When Two Spines Align: Dressage Dynamics

Within riding there exists a fundamental conflict of interest: The rider needs to have control—her confidence depends on her ability to control the balance of her own body as well as that of her very powerful horse. The horse, by nature, needs to feel free—free in both mind and body to express himself through physical movement.

Readers will discover how to use “positive tension” and what the author calls the four physical “Powerlines”—Vertical, Connecting, Spiraling, and Visual—to become balanced and effective in the saddle. Readers will then find ways to understand and manage the horse’s balance and coordination challenges, including the fact that he is inherently crooked and naturally inclined to do too much with his front end and not enough with his hind.

Ultimately, the rider learns to regulate and monitor the horse’s rhythm, energy, flexion, alignment, bend, the height and length of his neck, and, finally, his line of travel by properly aligning her spine with his. When the center of gravity of a balanced rider is directly over the center of gravity of a balanced horse, that place where two spines align becomes the hub for rider and horse harmony—a dynamic and remarkable riding rapport that yields beautiful performance.

THE AUTHOR BETH BAUMERT trains horses and riders at Cloverlea Dressage LLC in Columbia, Connecticut, the farm she and her husband Alan have owned since 1973. For many years, she produced videos of the Aachen Dressage Show, as well as other instructional videos/DVDs, so American dressage riders could aspire to the European standard. She is a USDF-Certified Instructor; she was the initial editor for Dressage Today magazine and has served as its technical editor for most of the years since the magazine’s beginning in 1994. In that capacity, Beth is in constant contact with the best dressage riders in the world as they discuss and write about the technical aspects of dressage. Beth is on the Board of Directors of The Dressage Foundation (TDF) and serves as President.