The Rider Effect

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Specialist in improving the rider's seat, with an ultra-sharp eye, and some ground-breaking solutions!

Hi all, I am a dressage and biomechanics coach who has been practising my passion for just shy of 40 years. Through my work with rider biomechanics, and later applying equine biomechanics knowledge to my own training, I have been lucky enough to have travelled to many different countries, coaching what is now known as 'The Dressage Secret'. These are the little details, the small seat changes, and the innovative techniques that fill in the knowledge gaps which every rider has. I hope to give you some inventive solutions to the problems that bug us all - for none of us are perfect, and we all know how hard it is to ride well. In with that, I am hoping that this page will also provide a support network for you, as well as a safe space to ask questions, explore ideas and exchange knowledge. In my career I have been told that the horses I have chosen to train are somewhat 'ordinary'. After 4 decades of working with them, I have to wonder whether there is really such a thing. I believe that all horses are extraordinary - whether it is their fabulous athleticism, their quick mind, their generous nature, or simply their ability to accept us, along with all our flaws - each one teaches us and gives us so much. In amongst my 'ordinary' horses, was my beloved Piper - an Irish heavyweight hunter, with whom I competed at Advanced level, and with whom I also first learned to train the higher movements. I hope you enjoy being part of this community, and I hope your drive to learn new things never leaves you.

30/10/2026

Escape from the arena! I think that we need the mental downtime as much as our horses do.
My lovely Diesel is teaching me to love hacking again, after a few horses that convinced me it was just a matter of what kind of death I was opting for today! (Think squished by a skip wagon, spooking at a squirrel, bolting from a rustly bag...)
The very wonderful Kate Osmaston BWRT-Today has massively helped me to conquer my nerves and truly enjoy riding in open fields again.
Little shout out here to my fabulous 4 year old Matilda, who didn't need a babysitter at all - she is so brave!)
And of course, to Clare Atkins who is the best support team ever!
Thank you Clare for riding all the babies so well.
If you love hacking, tell us all about it, and if you have been terrified like I was, please call Kate Osmaston - the woman is a genius!

29/10/2026

A valuable mental exercise to improve physical performance!
Try this when it's too wet/dark/cold to ride and become a better rider from the comfort of your armchair!
The more detail and realism you build in the better - particularly if you can mentally override mistakes with a new version of you.
As always, let me know how you get on.

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28/10/2026

I'm about to show you one of the many unbelievable connections we have throughout our bodies.
Literally everything is connected- and not just within you either.
Connections between you and your horse can be so incredible in what they reveal.
Our horses are so very sensitive, but so so forgiving.
Here Diesel helps me to find a functioning left side to my torso - and I hope I helped him right back.

27/10/2026

The working core helps to keep relaxation in the joints - whilst helping the abdominal muscles, thigh and pelvic muscles to stay stable during movement.
If we look at the mechanical forces acting on our bodies when we ride they are pretty big! Even an average moving horse generates forces in many directions in the trot, the canter and even the walk.
The stillness we see in World Class Riders is down to high muscle tone and an ability to precisely match the movement of the horse.
My 62 year old version is not to that standard, but is here in this video for you!
Lots of room for improvement but hopefully you can see the difference.

26/10/2026

Confused about Core? Here's a foolproof way to find the right muscles and work out exactly what to do with them.

25/10/2026

Our last video of Anne's tailor-made intensive- giving more help with understanding asymmetry.
The first part shows us exactly why she is struggling, and in the second section Anne talks about what she gained from her 2 days with us.

24/10/2026

Latest Review!
Annie Marshall - 5 star Google review.
"I visited TDS from Brighton for a 2 day trip and had both simulator and riding lessons with Denise. Her attention to detail and expert knowledge of biomechanics has given me clear changes to make in my riding going forward. I appreciated the clear instruction delivered with warmth and fun and was able to practice the adjustments straight after simulator lesson riding Chardonnay who was also an excellent teacher! Everyone at the stable was very friendly and I left with so much more confidence and I'm grateful for the time I spent there with Denise as she is so knowledgeable. I thoroughly recommend visiting if you want to improve your riding, even if you are not in the area and hope to visit again soon."

TDS Riding Centre, Tong
Owner
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Thank you so much for your review Annie! It was truly a pleasure to coach you!

23/10/2026

Here's a little tip about creating a really soft following contact-
You may know that the movement of the horse, especially in trot, has to 'go' somewhere. When the elbow knows how to move, the contact is soft.
Start by shrugging your shoulders in time with your sitting trot, then limit the shrug to your elbows alone!
Let me know how you get on with this one.

21/10/2026

All about stirrup length!
In the first few clips here I show you how to measure your stirrup length to make sure they are actually both even with a handy little trick!
Then, if you watch to the end there are some good tips on how you know when your stirrups are at the correct length for you.
Enjoy this 'back to basics' one, and as usual, let me know your thoughts.

20/10/2026

And now for something completely different!
Teaching my husband a jumping lesson ❤️
Archie has a naturally long stride, so mostly we focused on getting the trot or canter we wanted.
Simple - but that doesn't mean it's easy!
As Kieron and Archie don't get to jump very often, keeping the focus on the rhythm, rather than the fence, made a huge difference.
It was great seeing them have so much fun!

Address

Church Farm, Friars Lane, Tong
Shropshire
TF118PW

Telephone

+447814286988

Website

http://www.tdsridingcentre.co.uk/

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