Dressage With Tay

Home
Dressage With Tay

Dressage With Tay offers biomechanics coaching, riding lessons, dressage training, show judging, and clinics throughout the U.S.

19/03/2025

Legendary Reiner KlimkeLegendary Reiner Klimke
Reiner Klimke (14 January 1936 – 17 August 1999) was a German equestrian, who won six gold and two bronze medals in dressage at the Summer Olympics — a record for equestrian events. He appeared in six Olympics from 1960 to 1988, excluding the 1980 Games that were boycotted by West Germany.'
'
'
'

14/03/2025

𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐳: 𝐀 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

I’ve found that the more I learn about Manolo Mendez’s approach to classical dressage, the more it resonates with me on a deeply personal level. His philosophy is not just about the technical aspects of riding or training, it’s about the relationship between the horse and rider. It’s about building a connection rooted in mutual respect and understanding. This is something that, as a rider and coach, I find incredibly powerful and inspiring.

Manolo’s approach emphasizes the importance of listening to the horse, understanding its body, its mind, and its emotions. This holistic view goes beyond just getting the right movement; it’s about helping the horse feel balanced, relaxed, and confident. I think this is something that many riders, including myself, can sometimes overlook. We often get caught up in the goal of performing a movement or achieving a specific result, forgetting that true success comes from a partnership where the horse feels secure and willing to learn.

What I find most striking about Manolo’s philosophy is his patience and commitment to revisiting the basics. The idea that “the hardest work for both trainer and horse is to be prepared to revisit the basics many times to reach your goals” really speaks to me. It’s a reminder that there are no shortcuts in the training process. Every step, no matter how small, matters. And as simple as it sounds, revisiting the basics is often where we make the most progress.

Another thing I admire about Manolo is his belief that training should not just be about performance but also about healing. He believes that the horse’s physical and emotional well-being should always be the priority. This approach is something I try to carry into my own coaching. It’s easy to focus on pushing a horse to perform, but the foundation must always be about creating a horse that feels healthy, comfortable, and confident.

Another exercise that Manolo frequently incorporates into his training is the straight line with lateral flexion. This exercise is designed to help the horse develop better balance, body awareness, and flexibility while working in a straight line. The rider guides the horse on a long rein while asking for slight lateral flexion through the neck, encouraging the horse to soften and bend gently to the inside. The focus is on maintaining straightness in the body while allowing the horse to stretch through its top line and engage its hindquarters. This exercise helps correct any stiffness, improve the horse’s alignment, and encourage it to move with more fluidity and suppleness. By performing this exercise in-hand, the horse learns how to maintain a straight line while also engaging in controlled lateral movement, preparing it for more complex work under saddle. It also builds the horse’s confidence and responsiveness, as it learns to respond to subtle cues and gain a better understanding of balance and coordination. Manolo’s emphasis on exercises like this shows his belief in laying a strong foundation of posture and connection, setting the horse up for success in future training.

Manolo’s teachings have had a significant impact on my own practice as a coach. His respect for the horse and the time he takes to observe and understand each animal is something I strive to bring into my own work. I want to create an environment where my horses feel heard and safe, not just pushed to perform.

Though I haven’t yet had the chance to attend one of his clinics, I dream of the day when I can experience his approach firsthand. I know it would be a transformative experience for me, one that would deepen my understanding of not only dressage but the true art of working with horses.

05/10/2024

I took my self out of the game.

I took myself out of the game when I chose to breed my good horse, the only competitive horse I had.

I took myself out of the game when I chose to ride under someone and be behind the scenes to further my skill and education

I took myself out of the game when I sold everything I had except for an un-started 2 year old

I took myself out of the game when I decided to put my family first during a really difficult time

I took myself out of the game when I pursued a career. A career that for a year took up 98% of my time.

I took myself out of the game when I mentally couldn’t handle the dedication and commitment playing the game required.

I took myself out of the game for way longer than I planned to.

And the game goes on, whether you’re playing it or not. There will always be other players ready to take your spot the second you pull back on the reins.

The people that used to cheer for me no longer do, the friends that used to encourage me no longer find me worth their time, the people that used to say they missed seeing me, no longer care to see me show up.

But the thing about the game, is that IT NEVER STOPS. And the beautiful part of it all, is that you can always choose to play again.

You may have chosen to take yourself out of it, but you can always choose to put yourself back in.

Choose to play again. Choose to come back to it, to find your love for it again. It’s okay to take yourself out. It’s okay to water other gardens and play other games, sometimes you need to. Sometimes those things are more important.

But the cool thing about this particular game.. you can always choose to play again.

It may be scary and a little more lonely than what you remember, and there may be no one that cares that you’re there, but YOU care that you’re there. And your HORSE cares that your there. And that’s all that matters.

Choose to play again.
Choose to show up.
Choose to try.
Choose to be brave, and strong.
Choose to be excited to be back at the bottom. No expectations, a clean slate. Choose to love the journey, YOUR journey, because it made you who you are.
Choose to play the game to the best of your ability no matter what happens, no matter what people say, no matter who cares that you’re there, because the comeback is always stronger than the set back.
Written by-Kassi Bryk

15/03/2024

If I could go back in time and apologize to all of the horses I’ve harmed through ignorance, I would.

