DRESSAGE EXPLAINED | Part 15| Q&A from a Grand Prix Rider

[@phoenixx6380]

Thanks Alicia. I've been riding for 30 years, but NO ONE has ever been able to explain the transition from halt up into trot like that before! It makes sense! At last!!! 💖

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Glad to help!! Thank you so much for watching!

[@lafemmefatal]

Can we all stop for a minute and just appreciate how AMAZING horses are for being able to pick up on and understand this insanely subtle cues!!! its BLOWS MY MIND!!!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

You are absolutely right!

[@enni9746]

This is so great! I feel that even if you are not the most naturally gifted rider with great balance and feeling in your hands and bum, you will be able to get great results just by finally understanding the concepts behind it all. These are such a great things to have in your “toolbox”! Thank you for doing these videos!❤️

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Our pleasure xx

[@rebeccaphillips5180]

Who else is riding around saying 'come here. Let go' after watching the video? So good! Love it!! Thanks Alicia ❤❤❤💖

[@YourRidingSuccess]

You're the best!

[@kiraaurinkoinen6872]

I had a lesson yesterday, and my instructor said my seat had greatly improved in a short time. It’s all thanks to you.❤️ Your Pilates videos have also been a huge help. The horses I ride thank you too 😊. It must be incredibly hard to juggle family life, your career and this channel, and I want you to know you’re making a huge difference.

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Hey Kira, this is the most lovely message and thanks so much for sending it - it truly warms Alicia's heart when she reads messages like this (I will show her) xx

[@christinafragis7224]

Once again thanks a billion Alicia - you are constantly in my head when I am riding. My invisible grand prix coach!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

You're so welcome! Thanks so much for your support!

[@kimcloss7918]

Love the walk and trot transitions from halt explanation. My mind is definitely blown! Thanks!!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Perfect! LOVE that you learned something from this video x

[@Loocarrx]

I’ve always looked for explanations on how to ride these dressage movements and I never found them until your videos, and this video is fantastic. When my pony is eventually established in basic paces I’ll be practising these steps. Thank you! X

[@YourRidingSuccess]

So nice to read this feedback, Luca! Thank you!! Tell us how you go when you try it next time xx

[@kellykuretich2698]

I had a lesson today and my trainer commented on how amazing the change has been in my riding over the last 2 months . Grand Prix hands especially has been such a game changer - thank you!!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Wow!! Super job, Kelly!

[@karenwarner9015]

Love these videos.Absolutely brilliant. You are the dressage Christmas Fairy

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Love this name!! xx

[@fionatomney1418]

I loved the bit about visualising the lift into trot from halt. This will definitely help me to get a snappy departure on my next centreline!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Woohoo! Tell us how you go once you try this xx

[@stephaniebusam4016]

Alicia, thank you so so much!!! I started shaking when i saw you were answering my question, haha, but this has helped so much!!!! There are so many little details that you’ve not only addressed but really prompted myself (and i’m sure many others!) to suddenly stop and think about in greater detail then we had been! Thank though thank you thank you!!! i’m super excited to start training myself to pay attention to these details, become more consistent in my aids, and ultimately helping my horse to step up his game - SO MUCH APPRECIATION!! You’re fantastic - muah!!!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

We super LOVE this feedback, Stephanie!! It's our pleasure to help!! We can't wait to hear about your progress once you try these techniques xx

[@redmare1746]

Mary Jo 🤗 can't wait !

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Super exciting!!

[@trousseau_ideal487]

Hi Alicia - an idea for the video. Everything about warm up. How to warm up newly dressage horse, how to PSG/GP horse - what is the difference. In which posture to warm up, what to do and not to do, what is the timing, etc.How to warm up at competition - be ready but not overwork. Tips for good pre competition warm up.

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Great ideas!!! Leave this with us, a lot to cover in this idea but I will have a think about how best to do it x

[@tanyahypes8203]

OMG, halt to trot or walk. This was huge advice for me. I was doing the SAME cue, thinking my horse would know the difference just by how "softly" I asked. The problem, of course, is that when the horse is keyed up, that same cue gets a very varied reaction! Of COURSE it should be a different ask! Why had I not know this? Anyway...off to try it out, many thanks.

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Let me know how you go Tanya!

