Classical Dressage Training

classical dressage training

Perdido W at the GBPRE Show Hartpury 2026

~ claire ballardie

Here is a short diary about our 2026 show experience at the GBPRE Show at Hartpury 2026.

 

Well, we have been to this show for a few years now, and have our routine for settling in. The knack is to load the lorry in the right order for arrival, so wheel barrow, bedding and hay are the last on, and first off. I have become quick at setting uo my ‘lorry camp’, with camp bed in the horse compartment, and sundowner at the ready once all is set up!

Thursday is settling in day for both me and Perdido after the journey.

Friday

Today was dressage day, with three classes. Being familiar with the arenas, and the stables really helped us to be calm and really enjoy the classes. The process of and warm-up amongst other riders can be daunting, but we mostly focus on relaxation, walking on a long rein, saving our energy for the actual test. This prevents us getting too tired, running out of steam in the test. (this is more for my benefit, as Perdido loves showing off, and announces his presence in the ring by neighing to anyone who will listen!

My husband, Dougald arrived in the afternoon, and we shared a lovely evening with friends at the show, sharing our experiences through the day. My last class was at 9pm, so I was pretty hungry afterwards.

I was so pleased that our results were better than last year. I get a sense of satisfaction from improving,  and Perdido showing a better level of training, despite our scores not being sufficient to be in the prizes.

Saturday

Today was ANCCE showing day, with judges from Spain assessing registered horses in the classes. Perdido was in the 7+ years old stallions, ably handled by Rosie. I had to admit defeat with the running up, and settled for leading Perdido around the arena. Rosie did the technical bits of standing him properly for inspection, and running with him.

In the evening, we did our Alta Esquela test, classical riding in Spanish costume, which is my favourite. Over the last 3 years, we have been the only one in the class, but our scores have improved significantly this year. We have now won 3 medals, one each year, qualifying us for the SICAB show in Spain, thought I think we have a way to go to be of the standard to hike over to Seville!

 

The Grand Parade is the final class, which Perdido loves. Much neighing with showing off is his cup of tea, or rather sangria! I managed to down the cup of sherry offered to riders this time without spilling dowm my front.

Sunday

Sunday morning was the functionality dressage test, the second part of the ANCCE class. I felt a bit tired, so kept the warm-up short, mainly walking. Perdido was on form, again much neighing in the test! I think he was still on a high from yesterday’s parade classs, so i hae to keep the showing off under wrap to keep him caml through the test. Again, I was pleased with our improvement from last year, though we were placed last in the classs.

So, why do we compete? Well, for me it is a way to judge our progress at home in other venues, at different shows, a test of how far Perdido and I have come both in technique, and in confidence in each other. I’d say it is about having a succesful outing, from travelling, packing and unpacking the lorry, managing the logistics of carting everything around, and meeting up with lovely people, old friends, and new lorry park buddies!

 

Equestrian Psychotherapy

~ claire ballardie

Equestrian Psychotherapy

 With many years of experience as both a rider and coach, and as a  psychotherapist  with an equestrian background, I combine many years of experience into my unique approach to help you to get the best out of your relationship with your horse.

When you worry, your nervous system goes into survival mode, looking out for danger. Your horse reacts to your adrenalin levels, and becomes fearful, mistrustful. You are no longer his ‘safe person’. Panicking can lead to poor decision making. I can help you to  prioritise a sense of calm, before making choices.

Some of the issues we can work with:

  • Loss of confidence
  • Lack of trust in your horse
  • Performance anxiety at competitions
  • Residual fear  from riding incidents
  • Post traumatic stress (PTSD) from frightening experiences
  • Grief from the loss of a beloved horse (or human)
  • Lack of self-worth, self-doubt

and more ……………

How can equestrian psychotherapy help?

As a rider, most are aware of learning the physical side to riding, such as your riding position, and the aids. Also, keeping yourself and your horse physically fit and well adds to the enjoyment of being able to achieve your goals. You might aim for a competition, or to be able to hack safely.

Equally as important is being aware of your thoughts and emotional responses to your horse. We will work with getting to know how your nervous system works, alonside your horse’s.

If your horse is spooky, or you feel he does not understand you, I can help you to take a look at what is going on for you emotionally which may be affecting your horse too.

You may face choices about your horse, or your riding career. talking through your options in sessions can give you a clearer picture about your decisions.

My aim is help you to take the stress and worry out of ‘what if’ scenarios which turn up in your mind, thinking logically rather than responding emotionally. learn how to Be aware of your emotional response – your feelings/mood when you are with your horse, or thinking about things in the night. What stresses you? What makes you feel relaxed?

Building a better relationship with your horse is about how you work as a team. Sessions will include ‘talking therapy‘ without the horse, to gain self-awareness  and to explore emotional issues going on for you. We will also work with your body to help you to relax and remain calm with your horse, to improve how you function together.

What happens in sessions?

