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What is in a dressage score?
As dressage riders we have all had that experience of going into the ring and feeling like we rode an awesome test, only to receive our test sheets and be disappointed with the score. Sometimes it may be that what we were feeling and what the judges saw were two different things, but there are…
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EquiMind Online Dressage Competitions
In June, Nonie and I were fortunate enough to be selected for sponsorship by online equestrian competition company EquiMind. The British based company cater for riders across a variety of disciplines including dressage, showing horsemanship and western vaulting and even have specialised classes for blind horses. I had only recently become aware of the…
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Lessons learnt in my medium debut
Two weekends ago Nonie and I danced down the centreline of our first ever medium dressage tests. In the week leading up to this competition my body was filled with a maelstrom of emotions. Excitement, nerves and pride. While we didn’t make take the dressage world by storm, it was a huge accomplishment personally and…
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My love affair with dressage
I love a gallop just as much as the next person, ok maybe not as much as an eventer, as but I do genuinely love the feeling of thundering through the waves at the beach, the salt splashing up in my face. So why then do I ride dressage? Let’s assume that it isn’t because…
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A lesson in simplicity – Lessons with Brett Parbey
When the opportunity to train with Aussie icon Brett Parbery lined up with the Easter long weekend, I knew I wanted to be there. I’ve been a long-time fan of Brett Parbery, having watched him on horses such as Victory Salute and Aber Halo 29. Brett lives and trains in New South Wales Australia, but…
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Flying Changes and Mind Games
Toward the end of last year, Nonie and I started work on the flying changes. Flying changes!!! Being deemed ready to ride this brand new movement felt like a huge accomplishment. It felt like we had arrived! Having now started them, I can’t help but feel that my initial eagerness belied my naivety. I have…
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The Story of Us – How Nonie came into my life
Nonie came into my life in less than ideal circumstances. In 2010, I was a slightly dramatic 22yo, in the second last year of a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics. I’d just broken up with a boy who at the time I thought was the love of my life (second of course to horses) and…