I've been to George's clinics for 20 years. You'll see excellent basic Dressage. And my students have had plenty of Championships (local and regional) following his methods. What he says just works. It's almost like magic when you apply his teachings. George is not against Dressage, he is into Classic dressage, not the faddish techniques you see invented today that is just plain incorrect, tapping legs, bobbing heads, sawing hands. His methods have produced some of the best riders in the world.
What a shame that America so misunderstands "dressage." George Morris and so many others lack an understanding of classical horsemanship, the root of dressage which benefits and should be the foundation for any riding discipline - it is patient, truly relaxed, and much kinder to horses. Youtube Walter Zettl to watch videos with a much humbler and deeper approach to riding. I was raised on George Morris but could never go back to his limited mindset having since experienced so much more.
jumper out there. There's a reason America is usually lower on the international level compared to that of Germany and the Netherlands. In those countries, dressage is taught and stressed much more for their show jumpers and I really think America needs to wake up and get with it. Dressage is huge!
@ILuvDressage19 I agree so much with you! You can be a jumper without dressage training, but you will have an edge if you have dressage training. Dressage can also help hunters a lot too. My trainer always said that dressage is like ballet, it is the foundation. My trainer gave me dressage lessons before jump lessons and I think it helps.
@takara9 Exactly! I started out hunter/jumper for 5years and then rode both dressage and jumpers for the past 2years and it has made the biggest difference in the world! I rode with a USDF bronze and silver medalist from Germany for a while and she said that back in Germany her friend was an international show jumper and all the time he would ask her to ride his horses dressage for him because it gave them such an edge! Even in George's hunter seat equitation book (which I have read the entire
thing) Geroge says that dressage is helpful but not very important for jumpers. I think he respects it but really underestimates it's power and its so sad to see the rest of America follow that opinion. Hopefully people like us who have it a little better figured out can start opening people up a little more to dressage because of all the positive effects it would have on horses and riders across our country in all disciplines. (:
that you must always keep a horse 100% straight and then bables on about the importance of shoulder ins. However any basically trained dressage rider knows that in order to even begin training the shoulder in, a horse must first know how to bend through the rib cage, through the neck, and into the pole. You cannot ride a horse perfectly straight in a shoulder in....that is just simply incorrect. I think George could use a few dressage lessons as well as just about ever other "top"
I respect George as a jumper trainer but when it comes to flat work, I really cannot stand to watch him ride. What kills me the most is not the fact that he spends 20min trotting around with dead heavy hands that accomplish nothing more than numbing his horse's mouth and tiring him to the point where he just drops his head from exhaustion and not from suppling to George's leg, seat, or hand. But instead when George says
Curious as to why he would do a rein back with that horse so resistant to contact. Looks like a very tense ride on both parts. Would have asked for a nice round relaxed contact first then GIVE with my reins as he went back as a reward. Interesting...maybe I expect more from George.
I love George Morris <3 Definitely one of a kind.
horsecrazyalways12 5 hours ago
I've been to George's clinics for 20 years. You'll see excellent basic Dressage. And my students have had plenty of Championships (local and regional) following his methods. What he says just works. It's almost like magic when you apply his teachings. George is not against Dressage, he is into Classic dressage, not the faddish techniques you see invented today that is just plain incorrect, tapping legs, bobbing heads, sawing hands. His methods have produced some of the best riders in the world.
pattii55 2 days ago
This is "suppling?" Go watch Buck Brannaman.
jwf6103 1 week ago
What a shame that America so misunderstands "dressage." George Morris and so many others lack an understanding of classical horsemanship, the root of dressage which benefits and should be the foundation for any riding discipline - it is patient, truly relaxed, and much kinder to horses. Youtube Walter Zettl to watch videos with a much humbler and deeper approach to riding. I was raised on George Morris but could never go back to his limited mindset having since experienced so much more.
Dillenburgher 2 months ago 3
Intresting... :)
Strul83 2 months ago
jumper out there. There's a reason America is usually lower on the international level compared to that of Germany and the Netherlands. In those countries, dressage is taught and stressed much more for their show jumpers and I really think America needs to wake up and get with it. Dressage is huge!
ILuvDressage19 2 months ago
@ILuvDressage19 I agree so much with you! You can be a jumper without dressage training, but you will have an edge if you have dressage training. Dressage can also help hunters a lot too. My trainer always said that dressage is like ballet, it is the foundation. My trainer gave me dressage lessons before jump lessons and I think it helps.
takara9 2 months ago
@takara9 Exactly! I started out hunter/jumper for 5years and then rode both dressage and jumpers for the past 2years and it has made the biggest difference in the world! I rode with a USDF bronze and silver medalist from Germany for a while and she said that back in Germany her friend was an international show jumper and all the time he would ask her to ride his horses dressage for him because it gave them such an edge! Even in George's hunter seat equitation book (which I have read the entire
ILuvDressage19 2 months ago
@ILuvDressage19
thing) Geroge says that dressage is helpful but not very important for jumpers. I think he respects it but really underestimates it's power and its so sad to see the rest of America follow that opinion. Hopefully people like us who have it a little better figured out can start opening people up a little more to dressage because of all the positive effects it would have on horses and riders across our country in all disciplines. (:
ILuvDressage19 2 months ago 2
@ILuvDressage19 Dressage for Jumpers, yesterday, today, tomorrow!
takara9 2 months ago
that you must always keep a horse 100% straight and then bables on about the importance of shoulder ins. However any basically trained dressage rider knows that in order to even begin training the shoulder in, a horse must first know how to bend through the rib cage, through the neck, and into the pole. You cannot ride a horse perfectly straight in a shoulder in....that is just simply incorrect. I think George could use a few dressage lessons as well as just about ever other "top"
ILuvDressage19 2 months ago
I respect George as a jumper trainer but when it comes to flat work, I really cannot stand to watch him ride. What kills me the most is not the fact that he spends 20min trotting around with dead heavy hands that accomplish nothing more than numbing his horse's mouth and tiring him to the point where he just drops his head from exhaustion and not from suppling to George's leg, seat, or hand. But instead when George says
ILuvDressage19 2 months ago 3
Curious as to why he would do a rein back with that horse so resistant to contact. Looks like a very tense ride on both parts. Would have asked for a nice round relaxed contact first then GIVE with my reins as he went back as a reward. Interesting...maybe I expect more from George.
michellecoutois 3 months ago
@michellecoutois your questioning a man that is probably one of the best known trainers in the hunter/jumper world....ok thenn
ilovepreciousjim2 2 months ago