Essence of Dressage, LLC

02/05/2026

Johan Hamminga, winner of the 2026 Golden Pin Award, tells us:
“The balance of the horse is really the most important thing. The horse must be in a good shape. What we need to be aiming for in our breeding program is a horse with a good hind end, a horse that is strong and capable of bending behind. It all comes from the power and activity behind, the front doesn’t matter, steady on the bit, doesn’t matter – when the horse is in balance, the front and the contact, will come.”�https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2018/04/form-function-johan-hamminga-outlines-a-brilliant-synthesis/

02/05/2026

Team Prac member and equestrian biomechanics expert Dave Thind discusses the common signs that you're overusing the wrong muscles and the importance of relaxing in the saddle to develop a more harmonious partnership with your horse.

03/10/2024

To improve your horse’s balance on your chosen line of travel …

Imagine that your eyes project a thin, thread-like cobweb connecting your horse to your destination. When you glance down at your hands—even for a split second—this fragile cobweb gets cut and your horse loses his orientation and, therefore, his balance.—Susanne von Dietze

🎨: Sandy Rabinowitz

03/09/2024

🤣🤣

02/27/2024

A discussion of this indispensable element in daily dressage training

02/13/2024

02/04/2024

To increase your horse’s elasticity ...

Imagine his topline as a giant accordion, breathing in and out. Play with mild increases and decreases in his pace, letting his body move quietly through its spectrum.—Jeremy Steinberg

🎨: Sandy Rabinowitz

02/04/2024

01/28/2024

Steffen Peters:
"To be true dressage, we go back to self carriage… Show the lightness, expression and beautiful self-carriage that is the essence of the sport. The way she carries herself… Don’t lean back, give her back a place to go, don’t contain her with your seat.”
Read more: https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2023/11/steffen-peters-at-mary-hannas/

01/27/2024

European dressage trainer Anja Beran tackles an often-stubborn problem with a surprising solution.