Need Help: What are your fave dressage books/article/resources?

[JFF]

Greetings,

I am looking for your recommendations for favorite dressage resources. I am an adult rider coming back to the discipline after a 15 year hiatus. I rode dressage as a kid, competed through first level on my undeservedly patient Saddlebred-Arabian cross, and did well enough for the average judge to score a resounding “meh, needs work” after any of my tests. I distinctly remember as an 18 year old thinking I was pretty great and believing I had already learned everything I needed to know about dressage. After declaring victory over all my surroundings, I took twelve years off for college, grad school and babies, and started riding again a few years back. I picked up hunter/jumper at that time, but after a few years of it I miss dressage and it’s strong foundation for building a sound, balanced animal/rider team.

So I am starting to dip my toe into dressage again with a lazy, 17.2 h warmblood who has the head carriage of a giraffe and the grace of a drunken hippopotamus. We are destined for greatness. But to my shock, it turns out I am NOT the dressage-savant-special-snowflake that my supportive mom swore I was as a kid! I’d love to dig into some resources and brush up on topical reading. My immediate access to coaches in this discipline is limited in the area where I live, so while I will work with an excellent coach from time to time, any of the basics I can re-learn myself would be great.

Many thanks for any recommendations you can share.

[outerbanks77]

I enrolled in the Ritter Dressage What, Why How online course a few years ago, and it’s been immensely helpful to me. It does take time and being self-directed to do the exercises and homework, but it has helped me understand theory more than a lot of reading that I did before. I also have a coach who is available intermittently, so this has really helped me get more out of limited lessons, and ensure that we improve and have the ability to trouble shoot when instruction isn’t available. They have an Exercise of the Month club which is a very affordable way to try them out if you don’t want the big commitment. However, once you enroll in the courses like WWH, you get lifetime access, and the materials are adjustable to the level you’re riding at, so you can continue to get value from it as you advance.

ETA: also, I bought a SoloShot camera at the same time and get more value out of the courses by posting videos for feedback, as well as reviewing them myself on a regular basis.

[Jealoushe]

I made a play list on You Tube of the videos I enjoy that have helped me!

[islgrl]

Jane Savoie "Its Not Jut About the Ribbons
Sally Swift “Centered Riding”
Francoise Lemaire de Ruffieu “Divide and Conquer”

[Feathered_Feet]

I will second the Jane Savoie rec - she is also having a bundle sale at the moment, I believe. She gives great, clear explanations for the basics and medium work.

[Mondo]

I will add to the reading list: Common Sense Dressage by Sally O’Connor. She approaches every day work from the standpoint of an amateur working without a trainer. Very detailed and helpful information in there.

[JFF]

These are all great suggestions. Thanks a bunch!

[Gardenhorse]

Dressage Today has some good free articles/videos. They also have a subscription model to get access to more videos, but I haven’t ponied up for that yet. Maybe this winter.

In terms of classics, you can’t go wrong with “The complete training of horse and rider” by Podhajsky

[3horses1]

Lessons, lessons, lessons. I am an avid reader and have tons of the great dressage training books, but you really need eyes on the ground to implement what you are reading. I relied on being “self-taught” from age 20 to 40 and eventually realized if I had been taking lessons all that time ( not like weekly, but at least 1-2 times a month) I would be much further along. Just my two cents worth!

[merrygoround]

"The Principle’s of Riding-Handbook of the German FEI.-“Advanced Techniques Of Riding”-Again the German FEI both available new and used on Amazon. Your instructor Should be able help with any explanations you need.

“The Classical Seat” by Sylvia Loch- again you instructor : can help you explant to your body that whta it thinks is correct, ain’t

And after all that, so you know why those interesting moves are learned and performed.-“The Athletic Development of the Dressage Horse” by de Kunffy