STRIDE Dressage of Ocala, FL

06/04/2026

Calling all artists!!

CALLING EQUINE ARTISTS: Show us your work for the 2026 USDF Arts Contest! 📸🎨

We are seeking photography and artwork submissions for the following age categories:
🔹15 and under
🔹16 to 21
🔹Adult

Division winners will receive gift certificates to the USDF Online Store and have their artwork featured in the yearbook issue of USDF Connection, on the USDF website, and on YourDressage.org. On top of the division prize, the Grand Prize winner will have their artwork featured on the cover of the 2027 USDF Member Guide.

📆Entry Deadline: July 1

To learn more and enter, visit the link below:
🔗 https://www.usdf.org/awards/other-awards/art.asp

✍️🎨 2025 USDF Arts Contest Grand Prize Winner: “Fait Accompli” by Lisa Curry Mair

06/01/2026

Are you an AA trying to balance horses and life?

It’s All About Balance ⚖️

"I don’t think adult amateurs are given enough credit for all that they balance, especially when working full-time. Most have careers and families, but we carve out the time to spend with our horses to train, compete, or even just spend time with them. Sometimes that means very early hours or very late hours at the barn, not being able to participate in events that happen during working hours, and missing out on other fun things because of scheduling. "

Here, an adult amateur and USEF 'r' Technical Delegate from USDF Region 9 touches on a topic that many of us horse people are still trying to master: work and life balance.

Read it now at the link below:
🔗 https://wp.me/padgUY-qkq

✍ Christina Harmon
📸 Muhammad Ribkhan/Vecteezy.com

05/29/2026

Super education!

Don't miss this opportunity to "Be the Judge" alongside the pros! 👩‍💻

Join Cesar Torrente (FEI Level 4/5* Judge and USEF 'S' Dressage Judge) and Kari McClain (FEI Level 3/4* Judge, USEF 'S' Judge, and USDF L Program Faculty) as they review the most recent tests on the You Be the Judge platform, made possible by The Dressage Foundation’s Mary Anne and Walter McPhail Judge Education Fund. 💛🖤

Don't miss it... this session is sure to be educational and engaging for all dressage enthusiasts!

📆 Wednesday, June 24, 2026
⏰ 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT

Register now at the link below:
🔗 https://bit.ly/4eb348F

05/28/2026

Super interesting read

Clinic Report: Suzanne Galdun 📝

"Suzanne, who turns out to be a wizard, was able to quickly connect the dots between my hip issues and positional weaknesses... As a result of this work, my instructor, Leah, noticed that my tendency to balance and over-position with my left hand had vanished, as I was finally working with my right side more 'on-line.' Sorcery, right? Nope. Somehow, just biomechanics."

First appearing in the North Woods Dressage Association newsletter, "The Accent" (June 2025), this article was a nominee in the 2025 GMO Newsletter Awards for first-person experience articles for GMOs with 75-174 members. 🎖️

Click the link below for an inside look at this rider's clinic with biomechanics expert Suzanne Galdun:
🔗 https://wp.me/padgUY-qgh

✍ Meghan Gantz
📸 Rider vertical balance, from Principles of Riding (Kenilworth Press), p. 68

05/27/2026

Congratulations to all of the competitors that participated in our May 2026 Online Dressage Show!

Remaining 2026 Online Show Series Dates:
• June 19–28
• September 11–20

✔ Ride & video your test anytime
✔ Submit online
✔ Receive scores and judge feedback

Reminder: Detailed videoing and submission instructions are available at dressageshowonline.com.

05/27/2026

Stephany Fish Crossman has a webinar scheduled with Dressage Today.

Your position has been holding you back and now's your chance to fix it! 🙌✨ ​
The Dressage Today+ second seminar of the year is HERE with biomechanics expert, USDF medalist & one of only 9 accredited Ride With Your Mind
coaches in the entire U.S., Stephany Fish Crossman!
🐴💪​

📅 June 2nd… mark your calendars, set an alarm, write it on your hand, whatever it takes!!​

You'll get to hear all about rider biomechanics, balance, straightness, and all the things your trainer has been trying to tell you 😅 this s the seminar your body (and your horse 🐎) has been waiting for!​

Don't miss it… sign up to be a DT+ member today!

05/24/2026

An oft-forgotten exercise, the 10m loop benefits every horse’s strength, balance and suppleness. They can also work as a gentle introduction to counter-canter. Plus, it’ll sharpen up a rider’s use of aids. Read more below

05/24/2026

Square halts!

A square halt is not just about getting the horse to stop evenly — it’s a reflection of balance, straightness, connection, and preparation.

Most halt problems actually begin several strides BEFORE the halt.

If the horse is:
▪️falling onto the forehand
▪️heavy on one rein
▪️crooked through the body
▪️rushing or bracing

…the halt will usually show it.

A correct square halt should feel like the horse steps UP into the transition rather than collapsing into it.

🔹 The reins say: “Wait.”
🔹 The legs say: “Keep stepping underneath.”
🔹 The seat says: “Rebalance and stay connected.”

One of the biggest mistakes riders make is pulling for the halt without enough leg support. When this happens, horses often:
▪️leave a hind leg out behind
▪️halt crooked
▪️brace against the hand
▪️lean on the forehand
▪️lose straightness

A good halt is ridden FORWARD into stillness.

Straightness is also essential. If the shoulders drift or the haunches swing, the horse cannot halt evenly. The horse must stay balanced between both reins and both legs all the way into the transition.

One important thing to remember:
A halt that is not square is usually a symptom of imbalance during the approach — not a problem that started once the horse stopped.

Because of this, constantly trying to “fix” the feet while standing can actually create:
▪️fidgeting in the halt
▪️loss of immobility
▪️tension and anticipation
▪️dependency on the rider repositioning the legs

Instead of micromanaging the feet in the halt, it is often better to:
✔️ quietly walk forward again
✔️ rebalance and straighten the horse
✔️ ride into a new halt with better preparation

This teaches the horse that a square halt comes from:
▪️balance
▪️engagement
▪️straightness
▪️self-carriage

—not from manually placing the legs.

Helpful exercises for improving square halts:
▪️walk-halt-walk transitions
▪️centerline practice
▪️shoulder-fore before the halt
▪️transitions within the gait
▪️leg yield into straightness
▪️frequent rebalancing half halts

The quality of the halt always reflects the quality of the ride leading into it.

When the horse is balanced, straight, attentive, and connected, the square halt becomes much easier — and much more consistent.

05/24/2026

A reminder to stretch your horse.

05/23/2026

Super list of many exercises.