Leading Edge Dressage

10/18/2025

He could be yours. Let’s talk…

10/16/2025

10/11/2025

❤️yes!

Straight doesn't just mean straight...

Just another bit of dressage terminology that can be misinterpreted due to its literal meaning. 😅

Illustration created and copyrighted by How To Dressage.

10/07/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1A1ZoqfQDr/?mibextid=wwXIfr

10/06/2025

Fully agree with this!!

Judging is a cornerstone of our sport, grounded in responsibility, trust, and a genuine hope to see good riding.

Looking for more insights on what happens in the judges’ booth? Explore ushja.org/education/resources for articles and webinars that offer clarity and transparency on how judging works!

10/03/2025

Weaning has been accomplished, and Eddie is waiting to be someone's Rock Star! American made and No tariff!

🌟 First Premium KWPN-NA C**t by Gaudi – Dressage Royalty in the Making 🌟

Offered for your consideration: a 2025 KWPN-NA weanling c**t of exceptional quality, awarded First Premium at his keuring for superior conformation, movement, and type.

Sired by Gaudi (Totilas x De Niro), this c**t carries the legacy of two of the most influential stallions in modern dressage. His dam is a daughter of Negro—sire of Olympic legend Valegro—and granddaughter of Fred Astaire, adding elegance, elasticity, and proven performance to his pedigree.

🧬 Pedigree Highlights:

Sire: Gaudi – Totilas x De Niro

Dam: Negro x Fred Astaire

💫 Why He Stands Out:

Balanced, uphill conformation with expressive movement

Friendly, intelligent temperament with a trainable mind

Registered KWPN-NA with full papers. microchipped.

🌟 Proven Power of the Negro Dam Line: This c**t shares maternal lineage with two of today's most celebrated stallions:

Glamourdale – 2022 Double Gold Medalist at the FEI World Championships and 2024 Olympic Bronze Medalist, out of a Negro mare

Everdale – Olympic and European Championship medalist, also out of a Negro mare

Negro's daughters consistently produce elite athletes, and this c**t is no exception—bred to shine in the FEI arena or elevate a top-tier breeding program.

📍Located in N VA | Serious inquiries only 📩 Contact [email protected] for video, price, and more details or text 206-914-2794 to schedule a time to meet this outstanding foal
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10/03/2025

Proudly offered to a great home!

Carrots reduced due to findings in imaging that in no way have affected this big beautiful gelding.

Exceptional 17.2h Hanoverian Gelding – Ideal for Dressage, Jumping or Eventing 🌟

We are pleased to present a gorgeous 5-year-old Hanoverian gelding, registered with the American Hanoverian Society. Standing at an impressive 17.2 hands, this gelding boasts an illustrious pedigree, being sired by the renowned Liberty Gold and out of a mare by Aragorn. His lineage includes the legendary Secretariat, contributing to his remarkable conformation and athleticism.

Currently advancing in First Level dressage, he demonstrates natural balance, fluid gaits, and a cooperative temperament, making him an excellent candidate for both competitive and amateur riders. He has schooled over jumps and really shows great potential. He is very brave and with great form.

Light likes to hack out, we are usually in a group as he is young and we are still building confidence. He has hauled to a few local shows, and the judges love him. He has beautiful feet and is happy barefoot. Light was started here at Leading Edge Dressage and brought along slowly. As he is a rather large horse, we have not pushed him to allow for proper growth and strength. He has quite a presence and gets attention wherever he goes. Not suited for a beginner as he is still young, would do best in a program.

Key Details:

Age: 5 years
Height: 17.2 hands
Breed: Hanoverian
Registry: American Hanoverian Society
Training: Schooling First Level Dressage
Potential: Jumping Prospect
Experience: Trail Riding & a little showing
Sire: Liberty Gold
Damsire: Aragorn
This gelding is an exceptional opportunity for those seeking a talented dressage partner, a promising jumper, or a versatile all-around athlete. For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact: lisa@leadingedgedressage or text to set up a time to see him. 206-914-2794

10/03/2025

Some inspiration for your Friday!

Crooked Spine, Linear Progress 🥇

"We finally discovered that he had scoliosis - and a host of other small injuries to his neck - after I had owned him for almost two years. 'This isn’t going to be a riding horse,' the vet told me. I shrugged and said, 'Well, he’s a bay gelding who doesn’t stand well in a stall, so I hope that he can at least do something for me.'"

