Bringing partnership to performance
Partnership and performance are not mutually exclusive.
We are dedicated to creating happy, balanced, connected dressage partnerships that are also competitive.
The FEI defines this: “The object of dressage is the development of the horse into a happy athlete through harmonious education. As a result, it makes the horse calm, supple, loose and flexible, but also confident, attentive, and keen, thus achieving a perfect understanding with the rider.”
But how many times do you truly see this happy athlete in competition?
Partnership Dressage was born out of a desire to compete, while truly putting the horse’s well being and happiness first. We believe building partnership and connection improves performance, not diminishes it!
We proudly build happy athletes.
Is your horse a happy athlete?
Happy athletes are relaxed horses, they display a lack of tension, both on the ground and under saddle.
They have ‘soft’ eyes, relaxed necks, and loose and swinging backs. They are eager to travel forward with energy but without tension, always from the back legs forward through their bodies.
The happy athlete is a harmonious picture of horse and rider performing with ease an invisible aids. Happy athletes enjoy their work and want to perform.
If you or your horse lack some or all of these qualities-don’t despair!
Partnership Dressage can help!
How is this happy athlete created?
At Partnership Dressage, we have developed a system to foster a harmonious education and relationship between horse and rider that is based on trust and confidence.
We seek to develop each horse’s individual character, (not suppress it), through a foundation of natural horsemanship and horse behavior knowledge on the ground that educates riders on how to “speak horse”. This understanding increases both confidence and awareness in the horse AND the human. We strive to develop the horses’ natural abilities to reach or even exceed their natural physical movement through correct, classic, back to front (hind legs forward to the bit) riding and rider body awareness and attention so the rider learns stop interfering with themselves (and their horse!) and let the horse’s energy flow freely over the back. This allows the horse freedom and increases their desire to move confidently and proudly.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, our priority is to have a horse that enjoys his work and does it willingly. Our happy athletes prove it is possible to have a competitive horse without the use of force.
We do this by combining these 3 pieces:
1. horsemanship principles/attunement work/building connection
2. Feldenkrais method (r) awareness through movement exercises (both horse and human)
3. classical dressage (back to front riding).
“Elaine’s training of my horse and coaching of me are building the foundation for a long, enjoyable partnership.”
—Ruth Shaw
