Differentiating between RingCraft and Dressage training.

Catapult your progression further and faster with a two pronged attack, regular dressage Training WITH regular dressage RingCraft lessons too.

Whatever the level of dressage that you’re working (or competing) at, RingCraft is not a substitution for Dressage training. They should go hand in hand, then progression will be propelled. The optimum time between Dressage training lessons for the maximum benefit to way of going / learning of the horse and rider depends on the horse, on the rider as well as a multitude of other factors, including soundness, financial constraints and ‘life’ getting in the way. On a recent Fb post, mosts competitors suggested that  2 - 3 weekly intervals worked for them best.

Dressage Training
People get people. You need to be able to get your dressage trainer on a level that’s motivational, inspiring and fun. Clearly he / she should be more experienced than you and understand (work to) the ‘scales of training’. It’s their job to help you establish rhythm in the 3 paces, to encourage and improve suppleness with a multitude of different exercises. Contact is the next box to tick, so not only should they be able to micro-manage your position and the way you ride to encourage a stable and elastic connection, they should be able to help you with which bit to use and suitable tack to get the job done well. If possible and if required, it’s good to get a trainer who’s capable and willing to get on top and understand the feel you’re getting as this will get you both on the same page quicker. There are benefits to having a trainer that can ride and teach the horse movements before you attempt them, on occasions.
Dressage trainers can advise on the schooling routine you use, how often to school, hack and rest. He/she can comment on your horse’s condition, fitness levels and muscle tone and so advise on feed and supplement recommendations. Basically they’re there to hold your hand as much or as little as you need. If your family is involved with horses and/or you have horsey friends around you in your yard that can help and advise you on lots of aspects then your trainer will need do less for you outside of the arena.

Dressage RingCraft
RingCraft is different, very different.
Dressage is about the movement of the horse first and foremost but it’s about the performance from entering at A to the final salute. There is a huge array of ways that the rider can affect this performance positively, that judges are trained to reward and also to avoid certain things that are not so pleasurable to watch.
Quite often trainers can train, mothers can help their daughters and sons, but it’s not until what is felt on top is married to what’s seen from the ground and followed up by a comment and a mark, at the time of execution, does it really sink in. Then the opportunity to repeat the movement again riding it differently and getting a different comment and mark on your earpiece, really cements just how easy it is to improve your performance. After all, a great deal of time, effort and money has already been put in, so why not get the best performance possible riding what you’re on, on the day?
Dressage Ringcraft clinics are not new, and there’s no right or wrong format. But using the earpieces, judging, commenting, marking, training and suggesting different methods of movement execution, every single slot in the 20+clinics has resulted in noticeable improvements in performance. It’s become clear over the past 6 months that although a ‘one off’ session is helpful, the new professionals are enjoying monthly clinics on different horses at different levels with different tests.

In Conclusion..
To me, the two go hand in hand and both dressage Training and dressage Ringcraft are required to get the very best return on your sporting investments. One without the other will still result in progression, but both incorporated into your routine is likely to catapult your progression further and faster. Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to work with trainers such as Antonia Brown, Tahley Reeves-Smith, Emma Wooley, Okke Kroll, Charlotte Thomas, Emma Jablonski, Justine Armitage, Maddi Burchell and Nicki Crisp. Over the coming month and years I’m looking to work with others too, to help them instil into their clients how to give RingCraft advice to the wider dressage and eventing community.