Table of contents for Dressage Today Extra Volume 15 in Practical Horseman

I have developed my own special version of a cavesson with a metal noseband that is padded and covered with leather. It fits the horse well and gives me the opportunity to have a very focused and exact effect on his nose. Being able to give the aids clearly and at the point where they have an optimum effect, makes it easier for the horse to understand them. It is also of great use when I have to handle young stallions or otherwise strong horses. Many cavessons touch a horse’s eyes when he pulls away from the line of the circle. To avoid this, mine has a special cheek strap (see photo), which prevents it from slipping toward the horse’s eye. The rotatable ring in the middle of the nosepiece…

I wish I knew when I was competing what I now know as a judge. The judge’s perspective puts a whole new light on the way a rider presents her horse. Competitors often make the mistake of thinking that because they can do the “tricks” of the level, then that’s where they should show. The judge, however, wants to see a horse ridden with correct basics for each level according to the purpose as written on the test. Just because you can do a flying change doesn’t necessarily mean you have a Third Level horse. For example, I sometimes see horses doing a flying change who are not on the bit—a basic requirement. There should be evidence that the Training Scale is being followed in the training of the horse.…