[@kiraaurinkoinen6872]

Another great video! I’m a beginner, but you explain even the more advanced stuff in a way which helps me understand the basics better. I am in awe and very very grateful!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Soo happy to help xx

[@laurastott940]

I've learnt so much off your channel and my horse is a lot happier 😊. It's the knowing why it works that really helps me. So much to try and can't thank you guy's enough 💥❤

[@YourRidingSuccess]

That is awesome!

[@Blueflint]

Absolutely LOVE your videos! You're really changing things for people all over the world (like me in South Africa). Hands and seat are my two biggest issues - I tend to get tight with both. Your videos always show me I'm just doing too much and simplifies things so well!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Love it, Laura!! Thank you so much for sharing your progress with us xx

[@lisapapa4196]

Thanks Alicia! Bring on Monday!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

YES!!

[@kimcloss7918]

You are amazing at explaining things and making them so simple.

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Thank you Kim!! So glad you are enjoying the videos! x

[@jlg9363]

Excited!!!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Super!!

[@jlg9363]

Loved the medium trot vs working trot part. Can you maybe show us on the saddle off the horse again? The on the ground saddle videos are super helpful! Loved the head explosion and all the info! Awesome!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Hi Jesse, glad to hear you are loving the videos! Yes - let me have a think about how best we could show this but we will do something x

[@lesliedarling9324]

Love your channel check every day for new videos 👍

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Yay!!! More to come xx

[@paperhorses]

😍 These tips are great... I can not wait till Monday's video.

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Stay tuned!

[@gareonmanler1024]

Alicia your amazing. OMG!!! Who knew!!!! I was taught at pony club a million years ago to sit the first 1-2 steps of the trot before beginning to rise and I have continued to do that all these years even when transitioning from walk to trot. Gosh my poor horses how confused have they been. Jeepers cant wait to try it.

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Love this lightbulb! Tell us how you go when you try it out x

[@gareonmanler1024]

@@YourRidingSuccess OH Alicia I just took my old boy out for a little hack and boom! It works straight into trot no forcing and trying to kick him on. I am just so grateful to you and feeling guilty cause I had him pegged as lazy and it wasn't him at all. Then I did the rising trot standing in the stirrups amazing! Weight straight into the soles of my feet (standing on the ground ) I got it!!!! ( will watch that video again) This horse 'Riley' will be so appreciative of all this I am sure. It makes me feel more confident that I can work with my younger horse now and not ruin him. Thank you again and here's to practice, practice, practice I so want to nail this stuff xoxo

[@YourRidingSuccess]

This is amazing!! Super job!!

[@sharronkane7420]

Omg a light gust switch on mind blowing thank you

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Good one xx

[@emma_and_a_horse]

It's crazy that I've been doing riding lessons for twelve months now, and no one has taught me these aids! What the heck! THANK YOU SO MUCH. I really appreciate it. This stuff is life changing. I can't wait to try it all out. P.S. Is there a video like this explaining the leg yield aids?

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Hi Emma! SOO glad you enjoyed the video so much!! We have a 3 part series on the leg yield! You can watch it here- kzbin.info/aero/PLilNDMqFJS_CD84QRTQFdFASTS8Jy619K

[@redmare1746]

I am so looking forward to your video on Monday ❤ Yes, the GP hand video was EPIC 💥💥💥

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Us, too!! We can't wait xx

[@evawebster7571]

Thanks so much, made so much sense!! And I loved how you explained working trot to medium trot vice versa. I struggle to go from working trot to medium trot because I overthink it and put more leg on and engage my core and the next thing you know I'm in canter whoopz🙊🤷‍♀️. But you've taught me to stop overthinking about the speed and just think about the rise😊🐴

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Glad it was helpful!

[@arborath]

Thanks to your videos when I eventually get back into the saddle I'll know more about how to ride then before when I had a horse. That won't be for at least a few years but at least i'll have the mentality there to start!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

This is a good start!! We can't wait to hear about your progress as soon as you try these techniques xx

[@cherylrobertson8869]

Kitty 🐴 and I 🙂 are spending our time working on transitions right now. Which means I have inadvertently mastered the sitting trot along the way 🤣. We're mastering beautiful square halts too. Your videos have been so amazingly helpful to us both - me from watching and Kitty from hearing me repeat your lessons out loud while I ride 🥰 Thank you xx

[@YourRidingSuccess]

You can do it! Let me know how you go! 😍

[@Conny226]

Thank you for explaining in the smallest details

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Glad it was helpful!

