Dressage Through The Levels
Janet Foy and Debbie McDonald
 Janet Foy-USA
A USEF S and FEI 4* I dressage judge. Janet has also judged national championships and CDI*** in Guatemala, England, Canada, Poland, Australia and Mexico as well as the FEI World Cup League Finals for the United States, Canada and Australia. In 2004 she was invited to judge both of the USET selection trials that selected the Olympic Team for Athens, and in 2006 she judged at the WEG Selection Trials for the United States.
As a rider, Janet has won her USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals and gives clinics throughout the United States. Her students have also won many Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals.
 Debbie McDonald-USA
Olympian, WEG medalist and World Cup winner. Debbie's other accomplishments include wins at both the 2005 and 2004 U.S. Grand Prix Freestyle/Championship/ U.S. League Finals, 2003 Bayer Festival of Champions, U.S. Equestrian Team Grand Prix Championship, and both Individual and Team Gold medals at the 1999 Pan American Games. She was named Equestrian of the Year by the American Horse Shows Association (now the USEF) in 1999, as well as the 1999 United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Female Equestrian Athlete of the Year. Debbie is currently the USA's Developing Dressage Coach.
"Dressage Through The Levels", graciously hosted at Fairwind Farm, CA, Janet and Debbie will help clinic participants to surmount current roadblocks and find their way forward, perhaps even moving up a level.
New Video-PSG
Three PSG tests with scores and commentary movement by movement, from Janet to be followed by training direction from Debbie. One of the areas Debbie focuses on is improving the lateral work with this pair in order to increase the lateral reach in the half pass. Debbie chooses to work with the rider on developing the half pass teaching that when it gets slow and less active, immediately turn it into a leg yield to get the activity back and stop the leaning, once remedied, then go back into the half pass.
New Video-Intermediare
They work at this level on the piaffe and passage. An important discussion is had regarding just how much rigidity or tension the riders body should hold...this is shown and discussed at length. They move on and work with a horse that has uneven lift in the forlegs during the movement and they use a bit of trial and error to fix and or influence this factor. Debbie gives a very effective tool to use for getting the horse to not quit during the piaffe. She also
points out that in the earlier stages of training the piaffe, it is most important to get the horse to pick up the hind feet and hold it up for a moment, or dwell, to get a dwelling reaction is key. Other key points are made and can be heard within the video viewing. New Video-Intermediare/Grand Prix Tempi Changes They work with slightly crooked changes and how to create better changes at this level and a very real discussion ensues over what is realistic for the horse you have. New Video-Grand Prix, Pirouette Work Janet points out that the flying change after the pirouette is on the diagonal line, not at the rail or on the straight side. This is extremely important. New Video-Grand Prix, Half Pass Work
Debbie trains the movement asking the rider to think of always having a slightly quicker tempo because your always going to lose tempo due to the lateral reach, so keeping him active is of utmost importance. Think shoulder in, carrying you across the ring, the haunches are secondary and following.
Dressage Through The Levels
Judges/Competitors/Trainers Forum
Janet Foy and Steffen Peters
 Steffen Peters-USA
Olympian and winner of many world and national titles. WInner FEI Rolex World Cup finals, then went on to sweep the Grand Prix, the Special and the Freestyle at Aachen, something no American had ever done, giving him a unique place in the pantheon of U.S. dressage riders.At the 2010 World Equestrian Games, Peters was the first American ever to win an individual medal taking home the bronze for the Grand Prix, the Special, and the KUR atop Ravel.
"Dressage Through The Levels", graciously hosted by ESDCTA, Janet and Steffen do a wonderful job taking the viewer through the levels. You can see multiple horses at each level, giving you a thorough understanding what the movements are supposed to look like. How the horse should be going. Janet gives scores and feedback and Steffen works individually with the riders to improve their overall performance.
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 Axel Steiner-USA
Axel Steiner has been involved with dressage most his life. Judging and teaching have been his primary horse activities in recent years. Axel holds the highest judge ratings - Nationally "S" and Internationally FEI "O," and has judged so far in 31 countries. More recently he was on the panels for the 2000 Olympics, the 2003 Pan American Games, and the World Cup Finals in 2005. Col Steiner is a member of the USEF Dressage Committee, instructor/examiner for all judge promotions, and faculty member for the USDF "L" program.
