Laura Bechtolsheimer works with youngster Dan

Laura works her six-year-old, Dankeschoën(Dan), at home in three different sessions over a four month period. He is aimed at Prix St Georges in the short term and Grand Prix eventually. The youngest rider to win the National Championships and to represent Great Britain in dressage, Laura made her Olympic debut in 2008. In 2009 she won team and individual medals at the European Championships. Introduction: Horse Hero's Fiona Price sets the scene at the Bechtolsheimers' fabulous yard. Warm-up to collection: Laura demonstrates her progression from warm-up through to collection and explains what she expects at this stage from a youngster. De-mystifying lateral work: Laura rides a sequence of exercises building up to half pass, including shoulder-in, travers and renvers. She also explainsthe aids and the positioning of the horse for each movement. The start of piaffe: Dan's education is progressing noticeably. Klaus Balkenhol gives Laura a lesson in German and Dr B translates. Dan is now capable of greater self-carriage and collection. His boundaries are pushed a little with the start of piaffe! Lara talks about Dan: Lara tells us about Dan's breeding, conformation and personality. Bandaging for exercise: Laura demonstrates the art of bandaging with pads.