[@laceyjordanpmu]

Another amazing video Thankyou!! So many mind blown, lightbulb moments watching this one!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Yay!! This is super! xx

[@laragoosen473]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us Alicia ! I would love it if you could pls share your Olympic journey with us … ie everything you are doing to get there, care of your horse, how many lessons you having a week, how to plan for your horse to get there with regards to stabling and traveling etc …

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Hey Lara, super questions! Watch this space but also, all the videos we release now is exactly the same way we would care for an olympic horse xx

[@nancyesposito4460]

Amazing video Alicia you do anything and everything to help us succeed.. loved your on foot demo of working and medium trot posting seat difference. My horse is now following just my seat to lengthen and shorten his steps Wow so cool 💥 and my horse is getting happier and more confident. Huge thanks for all you share here.

[@YourRidingSuccess]

So glad you enjoyed it!! This is for you lovely people! xx

[@kimberleenadwocki4393]

Hi Alecia. I just love your analysis and modes explanations of how to go from working trot to Medium trot. So many finite details that just isn't shared by riding instructors. Thank you 😊

[@YourRidingSuccess]

You are so welcome! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this! xx

[@briarspillane2868]

I now look forward to your new videos every week top of the the list! Can't wait for Mondays one getting a horse on the bit. Well done you are doing an awesome job xx

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Glad you like them!

[@kimberlyperillo9990]

Good stuff! Can't wait to work on that halt to trot transition. Question: did you ever get to do a video with using the pressure gages to show just how much pressure is used with good contact. I saw the most recent video about contact, but was looking forward to seeing that gage experiment. I thought that was a clever idea. 😄

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Hi Kimberly! Not yet, we are trying out some gages and working out how to best show you x

[@bethmiller8284]

I love the specific how-tos! Is there a video or a Q&A that addresses aids for how to properly do a leg yield? I don't think anyone has really explained it to me before but it seems to be a vital tool.

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Hey Beth! Yes we have lots of videos on leg yield. Watch these - kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4TQoHeNbbufrck kzbin.info/www/bejne/apzNlKZ9epeHsJY kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKG9Zn5mlMuUppY

[@johannaryhanen6981]

Thanks again for amazing episodes! I wonder if it is possible to watch the seminary somewhere?

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Hi Johanna, send us an email at [e-mail] and the team will help you out x

[@sharonjones6316]

Thank you Alicia, this made so much since x

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Super!!

[@christelruttens5225]

Thank you so much for explaining my question! I really understand what you mean, my head exploded ;-). You're are the best, Alicia!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Our pleasure to help xx

[@jennasofia5532]

Was waiting for this! Great video as always!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Glad you liked it! xx

[@katyroberts985]

This was a great video. I have had great success encouraging my horse to get bigger by rising bigger. I struggle with being in control enough to slow my rise after he’s going so big.

[@YourRidingSuccess]

This is great to see, Katy!!! xx

[@helenbianchi2831]

Thanks again. Great demos

[@YourRidingSuccess]

You're most welcome xx

[@laurineaubert6828]

Hi Alicia, Thank you so much for all these explanations, your videos really help me to train and learn because I live in the montains and I am a little bit alone during winter (can’t see my coach because the roads are too dangerous to drive with a horse…) Anyway, could you please make a video about how to teach your horse to piaffe in ground work ? Thank you very much for all the help and please continue with the Mowgly videos, there are so helpful. 🤗

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Hey Laurine! Thanks for your message! Yes we would love to make something like this but honestly Alicia teaches the horses mostly from the saddle as is the first to admit she is no in-hand master but we will give this some thought and see if we can make something for you. Funnily enough just this week during one of our DMA program sessions Alicia went live while teaching one of the horses piaffe 🤩

[@karienjansevanrensburg1199]

Thank you for explaining something I can understand. Can’t wait to try them out…

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Let me know how you get on! x

[@FrkVims]

So.. I’m happy you went forward with a career as a dressage rider instead of a singer… 😂😂 Love your explanations!!!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Yay!! Glad you liked it xx

[@suerudler441]

Fabulous Alicia. 👌 always pick up a great snippet that helps!! Tried the Travers today, after watching the video last night and got our first few steps of 4 track!! So excited 😊

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Wow! Awesome to hear this!

[@julialake7379]

So useful - great tips as always. Thanks for sharing your knowledge 🎄

[@YourRidingSuccess]

You are so welcome!

