficulties in funding the Para riders.  She also explains how she...

Debbie McDonald works with the riders on improving their contact.  Nathan rides with one hand and has differing strength between his legs.  Debbie works with him at the walk, using counter flexion and the closing of the leg to increase the contact. They then go to the trot, showing great progress...

Debbie McDonald and Janet Foy lead this session at the Oregon Dressage Societies' Fall Festival with Para Equestrian riders. Janet first has one rider ride the regular Training Level Test 3 which has changed very little. Janet gives commentary and scores on each movement as they are ridden, provi...

Debbie works with the second para rider, continuing the work they began the first day of the ride.  She has him work with a good contact, and keep it even when the horse is fussing.  They show better walk trot and trot walk transitions that are smooth and timely.  In the corners they show bend an...

Natalie Lamping, 1PIII Test

Mr. Assouline explains how they find the paralympic horses and the qualities needed. They talk about how riders come to the paralympics. We also hear of his extensive background in the dressage world, and look forward to having him as an expert on DressageTrainingOnline.com.

Walter Zettl leads us through this training session with Lauren Barwick as they work on creating more response and sensitivity with her horse. He emphasizes an active hind leg and uses trot, almost walk, to trot transitions to create this. The rider is encouraged to do this with a gentle connecti...

Mr. Assouline explains how they find the paralympic horses and the qualities needed. They talk about how riders come to the paralympics. We also hear of his extensive background in the dressage world, and look forward to having him as an expert on DressageTrainingOnline.com.