Sheridan Dressage LLC

04/14/2025

WEC April is a wrap!
Despite starting the trip limping my trailer into the venue due to a runaway tire on the Turnpike, the weekend was a great success.

Anne & David's Avatar and I continue to improve our partnership under Anne's guidance, steadily improving scores in the PSG to 69% and taking our first I-1 qualifier.
Kara & Mouse competed together for the second time, working toward feeling comfortable in the ring and improving test riding accuracy to earn a 63% in first level on Sunday, their second Bronze medal score.

As always, thank you to everyone! It takes a village, truly. 😳

04/09/2025

https://www.eurodressage.com/2025/04/07/holsteiner-sire-indoctro-passed-away

Holsteiner Sire Indoctro Passed Away

04/06/2025

Yes, proposed Tariffs on horses imported from EUROPE pose an Issue—But We Can’t Control That. So What Can We Control?

‼️(Do NOT comment about tariffs…❣️DO comment about training cost solutions)

The current conversation around potential tariffs on imported horses from EUROPE has a lot of people talking—and worrying.

But even without tariffs, the U.S. and Canada face a long-standing challenge that impacts every breeder, buyer, and young horse:
The high cost of showing and travel for young horses.

While Europe produces affordable, well-started horses with mileage, U.S. and Canadian-bred horses often are higher priced and therefore pre not as competitive in the market—not for lack of quality, but because of the sheer cost of development.

Let’s break it down:
• In Europe, a young horse can get extensive mileage for under $500 at FEI shows.
• In North America, those same levels can cost $2,500–$7,700 in entry fees alone.
• The high costs of venues, prize money, sheer travel distances, and regulations make showing prohibitive for many breeders and trainers.

So what can we actually do about it?

Let’s stop waiting for the system to change and start building a better one—together.

Here’s what’s possible:
• Create local “show-style” training days:
Neighboring barns can rotate hosting small groups (3–5 horses/hour) for schooling in a new environment.
No ribbons. No stress. Just exposure, miles, and development.
• Lean into city, county or state-level circuits:
These offer a professional, affordable stepping stone that helps horses—and riders—gain confidence without the financial strain of FEI or USEF-level events.
• Make young horse development a community 🤝effort:
Breeders, riders, and trainers working together can reduce costs, increase opportunities, and support horses from the ground up.

Tariffs or no tariffs, we decide how we bring up the next generation of North American sporthorses.

Let’s make it easier to raise and develop great horses—right here at home.

Tag a barn, a breeder, or a trainer who’s already doing this—or wants to. Let’s connect and collaborate.

04/06/2025

** 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗗 𝗢𝗡 𝗗𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗟𝗘𝗦**

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗥𝗘𝗜𝗡 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗣𝗜𝗘𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗔 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗙𝗙𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗟𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗔 𝗗𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗟𝗘

𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗞𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗲-𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲, 𝗛𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘆𝘁𝗼𝗻, 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀, 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗿, 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘆

Open Access (read without subscription): https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/7/1058


We believe this is the first study to quantify rein forces and bridle pressures in high-level horses (PSG and above) when wearing a double bridle compared with a snaffle, a significant step forward in advancing our understanding of the use and application of a double bridle.

We appreciate that this is a polarised topic, with many opinions and thoughts on the use and application of a double bridle. Two previous studies have reported the possible effects of a double bridle, but these studies used naïve horses and/or could not differentiate whether the observed effects were due to the double bridle or other factors like a noseband, therefore, the current study adds to the knowledge base. As with all our research, we aim to deliver high-quality research that can advance our understanding and influence decision-making.

We welcome discussion, however before commenting, please read the below limitations, which we have acknowledged in the manuscript.

🐴We studied high-level horses ridden by highly skilled riders regularly ridden in professionally fitted bridles. Therefore, future work is needed to determine if the same results apply to less experienced riders.

🐴We have reported curb rein forces and appreciate that these forces do not represent the intra-oral forces. As discussed throughout the manuscript, we have not measured oral pressures. At present, there is no validated method to measure oral pressure. Whilst some groups have produced estimates, it remains to be seen experimentally if these are valid.

🐴Horse behavioural elements have not been included as they are under review elsewhere.

While this study has limitations, it is the first to compare the double with the snaffle bridle, and it is hoped that it will provide a springboard for future studies in this area.

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆:
In this group of horses and riders very little differences were found in noseband forces between bridles. The greater weight of the double bridle applied higher minimal, maximal and mean occipital forces due to greater weight of bits and cheekpieces in the double bridle. Rein tension did not differ between the snaffle bit of the snaffle bridle and the summed forces of the bridoon and curb bits of the double bridle in walk/canter but were lower for the double bridle when in collected trot. The force applied to the curb was less than the bridoon, and forces on each bit of the double bridle were less than for the snaffle bridle.

All bridles should be professionally fitted. The double bridle should only be used by skilled riders and must not be used to cover up training issues. Riders need to take responsibility and discuss the use of a double bridle with experienced trainers and only use one if they are confident in how to use it, and the horse is appropriately trained and monitored throughout.

As always, a massive thank you to the research team, assistants, riders, owners and horses. And Hartpury University Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE) for funding this project.


𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:
The FEI did not fund this study.
The authors funded Open Access publication

03/29/2025

Dema & Juguete 💕
Congratulations to Sue on the recent purchase of Dema's "brother," Juguete. After the unexpected loss of Eileen last year, I'm very thankful that her beloved horse found a home with Sue and that he gets to stay in my program.

03/25/2025

A successful show weekend -
(pictured)
Mouse & Kara won both classes and achieved the beginning of their Bronze medal scores at First level at their first show together.
Max & Alex completed their First Level Bronze scores and earned a Q for Regionals.
(not pictured)
Jade & Vicki continued work on the PSG.
Diana & Ravenna continued their work at 4th level and ended up AA Reserve Champion!

Congrats to everyone! 💕

03/13/2025

Asking for sugar BEFORE she's even been mounted... Tell me the horse is spoiled without telling me the horse is spoiled! 😅

03/10/2025

March WEC, feat. Ravenna & