Glenwood Stables

22/09/2025

04/09/2025

Learn the secret of collection with the late Franz Kukuk:“Only horses that trust, and horses that bounce, that are very supple and loose in their neck can do this work. If you try to force the horse with the rein in front then you break the whole movement over the back into the hand. Only when you have that bounce and freedom, can you start a proper piaffe/passage program and it won’t turn into a really tense, forced fight.” https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2021/08/working-under-saddle-with-herr-kukuk/

28/08/2025

Olympian Isabell Werth explains how elasticity and suppleness allow your dressage horse to do his job well and how to help him achieve these key qualities.

26/08/2025

RECENT TESTING AT KZN DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Dear Members,

We refer to the comments made on social media after unannounced testing of horses were done at the recent KZN Dressage Championships. Testing was also conducted a fortnight ago on the same basis at the Gauteng Dressage Championships. The decision to perform these tests is that of the SAEF and is done without prior knowledge of any other party except the SAEF Testing Veterinarian.

Testing is done by only a handful of accredited SAEF Testing Veterinarians and may occur at any level of competition. Selected horses are sampled in accordance with our SAEF Veterinary Rules and Regulations adhering to internationally accepted veterinary and ethical standards.

This is part of the South African Equestrian Federation’s ongoing commitment to Clean Sport and upholding the highest standards of horse welfare and fair competition, and we would like to remind all competitors and stakeholders that random testing by the SAEF for illegal substances in horses will continuously be conducted not only at dressage events, but also at any other SAEF events under our jurisdiction. It is the prerogative of the Federation to decide when and where to conduct said testing.

This initiative is not punitive, but rather a proactive measure to ensure the health, safety, and fair treatment of all equine athletes participating in our sport.

Why This Matters:
🐴 Protects the welfare of horses from substances that may cause harm or unfairly enhance performance.
⚖️ Promotes fair play and integrity within the sport.
🌍 Aligns with international best practices in equestrian competition.

We encourage our members to ensure that they are familiar with the SAEF Veterinary Regulations. https://saef.org.za/documents/veterinary-rules/

We also encourage all riders, owners, and support teams to familiarise themselves with the current list of prohibited substances and to ensure full compliance with SAEF and FEI regulations. https://inside.fei.org/fei/cleansport/ad-h/prohibited-list

Should you have any questions or require guidance, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected]

Thank you for your continued cooperation in fostering a sport where equine welfare comes first.

Warm regards,

South African Equestrian Federation (SAEF)

24/08/2025

🐴DRESSAGE SOLUTIONS🐴 Improve Rein Connection

To improve your rein connection ...

Imagine your point of contact with the bit is in your elbows, triceps and back, and that your arms, wrists and hands are just extensions of the reins. This allows the connection to be held in your body rather than your hands and allows the hands and arms to be soft.
~ Jessica Miller

🎨 Sandy Rabinowitz

22/08/2025

Olympian Sue Blinks shows how her multifaceted approach to dressage excellence works in teaching movements like shoulder-in and piaffe.

14/08/2025

09/08/2025

REAL BASICS with Kyra Kyrklund:
"At every point, try to get the aids lighter and lighter. When you are teaching something you may have to use heavier aids but that doesn't mean longer spurs or longer curb bits. 'Use your leg' doesn't mean more spur, it often means just stay there. It's not a matter of the rider changing technique, more the horse changing technique."
https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2020/12/kyra-kyrklund-the-young-horse-the-first-step/

14/07/2025

🐴DRESSAGE SOLUTIONS🐴 Find Core Stability Without Getting Rigid

To find stability in your core without becoming stiff or rigid …

Imagine there is a birthday cake between your horse’s ears. Inflate your cheeks and exhale strongly enough to blow out as many candles as possible—or one candle with each trot step!
~ Susanne von Dietze

🎨 Sandy Rabinowitz

06/06/2025

We are very excited to welcome our first South African Evoke Brand Ambassador Andrea Harrison Buchmann to our Amazeballs Equestrian team.

We look forward to watching Andrea dance down centreline in her beautiful Evoke Helmets. Andrea is a dressage coach and a dressage rider of all levels and believes anything is possible when you have the right team.

Stay tuned to find out who the next lucky South African Evoke brand ambassador will be!!

Andrea Harrison Buchmann

06/04/2025

Dressage doesn't demand perfection. It demands perseverance.

This sport will humble you. Confuse you. Occasionally betray you. You’ll ride one day like a future team rider, and the next like someone who just discovered horses exist.

But here’s the thing: the ones who make it aren’t the flashiest or the most naturally gifted. They’re the ones who keep showing up. Who ride through the mental spirals, the sticky transitions, the “why do I do this to myself” days.

The quiet, gritty ones? They’re the real ones.
Because dressage doesn’t w**d out the weak, it builds the strong.

Keep going. You’re probably doing better than you think.