Axel leads the Developing Nations Dressage Symposium, which was hosted by the Bear Spot Foundation, August 2011.
This symposium aimed to offer an intensive and high level learning experience for judges, trainers and coaches from the FEI Developing Nations. These include nations in South America and Central America, and Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean Islands.
The Developing Nations Dressage Symposium is a USDF University Accredited Program and is viewable on DTO for submission to USDF for credits. Click here to view for credits. 
New Video-Training Level through Second Level
At first level there is a showing of leg yield and the shallow loop serpentine as required in the 1st level tests. Next at Second level-Axel begins to explain the reasoning behind the required movements and why they are sequenced as they are and how they are the building blocks to the higher level movements. Shoulder in demonstrated. He challenges you to ask yourself if you feel the outside shoulder coming up, lifting...because this is a great way to see if your riding a good shoulder in. Travere and renvere are nicely demonstrated. Counter canter is demonstrated and discussed. Two 10 meter half circles are shown and explained how they are supposed to be executed. Think curved line, straight line, curved line. Axel explains this is purposeful as a balance exercise. A Free Sample Mini-Clip of Full Feature Videos
New Video-Third Level/3rd Level
half pass is shown and discussed. This rider tactfully demonstrates using the whip without disruption to the contact. They also discuss use of the inside and outside leg in the half pass and Axel mentions that it is the inside leg that is the most important, to keep the bend and the impulsion. Emphasizing that you must always sit in the direction of the movement during your lateral work. They next move into flying changes. Extended canter and medium canter shown and discussed. Emphasizing the desire to gain length in stride and length in frame, but NOT to quicken. Next they move into the medium and extended walk. Discussing how to best show off your horse through this movement. They show the release of rein contact required at 3rd level. You want to show NO CHANGE when you do the release, proving that your horse is listening to the riders seat and not the hands. Simple changes are demonstrated. Paying special attention to the downward transition. If you have a good downward you should have a good upward, but not vice versa. Lastly, Axel fields questions from the audience on the use of a snaffle vs. the double bridle. A Free Sample Mini-Clip of Full Feature Videos _________________________________________________________ Previously Released October Videos
 Katrin Bettenworth-GER
As a Pferdewirtschaftsmeisterin, Katrin has achieved more than 150 wins in Klasse S (Advanced) Dressage. As a German Grand Prix trainer and competitor she has taught clinics all over Europe, including Spain, Italy, Denmark and England. Katrin has trained many horses from the lower levels to the Grand Prix including three horses that competed in the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, 2006.
New Video-4 yr. old reality training session A Free Sample Mini-Clip of Full Feature Videos New Video-5 yr. old reality training session. This 5 yr. old Hanoverian, has received an 8 on all gaits and went to the Bundeschampionate. In this warm up the start with long, deep and low in the neck set, focusing on rhythm, relaxation, with forward and straight. Next they work the forward and back in the canter, getting the horse more sensitive to the aids and getting more activity from the hind end. Katrin then hops on board and takes over the ride from her assistant to focus on the 5 yr. old test movements. Canter walk transitions, working towards more collection and counter canter work. Walk pirouettes and the aids are discussed in detail. Medium trot worked on. Work on the halt on the centerline. A Free Sample Mini-Clip of Full Feature Videos __________________________________________________________
Previously Released October Videos
 Natalie Lamping-USA An FEI I judge for the past 15 years she has judged most of the major Olympic and Pan American Games selection trials for the USET Dressage Team. With over forty years of experience, Natalie can offer the insight from a rider's, trainer's, and coach's point of view. She's shown and trained dressage horses as well as hunters, jumpers, and race horses. Her students have won medals at Young Riders, as well as Year end awards in USDF. She has been long listed with USET and has had the good fortune to ride with such notables as Maj. Wikne, Col Nyblaeus, Col. Ljungquist, Georg Wahl, Harry Boldt, Willi Schultheis, George Theodorescu, and Michael Poulin. Natalie tries to help riders reach their goals, be it having more enjoyment with their horse, or becoming a more successful competitor. Natalie specializes in Ride-A-Test clinics, where her insight helps you present your horse in the best possible way to maximize your test score. Her goal is to try to help dressage improve through teaching, coaching, and judging.
