GreyHall Dressage

07/09/2024

🚨Volunteers desperately needed for CDCTA THURSDAY SUMMER DRESSAGE SCHOOLING SHOWS AT GREAT MEADOW at Great Meadow Foundation!!


❗️We still need the following volunteers to run Thursday's afternoon/evening schooling show that runs from 12-7pm:-
1 Scribe 11.45-7pm
2 Ring Stewards 11.30-7pm - can be split 11.30-3.30 or 3.30-7pm
1 Runner 12-7pm - can be split 12-3.30 or 3.30-7pm

Show office help for set up, scoring, posting and take down/clean up - we will take any help even if you can only do a few hours.

😃 To volunteer please contact our wonderful Volunteer Coordinator
Jessica Whitmoyer: Email - [email protected] Cell - 703-472-5378

🤩THANK YOU AND PLEASE HELP US TO KEEP RUNNING THESE POPULAR SHOWS!

04/15/2024

An important concept to understand in saddle fit! And great pictures.

01/24/2024

Illustrations of the correct progression and change in the horses topline. And keep in mind these steps happen over years of training.

01/07/2024

11/14/2023

Be open to change. Commit. Be consistent.

Often new students come for a lesson because there is a specific problem or they haven’t been able to progress for one reason or another. Training holes, positional corrections, etc. take an open learning mind to fix. As a trainer it is my job to guide you in the changes that need to be made. For me, lesson one is mostly diagnostic. It takes multiple lessons, correct repetitions, and a commitment to really start to make lasting changes.

Students also need to trust and commit to making the changes. Sometime it will take you outside your comfort zone because your body is comfortable doing things a certain way. It’s much easier to stay focused when in a regular training/lesson schedule. Educated eyes on the ground are the best way to stay on track and make consistent progress.

Getting video of rides between lessons is a great tool. I get video as often as possible, it’s not about being perfect, it is about seeing what is working, what needs more work, and a great way to track progress.

10/25/2023

Lovely Virginia fall evening 🍁🍂🐴🦌

09/03/2023

08/14/2023

Sandy Hotz answers this reader question, briefly explaining how überstreichen should be ridden, the purpose of the movement and when to use it.

08/11/2023

Beautiful ending to a busy, successful day

07/18/2023

Remember where you started and how far you have come. It’s easy to get caught up in the constant strive for making things better, moving up a level, small training setbacks/puzzles to solve, etc. From time to time think about where you were last year, 3 years ago, or 15 years ago 😱

Appreciate and recognize the growth, improvement, and goals achieved. Onward and upward, and cheers to overcoming some obstacles along the way!

07/13/2023

"HOT" TIPS FOR SAFE SUMMER RIDING

As you enjoy some fun in the sun with your favorite equine, make sure you understand how the combination of heat and humidity can take the fun part out the equation — and potentially even turn into a dangerous situation for your horse.

When riding in hot weather, remember to take precautions and use your common sense. Remain vigilant for dehydration and for signs of heat exhaustion, as the situation can quickly escalate into heat stroke. If your horse looks hot and tired, it's time for a drink, a cold bath and a break in the shade.

Consult your veterinarian for more information, or learn more about the signs of heat stroke on our website at https://aaep.org/issue/heat-stroke
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07/12/2023

I have some great deals on show attire for both horse and rider!

Saddle pads, white breeches, and show coats. All in good condition, just sitting in the back of my closet and ready to find a new home!

07/05/2023

Remember to practice the beginning and end of every test, the centerline! Work on it weekly, not just in a panic in the show warmup when you realize you forgot (we have all been there!)

Things to think about… straightness, having an accurate turn onto the centerline, transitions/balance in and out of halt, expectation for the level (trot, canter, walk steps in intro). And you don’t always have to practice like it is in the test! I often just ride down the centerline to focus on the turn onto and off of, and straightness. On a greener horse, practice a few halt transitions on the rail then when it feels secure try one on the quarter line or centerline. I also ask for the halt at other letters, not always X, to keep the horse from anticipating.

06/28/2023

“Don’t be busy. Be productive.”

A lot of productive training can happen at the walk. Feeling drained mid week and trying to pump yourself up to go ride your horse. Make it a walk day! Focus on walk quality, position, breaking down the accuracy of figures, etc. The walk is often overlooked and it’s often a coefficient in tests making it a great opportunity to pick up some points 🤩 (or lose them 😣).

06/20/2023

Give your horse variety and get out of the arena. It’s not just the mental break from the arena that’s good for them, working on different footings improves their proprioception, and stimulates bone density and cartilage that cushions stride impact. Studies have shown that horses worked consistently on the same, perfect, well groomed surface every day are more susceptible to injury. Repetitive motion leads to the dulling of nerve signals to stabilizing muscles.

Get creative and use what you have available! I often do my walk warm up and cool down out of the arena. One day a week I try to do my entire session out of the arena. Set up obstacles such as walk cavaletti, small cross rails, barrels, cones or tires to do figures around. If you have hills, use them!

06/13/2023

What makes a correct trot stretch circle? A movement introduced in Training Level Test 2 but a very important excerise to incorporate in the correct training of any dressage horse. I find it to be a great way to test the throughness, suppleness, and relaxation achieved in daily work, especially at the end of a ride. I’m looking for my horses to willingly stretch when a longer rein is gradually offered. Also think about whether the horse wants to stretch equally going on a circle left and right.

For test riding, pro tip is don’t forget to read the test movement and directives (and this goes for every movement). Lots of good information on what the judge is looking for. The trot balance and quality shouldn’t change (no slowing down or speeding up of tempo), a light connect should be maintained (no floppy, loose reins), and the horse should stretch out and down to roughly their point of shoulder.

06/07/2023

FYI locally it’s around 115 right now. I know it’s impacting me. It’s a great day for a hack or lighter work or just a day off.

04/24/2023

Beautiful spring day! Our full size dressage arena is perfect for test practice and polishing. Reach out to schedule a lesson!

04/12/2023

ISO part time weekend help/farm sitter 🐴

Friendly private dressage barn. Must have horse experience. Paid, working student or partial lease opportunity. PM for more info 😊

10/16/2022

🍂🍁🐴

09/27/2022

Fall & cooler weather is a great time to get some riding & lessons in! Let me help you develop a training program to start working towards next seasons goals 😊

We offer
▫️Trailer-in lessons
▫️ On-site lesson horse
▫️ Lessons at your facility (within 30 min.)
▫️Also available for day clinics throughout VA!