I aim to help you to work through problems before putting them into practice with your horse. If we are working on-line, we can discuss a short video of you and your horse in action together. We can schedule an initial session to see how best I can be of help. A minimum of 4-6 sessions are recommended to get a good understanding of what is going on for you.

I work with adults (over 18 years) on a one-to-one basis. Sessions can be in person at my therapy centre (without your horse)  or on-line using Zoom. Ridden sessions can be also be done virtually using Zoom.

Prices 

 The Psychology of Horsemanship Webinar  is available from the shop page.

You may find my latest book, The Psychology of Horsemanship supportive in your quest to improve your understanding of your horse.

Claire and Perdido at the GBPRE Show Hartpury 2025

~ claire ballardie

Perdido and I had a lovely time at the GBPRE Show at Hartpury this July. We gained a lot of confidence from competing here last year, so my goal was to improve on last time.  This is a short summary or our experience.

My top tips would be:

  • Practice feeling relaxed all the time – handling, riding, to give you horse confidence in you.
  • Train for everything- dressage tests, loading, in-hand work, and get running. Sadly my running skills were not up to keeping up with Perdido, so I did let him down.
  • Get used to your wearing your Spanish gear- tack and clothes. Including appropriate underwear. (Thank goodness for M&S ‘hold it all in pants!)
  • practice getting your chaps done up (I knocked my time down to about 10 minutes from half an hour!)
  • Practice plaiting. By the last day of the show, my skills were quit passable.
  • Pack your grooming kit with everything you need to hand (including mints.
  • Drink water. All the prep-mucking out, running around with your trolley-is very thirsty work, so stay hydrated. Mind you, make sure you go to the loo before donning said control pants- I sympathise with the corset wearers of olden days who fainted a lot!)
  • Get a festival trolley to cart everything around (last year I had a squeaky wheelbarrow which drove everyone mad!)

Upgrading the horse lorry two weeks before the show added a bit of logistical stress, with putting everything in the right place for grabbing at the right moment.With wine stashed in the wardrobe, and food rammed into the tiny fridge, all angles were covered. The cutlery draw was just the right size for phones, keys and polos!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The planning paid off, ensuring calm transitions between events, with time for a sit down and a beer (kept under the sink) with my ever-patient husband in between, filming our progress.

 

Perdido is now an old hand at these away-shows, and was totally chilled throughout. Although I looked so serious in all the photos, I did actually enjoy it all! It was so lovely meeting up with old friends and enjoying showing our lovely horses.

After a long drive home, it was lovely getting back to recover: to the peace and quiet, and enjoying a hack around the fields. It took a couple of days to unpack the lorry again!

The Rider’s Hands

~ claire ballardie

The Rider’s hands

Our hands are so important when we ride. Your hands are a direct link to your horse’s mouth Paying attention to the feel of the horse’s mouth in our fingers is key to understanding him.

 

 

What do our hands tell us?

  • Feel through your fingers if he is relaxed, or tense.
  • Notice if he calmly mouthing the bit or resisting.
  • Resistence in his mouth indicstes tension in his body. A tense horse will not relax his back and work through to the bit.
  • If your horse is unsettled to the contact, firstly check your hand position is steady with supple wrists.

 

Check for tension in your hands

  • Are your fingers relaxed, and able to hoild the reins without gripping.
  • Tension in your hands can also transfer to your forearms and shoulders.
  • Maintaining a steady, elastic contact is very dependent on your hand position, and awareness of each finger.

Hand stretches to do before you ride

  • With your hands in riding position, clench your fists, and release again. As you do this, you may feel your shoulders and forearms tighten. Release the tension in your hands and feel your shoulders and arms relax.
  • Circle your wrists in both directions. Notice if you have one wrist more stiff than the other. Repeat a few times.
  • Press the palms of your the hands together, and then your fingers, giving them a good stretch. Peel your hands away again. Repeat a few times.
  • Clench your fists tightly with your fingers pressed together. Then open your hand and spread your fingers wide apart to give them a really good stretch.
  • To finish, stand in riding position with your hands correctly placed in front of you with your elbows by your sides.
Correct training leads to a happy mouth

Finally, breath calmly, and imagne the feel that you want to give to the horse, and how your horse would ideally feel in your hands.

Then take this feeling with you on to your horse.

 

 

For further details on looking closely at the rider’s position and aids, go to:

Stop, Go, Turn Book and Training Programme DVD by Claire Lilley

stop go turn
stop go turn

On-Line Horse and Rider Training

~ claire ballardie

On-line Horse and Rider Training

Schedule  a live session with me on Zoom.

pole work

Book a  coaching session (no horse required) to talk through training issues. If you have a film of you and your horse in action (15 mins max), please send it to me beforehand and we can plan your future progress.

Book a ridden lesson via Zoom. I will send you a  link so I can teach you live with your horse. You will need to film your lesson via your phone/iPad. (You will require a clear internet signal.)

Contact me to arrange your training session.

Prices