Revelation Farm

04/07/2025

Happy monday!

04/06/2025

** 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗗 𝗢𝗡 𝗗𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗟𝗘𝗦**

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗥𝗘𝗜𝗡 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗣𝗜𝗘𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗔 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗙𝗙𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗟𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗔 𝗗𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗟𝗘

𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗞𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗲-𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲, 𝗛𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘆𝘁𝗼𝗻, 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀, 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗿, 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘆

Open Access (read without subscription): https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/7/1058


We believe this is the first study to quantify rein forces and bridle pressures in high-level horses (PSG and above) when wearing a double bridle compared with a snaffle, a significant step forward in advancing our understanding of the use and application of a double bridle.

We appreciate that this is a polarised topic, with many opinions and thoughts on the use and application of a double bridle. Two previous studies have reported the possible effects of a double bridle, but these studies used naïve horses and/or could not differentiate whether the observed effects were due to the double bridle or other factors like a noseband, therefore, the current study adds to the knowledge base. As with all our research, we aim to deliver high-quality research that can advance our understanding and influence decision-making.

We welcome discussion, however before commenting, please read the below limitations, which we have acknowledged in the manuscript.

🐴We studied high-level horses ridden by highly skilled riders regularly ridden in professionally fitted bridles. Therefore, future work is needed to determine if the same results apply to less experienced riders.

🐴We have reported curb rein forces and appreciate that these forces do not represent the intra-oral forces. As discussed throughout the manuscript, we have not measured oral pressures. At present, there is no validated method to measure oral pressure. Whilst some groups have produced estimates, it remains to be seen experimentally if these are valid.

🐴Horse behavioural elements have not been included as they are under review elsewhere.

While this study has limitations, it is the first to compare the double with the snaffle bridle, and it is hoped that it will provide a springboard for future studies in this area.

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆:
In this group of horses and riders very little differences were found in noseband forces between bridles. The greater weight of the double bridle applied higher minimal, maximal and mean occipital forces due to greater weight of bits and cheekpieces in the double bridle. Rein tension did not differ between the snaffle bit of the snaffle bridle and the summed forces of the bridoon and curb bits of the double bridle in walk/canter but were lower for the double bridle when in collected trot. The force applied to the curb was less than the bridoon, and forces on each bit of the double bridle were less than for the snaffle bridle.

All bridles should be professionally fitted. The double bridle should only be used by skilled riders and must not be used to cover up training issues. Riders need to take responsibility and discuss the use of a double bridle with experienced trainers and only use one if they are confident in how to use it, and the horse is appropriately trained and monitored throughout.

As always, a massive thank you to the research team, assistants, riders, owners and horses. And Hartpury University Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE) for funding this project.


𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:
The FEI did not fund this study.
The authors funded Open Access publication

04/06/2025

I was maybe 21 or 22 when I had a lesson that’s stayed with me ever since.

It was one of those early spring days when the arena was still cold, but the sun was shinning.

My horse, a spirited youngster, was tense, and so was I. We were both fighting each other, me trying to hold everything together, him trying to escape everything I was holding.

My trainer at the time was soft-spoken, but her feel in the saddle was sharper than any words. She called me into the middle with just a glance.

She didn’t say much. Just walked up, took the reins from my hands, and held them for a moment.

Then she looked at me and said,
"You’re holding your breath. And you’re holding the reins the same way."

I laughed awkwardly, because she wasn’t wrong.

“Okay,” I said. “Soften my hands. Try not to die. Breathe. Got it.”

But she shook her head.

“No, it’s more than that,” she said. “The reins are the breath of the ride. They should move like breath. Expand. Release. Flow.”

I don’t remember the rest of the ride. But I remember sitting in silence at the end of the day, thinking about what she said.

Back then, I didn’t fully get it. I was too focused on outline, on contact, on “getting it right.” But over time, the lesson kept echoing back to me. Especially in the harder rides, the ones where nothing seemed to click.

And I started to notice:

When I held my breath, I held the reins.
When I was soft and present, so were they.
And when the reins breathed, so did my horse.

The reins aren't tools of control.
They’re a shared inhale, a shared exhale.
A rhythm not made of sound, but of feel.

Now, years later, it’s one of the first things I feel for in every ride:

Are we breathing?
Are we listening?

Because that space, the space between pressure and release, between ask and allow,
that’s where the magic lives.

That’s the breath of dressage.

03/26/2025

Great info from a legend! David O'Connor Equestrian and USEF Network

David O'Connor Getting to Know Horses with David O'Connor: Tacking Up a Horse Posted: February 2025 Length: 00:00 Share: About This Video Before tacking up, you should always show the saddle, pad, etc. to your horse to allow them to sniff and accept it, advises decorated Olympian and US Equestrian C...

03/26/2025

"Lessons are called riding lessons, not horsing lessons. Their primary purpose is to develop a rider. Once there is a good rider, he can become a trainer of horses, yet often riders are asked to train before they have the skills to do it."
– Charles de Kunffy

I always use this quote in my teachings! CdK is the master and I’m so grateful to have him in my life 🩵

𝑴𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒂 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒂𝒚!
🩵 𝑱𝑱 𝑻𝒂𝒕𝒆

Join the community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TeamTateTV/

www.teamtateacademy.com |

03/20/2025

03/19/2025

03/18/2025

If you would like to attend the Celebration of Life for Peri Lambros, please RSVP using the link: https://evite.me/sxt77FDPZj⁩

**If you have trouble with the link please PM your rsvp to Cindy Simmons Thaxton. TY

WHEN
Saturday, April 5, 2025
5:00 PM ET - 7:00 PM ET

High Point Farm
Watkinsville, GA

03/18/2025

A Message from the Regional Director Charlotte Trentelman
. . "The biggest problem our shows seem to be having recently is a shortage of scribes--either e-scribes or "paper". Big shows and small shows are competing with a large contingent of Combined Training Events, Breed Shows, Western Dressage and even Driving Events. It's all a form of dressage training, and they all go down a centerline. Perhaps a GMO (or two) could set up a training program to improve our scribe volume!

On an International need: Region 3 is looking for two chef d'equip's for the North American Youth Championships in Michigan the end of July. Liz Molloy has guided our teams brilliantly, but can only chef for the Young Rider Team or the Junior Team--and now, this year, we've added Children's Teams. We need two more people to step up and be present in this beautiful venue with Liz. Contact her directly, or contact myself."

Region 3 States: Alabama; Florida; Georgia; South Carolina; Tennessee
Region 3 Message:
https://www.usdf.org/E-news/November23/region3.asp

03/17/2025

The March Collected Remarks newsletter has been published! What do you think of the new cover style?

Read here: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/c8e57b35d2.html

CONTENT
5–Letter from the President
7–A Thank You to Our Sponsor Vetericyn
9–GDCTA Spring Fling Schooling Show
10-11–Jeremy Steinberg Dressage Clinic
12-13–The Importance of Knowing the Rules for Horse Showing in Dressage and Eventing
14-15–Why GDCTA Members Should Apply for a GDCTA Training Grant
16-17–GDCTA & Area 3 YR Eventing Summer Camp
18-19–Playing with AI
20–GDCTA Board & Committees
22-23–Meeting Notes
24–Donors
25–Schooling Show Calendar Link
27-35–Rules

On the cover:

Cynthia Thaxton and Peri Lambros on Peri’s horse Cuartelero IV.