Fieldstone Farm

02/14/2025

07/31/2024

Too hot for lessons this afternoon …atoms heading this way after 4:30.

05/21/2024

This is the line up so far for the June Brad Clinic…..let me know if you want to reserve a spot.

05/15/2024

Updated May Brad Cutshall Clinic. Have a couple of open spots….

05/14/2024

This weekends Brad Clinic updated…

05/14/2024

From our Ottercreek show this last weekend… showing 1st 3 and 2nd 1 and 2…

04/22/2024

May Brad Cutshall Clinic…

02/23/2024

See everyone tomorrow…190.00 per ride. Pot luck lunch…

02/21/2024

Camp dates are open….i fixed the problem that was blocking the registrations from going through….if there are questions please give me a call or text….320-492-0902

11/11/2023

Kristina Harrison answers this reader question.

10/04/2023

Try this advice from Jane Karol, which includes proven methods for overcoming show anxiety to help you perform at your best.

10/02/2023

To help keep the horse from falling to the outside in shoulder-in...

The rider’s outside leg should act as a guarding leg. It passively guards the horse’s outside hind leg so it steps straight ahead and parallel to the long side. It is like a guard protecting a castle. He isn’t attacking but is there if needed.—Laura Ashley Killian

Killian is a USDF gold, silver and bronze medalist and USDF Certified Instructor through Fourth Level and was the recipient of the 2021 George Williams Young Professional Grant from The Dressage Foundation (TDF). She teaches and trains out of Laura Ashley Dressage in Loxahatchee, Florida.

🎨: Sandy Rabinowitz

09/27/2023

Let’s talk about the difference between rhythm and tempo. I hear these words used incorrectly all the time, and it’s more than just a nit picky thing to correct. It’s a very important concept to understand.

Rhythm (in dressage) is the footfall of the gait - 4 beats for walk, 2 beats for trot, and 3 beats for canter.

Tempo is the SPEED of the rhythm. You can discover your horse’s ideal Beats Per Minute (BPM) for each gait.

A huge moving warmblood and a tiny Shetland pony have the same rhythm in trot, but they have VERY different tempos.

If you have a RHYTHM problem, you have a big problem. If the walk is lateral (leaning towards 2 beats rather than 4), or the canter is a 4 beat canter - this is a big problem. Could be a physical issue with the horse, but you will need good help from a pro with a rhythm fault.

Most riders have a TEMPO problem - too fast, too slow, too varied. Ideally, the tempo should be like a metronome - steady and reliable, and YOU have to set it for the horse. (Side note - it’s super easy to download a free metronome app on your phone and ride with one. It will be seriously annoying to find out how NOT steady your tempo is 😂. But it’s very helpful to discover your horse’s BPM for each gait and try to stay steady.)

The rider has to be like the conductor of the orchestra - you SET the tempo for the horse, but you don’t play all the instruments. Tell your horse how quickly (or slowly) to march in walk, push in trot, and jump in canter. Then leave him alone and only adjust when that tempo goes too fast or too slow. You have to be a quiet, feeling rider to notice immediately when the tempo begins to slow down or speed up too much.

Illustration by Susan DiFelice Design

09/27/2023

Kate Fleming-Kuhn explains how to be sure you and your dressage horse are prepared before moving up a level.

09/24/2023

German Olympian Hubertus Schmidt explains the functioning dynamics of the half halt.