I would tell them that I truly did love them but my love was misguided. I had been taught to love them in the wrong way, in a way that hurt them.

I would tell them that I wish I could have given them more freedom. To have allowed for them to live a life of more abundance, one of a stability and consistency they could only dream of.

I would tell them how I would protect their right to friendships with other horses and do my darnedest to preserve the beautiful relationships they build.

I would show them how I’ve changed. How I’m not so quick to grab a harsher bit or a training gadget to get the instant gratification I so desired, at their expense. How I’ve embraced more lightness and softness.

I would tell them how much better I could listen to them now and how deeply regretful I am for ignoring their voice for so long.

I would tell them how sorry I am, how I’m reminded of the hurt I caused them any time I see a horse in active distress. Any time I see a horse living a shell of a life, confined to a stall with no other stimulation.

I would tell them how that brings me right back to all of the times I had caused them the same pain, while insisting it was for their best interest and that they loved their life.

But, I can’t do any of that.

So, instead, I do what I can now for the horses I have and I speak.

I speak and I speak, even if yelling into the abyss, in hopes that some people will hear me and make positive changes for their horses earlier than what I was able to.

I dedicate a huge portion of my time to thinking about where improvement is needed and vocalizing my belief in the potential for change.

I try, one spark at a time, to ignite an inferno of change, one that may eventually burn down a structure of belief that serves neither horse nor human.

I can’t go back and undo the hurt I caused, but hopefully, I can reduce harm in the present and work towards creating a better world alongside all of the others fighting the same fight.

If I could go back in time and reunite with the horses I’ve hurt, I would thank them for tolerating me and not bringing me harm, despite the harm I brought them.

I would express my eternal gratitude for their kindness and forgiveness

We could all learn a thing or two from horses.

They forgive us time and time again, even when we may not deserve it.

Their gentility and softness is something we should all aspire to have.

So, thank you to the horses I wronged.

I will spend my entire life trying to do better by them and hopefully one day, I can earn the forgiveness they gave so freely even though I didn’t deserve it.

06/02/2024

Refresher on stirrup adjustment.
I'm constantly amazed at how many people don't know how to safely adjust their own stirrups.

P.S. If your leathers are too thick or padded to slide like this, that's another safety issue and you more than likely overpaid for them. 🙃😆

Address

Opening Hours

Monday	10:00 - 21:00
Tuesday	10:00 - 21:00
Wednesday	10:00 - 21:00
Thursday	10:00 - 21:00
Friday	10:00 - 21:00
Saturday	10:00 - 21:00

Telephone

+18037711410

Website

http://www.dressagewithtay.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dressage With Tay posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Dressage With Tay:

Shortcuts

Address
Telephone
Opening Hours
Alerts
Contact The Business
Claim ownership or report listing
Want your business to be the top-listed Pet Store/pet Service?

Country:

City:

Our Story

Dressage instructor and trainer L.A. (Tay) Harriett has more than 18 years of training, teaching, and competition experience. These years have included opportunities to intern, and apprentice with many accomplished and internationally respected riders. Still a student himself, Tay actively participates in regular lessons and seizes every opportunity to continue his education through various clinics and courses.

Throughout his career, Tay has been privileged to participate in an intensive European dressage-training program with Germany's own Hanschen Eggers. It was with Herr Eggers where Tay was able to train and ride a wide array of horses from all stages of training; breaking to Grand Prix.

In addition to his studies with Herr Eggers, Tay has learned from Gunnar Ostergaard of Denmark, Bareiter Marius Schreiner of the Spanish Riding School in, Luis Lucio of the FEI and Spanish Olympic selection committee, Charles de Kunffy of Hungary, and Zerke van Messenderheide of Sweden.

Tay has been fortunate enough to compete through Inter. 1, and has successfully trained 2 horses and coached 4 riders to the FEI level of dressage competition.

Having been exposed to so many disciplines and breeds of horses, Tay believes that horses have the ability to teach us exactly what we need to learn through our day-to-day interactions. Any dedicated equestrian who is wiling to learn can improve their level of horsemanship and riding abilities. This strong belief is partnered with his passion for sharing knowledge with others to create lessons that are filled with fun and full of accomplishments, whatever your goals may be. Horses and students in ALL disciplines have benefited from Tay's strong background in dressage and biomechanics for both horse and rider.

Tay holds the following certificates and credentials:

American Riding Instructor's Association, Level II Dressage, and Level I Western

International Society of Rider Biomechanics, AISRB Level III Coach and Course Mentor N.C. State University, Open Horse Show Judge scoring at the Top of his class

Tay credits his success to having a positive attitude, open mind, shamelessly unquenchable thirst for knowledge, and most importantly his support base - his fabulous clients!

Depending upon your aspirations, Tay will work with each rider to tailor a riding program to meet you and your horse’s specific needs. All lessons taught by Tay are one (1) hour long, and private. This means you will be the only rider in the arena being instructed for the entirety of your lesson, with few to no auditors (rider’s choice) as you are being taught. There are a limited number of spaces open for horses in training. If you have a horse that needs to be worked with to “correct” or address a specific issue, or if you just need your horse conditioned and kept in tip-top shape, please contact Tay ASAP for more information.