We are closing out our celebration of Arabians on YourDressage! Here, a rider from Region 6 tells us about her unlikely Grand Prix partner - a quirky Arabian gelding with scoliosis.

📸 Equine Photography by Suzanne, Inc.
🔗 https://wp.me/padgUY-oFv

09/27/2025

So on point!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16oNcuSYz6/?mibextid=wwXIfr

WHEN SHOPPING FOR A HORSE

I remember many years ago asking my friend Walt, advice about buying a horse to avoid as many pitfalls as possible.

“Well matey, buyin’ a horse ain't like buying a pair o’ boots — it’s more like choosin’ a partner for a long, slow dance. You ain’t just buyin’ flesh and bone, you’re takin’ on years of someone else’s choices, good or bad. So before you part with ya cash, ya better open your ears and eyes. Here’s the kind of questions ya might think about askin — not as a checklist, but as a way to listen better:

First, ask yourself what are ya looking for:

* Why do I want this horse? Is it for companionship, riding, competing, healing, or proving something?
* What am I ready to offer — time, patience, education, care
* What do I feel when I’m around the horse? Is there softness, or trouble under the surface?

Then ask the owner (with a listening ear) about….

History
* Why ya sellin him?
* What’s this horse’s story? How’d you two come together?
* Has he had many owners before you?
* What’s he bin used for mostly — trail, paddock, sport, or just a mate?

Health & Care
* Any past injuries or illnesses worth knowin’?
* Up to date on teeth, feet, vaccines, and worming?
* How’s he do with the farrier, dentist, needles, or being rugged?

Handling & Temperament
* How’s he handle bein’ caught in a big paddock?
* What’s he like in new places - calm, spooky, or somewhere in between?

Training & Experience
* Who trained him, and how?
* What does he know?
* What doesn’t he know best?
* What does he struggle with?

Travel & Change
* How’s he load and travel?
* How’s he handle it when ya take him some place?

Partnership
* What kind of rider does he suit?
* What would you want me to know if I were your kid takin’ him home?

Final bit of advice, matey:

Every answer is important if you string ‘em together. Every answer completes a whole story.

And don’t just listen to the words, watch 'em say it. Notice the feel behind their answers. If they dodge a question or “um and ah” an answer, that’s worth more than a hundred clean vet checks.

Don’t forget to ask the horse too. The answer he gives ya might be different to the one the seller gives ya. He might not speak, but he’ll tell ya what you need to know, if you’re listenin’.

Never ride a horse until ya seen the owner or somebody ride ‘em first.

When ya first meet a horse, arrive real early unexpectedly. That way ya can see it being caught and handled. And look for sweat marks.

Make a time for a second visit to see the horse. Arrange to meet somewhere the horse don’t know so you can see how it handles being in strange places. He won’t lie.

When ya close to a decision to buying a horse, take somebody with ya who knows horses. But pick somebody who don't care if ya buy it or not. Let 'em check the horse out. Let 'em check out the owner with the horse. Let 'em check out you with the horse. And listen to what ya friend has to say. That way ya less likely to pick a horse just because it is pretty or comes from a good line or ya can afford it.

Oh, and even a free horse is worth a good vet check.

And lastly matey, while ya might be lookin for the perfect horse, the horse is looking for the perfect owner. Are ya up to the job?”

Thanks Walt.

09/26/2025

USDF Instructor/Trainer Development Program & Dressage Development Seminars 🎓

"The new Dressage Seminars, and the Instructor/Trainer Development Program as a whole, have been invaluable in my journey as a young professional. They have helped me become a more organized and thoughtful instructor, provided clear guidelines and standards to follow, and given me greater confidence in my teaching."

Learn about the revamped Dressage Development Program from one of the people who make it happen, Megan McIsaac of Lindinhof Equine Sports Zentrum, a host of USDF Dressage Development Seminars!

🔗 https://wp.me/padgUY-oCv

09/26/2025

Have been saying this for years! Sometimes it feels like I teach opposite concepts to the norm around here. But maybe it’s just that the level of refinement has not been as clearly discussed. I Love the deep dive conversations into how the common “inside leg to outside rein” direction that instructors have been spouting for years, to students who have no idea what that actually means.
It is, however, rewarding to see so many lightbulbs go on when I am teaching.

09/26/2025