Intensive dressage courses

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rachk89

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Hey next year my dad has suggested that i take my horse to somewhere where i can do an intensive dressage course like 3-4 days of work with a dressage instructor. Wanting to know if anyone knows of anywhere as I looked on Google and generally found very expensive places, places near London or just the normal riding holidays that don't look like they will be the level I want. I would obviously need to keep my horse there so it would be like a riding holiday type thing but for proper schooling.

I saw one place in Fife called maclennan dressage horses that seemed pretty good has anyone heard of them?

I would prefer somewhere in Scotland or North England but can maybe talk my dad round to a slightly longer journey. Southern England is out of the question though.

I would like it to be with someone who is well known for dressage not just some random person. If i am travelling a long way they need to be really good.

This isn't for right now it will be next year so it's not urgent. But thanks for any suggestions. :-)
 
Sounds silly. What can you learn intensively about dressage? It takes years to develop a good seat, a soft hand, perfect balance & harmony with your horse and so forth - there are no short cuts.
 
matt_m said:
Sounds silly. What can you learn intensively about dressage? It takes years to develop a good seat, a soft hand, perfect balance & harmony with your horse and so forth - there are no short cuts.
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Sorry I can't help with locations OP as I am way down south. I do have to disagree with Matt_M though. 2-3 days immersed in dressage boot camp can make the world of difference. It doesn't mean taking short cuts, but some intensive training can really be a boost in terms of both confidence and competence. Good luck OP - hope you find something and have a great time. x
 
Not silly at all. Best way is probably to look at dressage clinics in your area, perhaps advertised on the BD website or through your dressage instructor. The clinician will probably be there for a few days so you can book several lessons and also watch other people's lesson. It's a very good way to learn. You also sometimes get theory/talks thrown in with the clinic.
 
nikicb said:
Sorry I can't help with locations OP as I am way down south. I do have to disagree with Matt_M though. 2-3 days immersed in dressage boot camp can make the world of difference. It doesn't mean taking short cuts, but some intensive training can really be a boost in terms of both confidence and competence. Good luck OP - hope you find something and have a great time. x
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Agree ^^
I do at least one long weekend each year at AM Dressage in Glos, way out of your area but I come home buzzing and always having made a huge leap forward in our training. Next one booked for April - just have to keep all the wheels on at least one horse between now and then... ;)
 
matt_m said:
Sounds silly. What can you learn intensively about dressage? It takes years to develop a good seat, a soft hand, perfect balance & harmony with your horse and so forth - there are no short cuts.
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2 lessons a day, the opportunity to watch lots of other riders being taught, watch top class riders school their horses with an explanation of what they are doing and why. Sit with like minded riders over 3 meals a day. agree it's not going to make anyone a top class rider but it's an interesting and stimulating experience which will inspire most people. Look at AM dressage website or look at your BD area training and matt.m stop being so snotty!
 
Palindrome said:
Not silly at all. Best way is probably to look at dressage clinics in your area, perhaps advertised on the BD website or through your dressage instructor. The clinician will probably be there for a few days so you can book several lessons and also watch other people's lesson. It's a very good way to learn. You also sometimes get theory/talks thrown in with the clinic.
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This is best idea. Local BD would also know of any visiting trainers who would be doing clinics.
 
Cheers guys. We get clinics at the yard I am at and I really like the main dressage trainer we get but I would love to get some advice from a higher level person. We had Erik mackechnie once and I got a private lesson with him but I want to do like a couple of days worth of clinics with someone like him, to go away for a long weekend or half a week and just work on our dressage primarily. My horse could be bloody brilliant but I have never trained a horse before so need help from those that have.

Will check out those websites and Somerford park too. Keep the suggestions coming like I say this won't be until next year anyway. Not going away while the weather is crap haha.
 
I posted a few weeks ago looking for this type of thing for 3 relatively advanced riders just grown out of PC camp. (With our branch anyway - I know others cater more widely.) I haven't made a decision yet but we were recommended here http://www.lusitanocymru.co.uk

And Castle Leslie in Ireland - but I'm not shipping the horses! Also Talland and Wellington - but one of mine is a WP at Wellington anyway and another already has regular lessons at Talland. But the options might work for you.
 
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