New Video-Scored 62.632, Intermediare II/S Level Test, Judge's View, watch test and listen to the judge's movement by movement scores and commentary.
Free Sample Mini-Clip of Full Feature Videos
New Video-Scored 61.842, Intermediare II/S Level Test, Judge's View, watch test and listen to the judge's movement by movement scores and commentary.
Free Sample Mini-Clip of Full Feature Videos
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 Nancy Later Lavoie-USA Nancy is a USEF Bronze and Silver medalist and has had three horses on the Developing Horse List maintained by the United States Equestrian Team. In 1995, Nancy Later made the USET Team for the US Olympic Festival. Currently Nancy trains in the US out of Heartwood Farm in Loxahatchee, FL and Oak Hill Farm in Pepperell, MA. She is a dedicated teacher and trainer and hopes to find her GP horse to take her to the Olympic ring one day! New Video: Tutorial on how to sit the canter. Nancy discusses and shows how to sit the canter. Emphasizing to let the canter go thru you, not thinking of influencing the canter with your seat. She explains the mechanics of the gait itself. Nancy reiterates time and again to focus on the hind leg, not push with the seat and the importance of half halting at the right time, which is when the outside hind leg is on the ground. A discussion and demonstration of the collected canter, working canter and extended canter takes place with explanation on how you use your aids to achieve all three. Free Sample Mini-Clip of Full Feature Videos New Video: Tutorial on getting the walk you want. Medium walk, extended walk and free walk are all discussed and shown. Nancy emphasizes the importance of not pushing with your seat and using your leg to ask for more. She demonstrates the desired reach to the bit that you want to achieve. Free Sample Mini-Clip of Full Feature Videos New Video: Tutorial on why we use polo wraps and how to properly apply them. Free Sample Mini-Clip of Full Feature Videos
Previously Released September Videos
Walter Zettl-GER/CAN A German dressage rider and Olympic-level dressage horse trainer. Zettl became the youngest person ever to be awarded the German Federation Gold Riding Medal, for success in upper level dressage and jumping for a single competitive season. In 1952, he was selected to compete for Germany's dressage team in the Helsinki Summer Olympics, but was ruled to be a professional rider and therefore ineligible. In 1953 Walter Zettl was chosen to succeed Otto Loerke and Willi Schultheis as trainer at Gestuet Vornholz. In 1955, he earned his formal Reitlehrer certification as a riding coach, and began training young champions while continuing to compete himself. He won several awards in the Bavarian Dressage Championships and the Salzburg International Jumping Grand Prix on a horse he rode for the first time. In 1981, he moved to Canada, where he served as Managing Director of the Canadian I.E.S.S. owned by Hans and Eva Maria Pracht. During his years in Canada he coached the young riders dressage team from Ontario which subsequently went on to win three consecutive team gold medals, one individual gold medal, two individual silver medals and one individual bronze medal at the North American Continental Young Riders Championships. In 1984 at the Los Angeles Summer Olympics he served as the dressage coach to the 3-day event Canadian team. Walter Zettl has been a Canadian citizen since 1987 and today he teaches students across the globe. New Video-Para-Olympian training session. Mr. Zettl leads us through this training session with Lauren Barwick as they work on creating more response and sensitivity with her horse. He emphasizes an active hind leg and uses trot, almost walk, to trot transitions to create this. The rider is encouraged to do this with a gentle connection and soft hands, always remembering to half halt and let go. He suggests using shoulder in or renvere to get the horse using the hind leg...which ever he does better and has more engagement within. Focus is on canter/walk transitions aiming to achieve fluid balanced transitions. Free Sample Mini-Clip of Full Feature Videos
New Video-Training Level Basics. This video with Walter Zettl works on the basics- establishing an elastic and subtle contact with the horse. He asks the rider to encourage her horse to stretch into the contact while keeping an active hind leg. He asks the rider to think be active, be ready, in the walk, so that she can ask for what ever is next and the horse is prepared. In this section they work on getting a good gait with activity and balancing that with correct contact. They move into a bit of leg yield work and then into transitions, again to activate the hind end. Walk halt transitions moving into canter work. Focus on canter transitions. Zettl reiterates to the rider the need to keep the contact when asking for the canter.