[@claireelaine3642]

I have a lesson this evening and my trainer already warned me that it’s going to be on transitions. And that is one of my weak spots. This can’t be more perfectly time!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Woohoo! Tell us how you go xx

[@colleenoakley253]

Hi Alicia, thank you fir your fabulous videos. I am have been telling all my riding friends about you!! I love the OTTB videos. I have an OTTB that I have brought on myself. She is doing fabulous... Not without struggles of course. I would love more updates of Mogley to keep helping be along my journey. My 2 struggles have been inconsistent contact and lead changes. She comes beautifully round and light but pops up at the slightest excuse. She also really struggles with counter canter on one rein (my precursor to lead changes). My guess is you will tell me to work on suppleness😁 any additional suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Hi Colleen! Thanks for your message and love hearing that you are enjoying the videos! Mowgley is doing really great and you will see an update on him soon! With the inconsistent contact, every time the horse put its head up etc it just means in that moment there is not enough suppleness in order to connect into the bridle, and if it is a regular occurance my guess would be that the horse needs much more suppleness as it means the horse is still holding tension in the body and is not completely "through" (if you haven't already, watch this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKG9Zn5mlMuUppY). With the counter canter (and lead changes) you are right in suppleness, but honestly if the horse is finding the counter canter difficult in any way, the changes will be hard. Take your time and really have the horse adjustable in the counter canter so tempo change, change bend, upright in balance. Then try changes again xx

[@thomasostman8678]

How do you get bigger rise in sitting trot?

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Hi Thomas, do you mean how do you get a bigger stride?

[@thomasostman8678]

Excuse me for the stupid question. But yes. How to get a bigger stride in sitting trot. I'm starting to like riding dressage and your videos have helped me and many. It's so technical and interesting

[@samanthaporter3137]

Love these videos!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Thank you!!

[@jennyhornsten1873]

SOOO good videos! 🙌 now I am motivated to do dressage, before I thought it was pure torture 😅. Thanks

[@YourRidingSuccess]

This is nice to hear!! So glad to know you're more motivated to do dressage now xx

[@leh707]

These are my favorite!😻

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Wow!!

[@laurenschenck5355]

Happy Friday Alicia! Have a great weekend xoxo 😘

[@YourRidingSuccess]

You too!! xx

[@petermorrow6965]

Love the content, my daughter has a 14. 2 TB pony which she wants to jump in time, can the presage technique be used for show jumping. Best regards Peter

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Thank you so much, Peter! 😊

[@susanthomas9272]

Great tips! My question, how do you feel or know, when the outside hind is coming thru so you know when to ask for the flying chamgw

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Hey Susan! Great question! You ask as the horses leading front leg comes forward, watch these videos as they will help you kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3jXoKivYpV6ic0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2SbqH5pe9JrjsU

[@leiabrowning3925]

Okay here’s a question that would literally save my life 😅 my horse is lazy.. behind the leg but goes awesome except for the constant use of leg, I’ve tried so many things to get him more reactive, I always carry a whip and can use it on him and he has no reaction no matter how much I use it, if anything it makes him more sticky and unwilling to go forward because he’s a sensitive sally 😅 please help me, even Spurs don’t help…

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Hi there! Have a look at this video and let me know if you have any questions after watching kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6TNeGOnn5tjsKs

[@leiabrowning3925]

@@YourRidingSuccess yes I have! And I’ve tried it all! 😅 (obviously spent more than one lesson working on them but after a couple weeks there was still no difference) 😅 having saddle fitted tomorrow but it’s been 6 months so shouldn’t be too bad!

[@coryjustice4349]

You ar amazing and amusing, thank you !!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed the video :]

[@lafemmefatal]

excited!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Super!!

[@emmafalconer6407]

Thanks so much for the Christmas cheer and latest top tips!! I have taught my horse to walk with one kick and to trot with two quick ones... am I best to retrain her? 🤯💗

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Hey Emma, thanks for the support! You will be surprised how simple it is to re-train her, just give it a go and see how she reacts xx

[@lennyrat4ever447]

Lol omg I love these videos 😀

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Yay!!

