In competition, a huge factor to your success is your ability to handle nerves. Riders at every level get nervous so it’s important to learn how to deal with them. Being nervous takes away from your ability to think clearly, and performing what you are perfectly capable of doing. Everything changes at...

Pace should be taught through miles per hour. If you ask riders how fast they’re going at a walk, one will say, “two miles and hour”; another says, “six miles an hour”’ and another says, “five miles an hour.” Well, a walk is approximately four miles an hour. We teach basic pace control and understanding...

Get some professional help so you do not make a mistake such as spending needless money on equipment that very soon you will realize that you need to sell and get the more appropriate thing. Then I advise drivers to volunteer to learn about the aspects of competing in a CDE.

You probably learned to “kick to go” and “pull to whoa” from the very start of your riding career. While this simplistic view of communicating with your horse may get you through the first few rides, you want to learn some finesse. While all the natural aids are important to master—seat, legs, hands...

For amateur riders, the biggest challenge is finding time. Many riders have jobs, and riding is only a hobby. In this sport you really have to put in the time doing your homework, and spending quality time in the saddle. Part of being a successful event rider has to do with ensuring you are capable of...

Simplicity is a basic part of my system; we teach one thing at a time. When we teach a rider about his legs, we don’t worry about his hands. When we teach a rider about a shoulder-in, we’re not too worried he’s got a little roach in his back. If we’re teaching a rider about his release at a jump, we...

Tenseness of the rider is a serious mistake because it translates directly to the horse’s performance. Tenseness should be addressed in preparation. Do your homework so riding at the show will be similar to riding at home. Realize it is only a horse show, and you will have hundreds of shows to follow...

The riding instructor should analyze the pupil and the horse in every lesson situation. Are they compatible in conformation? As for age—well, there’s an old adage: young horse, young rider—no good. I tried it, and I learned it’s wrong. It just doesn’t work. Very often when a poor lower amateur or lower...

The most important thing I impart to my students is to do their best. Don't worry about who is in the audience, who your competition is, or what the audience might think of you. Other things I try to instill in them are good sportsmanship—win, lose, or draw. You must present a positive image inside...

The first thing I try to get people to do is understand the horse a little so they keep themselves out of trouble. That’s very important. The other thing you need to do is when you start looking for your horse, make sure that you like the horse. Make sure you fit that horse mentally and physically...