(videos shown at greatly reduced size)
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Rafael S oto-ESP Rafael Soto Andrade is the head trainer of the Spanish Riding School in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. Aboard Invasor he participated in three Olympic Games: Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. They were also the second best performing Spanish pair at the World Equestrian Games in Rome (1998), Jerez de la Frontera (2002) and Aachen (2006). With Invasor, he showed at four European Championships and finished in the top ten riders in both the World Equestrian Games in Jerez in 2002 and in the Athens Olympics in 2004. New Video-Grand Prix. In this video they work the half pass zig zag breaking it down into different section before putting it all together. Rafael uses some different exercises to create soft even and honest contact continuously bringing the rider back to thinking supple, soft neck, with reach. Rafael also works with the rider on creating immediate smooth transitions from the piaffe. Free Sample Mini-Clip of Full Feature Videos
Jody Hartstone-NZ Shortlisted for Athens Olympics on Landios o and the 2010 WEG qualified rider for Dressage representing New Zealand, Jody teaches and lectures worldwide emphasizing her training based on scientific principles of behavioural theory. "The rider's aids are all trained systematically and one at a time," Hartstone explained. "One should be careful not to apply two cues at once and ensure that the pressure-release aids (reins or legs) are trained effectively before one moves on to subtle aids like the seat. Basically reins are there to slow down, legs to go, reins to turn and leg for yield. Most important is to train the legs of the horse before training its frame. It is very different from what we see in many training yards where horses are sent to. With them rein pressure and reins are no longer effective to slow down the horses' leg. Paramount is self carriage. The horses are taught from breaking in to hold their own rhythm, direction and outline." New Video-Understanding Your Horse's Brain, Part 7 of 7 part series. Classical Conditioning. Free Video shown at reduced size (full size video available by logging onto DressageTrainingOnline.com) 
Colleen Kelly-AUS Biomechanics specialist, rider and judge, Colleen focuses on the science of rider physiology. She analyzes, tests and improves balance, co-ordination and timing of the rider, e.g.:assessing what is putting the horse on the forehand, testing and improvement for falling in & cutting corners, analyzing why the horse slows down for speed sports like eventing and games, improving the independent seat so the rider can give light, imperceptible aids, assess imbalances between the left and right sides, improves specific rider issues such as sitting trot, stiller legs, better hands, and knowledge of correct aids for advanced movements. New Video-Seat and Posture Classroom Lecture. Within this multi-part lecture Colleen explains and shows with pictures, proper vs. improper seat, back, leg, heel, hand, arm positions and goes in depth to explain impact on horse and rider and finishes with focus on the correct position and how to apply it to your own riding. __________________________________________________________
 Charlotte Bredahl-USA
Charlotte Bredahl-Baker was born and raised in Denmark. In 1992 Charlotte and her horse, Monsieur, were part of the bronze medal winning Olympic Team in Barcelona. Charlotte has represented the United States in many international dressage competitions. In 1979, she moved to the United States, where she has been training dressage horses ever since. In 1985 Charlotte earned her dressage judge's license. Today, Charlotte is a USEF "S" judge, FEI "C" judge and trainer/clinician. New Video-2nd/L Level, test prep and instruction on components within second level tests. Focus on getting the horse moving correctly and listening to the inside leg, moving into turn on the haunches, the lateral work, counter canter and simple changes. Free Sample Mini-Clip of Full Feature Videos shown at reduced size New Video-Counter Canter Tutorial, Charlotte focuses solely on the counter canter, showing exercises to gain balance and discusses typical issues that arise during this work and how to overcome those issues. New Video-Leg Yield Tutorial, Charlotte focuses solely on the leg yield, the most basic of training exercises but also one that is so important and used at the highest levels. Free Sample Mini-Clip of Full Feature Videos shown at reduced size | 