[@katkafhorse]

Super video once again, thank you! I have a question…. I ride a horse that likes to throw his shoulders in during the walk>trot transition - I assume it’s an evasion but I’m not sure how to fix it, any tips? x

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Hey there! Good question, try to think better with the "train tracks" do you know what I mean by this? So when you go to make the transition and the horse moves off your train tracks then you correct and try again. If it is very difficult to correct then you may need to work on suppleness outside of the transition ie in trot. Hope this helps x

[@katkafhorse]

@@YourRidingSuccess thank you I’ll try that 👍 xx

[@leiabrowning3925]

How do you get shavings out of woolen rugs?!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Great question! Best way is to shake them off or brush off x

[@nemouzeable]

Another great video :-) I was wondering after your last epic live...how many poucent of your weight are in your feet/thigh/butt in walk/trot/canter? You talked about 90% in our feet. Is it the same case in any gaits?

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Great question! Yes this is the same for all gaits xx

[@nemouzeable]

@@YourRidingSuccess 👍👍👍

[@ladygodiva45]

Hi can i just ask where Natasha is ? doesn't she do this anymore? you are fab by the way :)

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Thanks Tina! Natasha is still very much involved, she is just taking a break from riding so Alicia is here 💥 you can follow Tash on her personal socials and you will see what she is up to x

[@EquestrianFool]

Thank you for the wonderful knowledge! My gelding turns his head to the outside (only when we go counter clockwise), so he pulls/leans on the inside rein because he wants to tip his nose out. He also does this without a rider on him. Often times when I ride him counter clockwise, I feel like I need a &#%$ ton of inside leg just to get him to think about looking to the inside, but the inside bend never lasts. What would your recommendation be for this? Would the Grand Prix hands exercise be beneficial to him? I do a lot of neck flexing at the stand still to try to loosen the muscles up, but once we get moving, he finds it quite challenging to maintain a correct bend through his body. Thanks for your help!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Hi Cassidy, this just means he needs more suppleness and he is turning his head to help him balance also. So yes absolutely Grand Prix hands, so when you need to help him turn you open inside rein to help him and then back to GP hands. Remember you need to help him with his suppleness and balance each ride until he can do it easier x

[@mamoontahir5194]

awesome ,,,,,,,,,,

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Thank you so much 😀

[@zoeysteadman5683]

Any tips on vertical flexion? Or exercises? My horse has great lateral flexion almost too much at times but we lack vertical flexion. Physio done ever month so no problem with poll or tmj. I’ve used plenty of leg yielding to help with lateral flexion and will sometimes get vertical flexion through the leg yield. I know he can’t hold it for too long bc of muscles that he hasn’t really used much of before. Much help would be appreciated!

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Hey Zoey, think about the horse connecting into the bridle and the reason the leg yield helps you is due to the leg yield giving you the required suppleness to connect the horse. Have a look at this video and let me know if you have questions after this kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3OsmpKFa6yJr9U

[@zoeysteadman5683]

@@YourRidingSuccess I’ve watched this video and it helped me tremendously. He won’t stay supple after the leg yield and he wants to go low in the poll and poke his nose out. I’ve been practicing going from wide reins to Grand Prix hands for the past month so he doesn’t rely on me as much. Should I shorten my reins more? Or Should I still be supporting him and ride him with wide hands? He is an extremely long horse too if that helps. I know it will take a lot to get him more rounded. Thanks for ur help!!!!! ❤️💯

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Hey Zoey, sorry for the delay in responding to you! For horses that are long and a bit down in front in balance you will need to work a lot On the suppleness and balance to show the horse he can be both upright in balance and also connected. Use exercises that do both so leg yield and circles/serpentines are great as do both. With hands make sure you only make wide if you need him to follow your rein and once he follows rein then GP hands as this helps you keep him upright also! Try to think your aim is connected into the bridle and supple back but his neck needs to be more up and round - we have some fantastic videos with a horse just like this in our member area, are you a Dressage Mastery member at all? It would help you see it! X

[@thegrayandthebay2977]

How do you work on keeping your arms from becoming chicken wings and flopping? I've been trying a lot of different things to fix it but I still do it sometimes. It would be amazing if you could talk about this! Thanks- Savannah

[@YourRidingSuccess]

Hi Savannah! If you focus on having Grand Prix hands (watch this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJqxp2d9rdR9i6s) this will help immensely and secondly when the horse is connected (watch this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3OsmpKFa6yJr9U) this will also help a lot. Let me know how you go! x

[@thegrayandthebay2977]

@@YourRidingSuccess thank you so much!

[@heatherpike5230]

5am! I'll be watching the recording haha

[@YourRidingSuccess]

😘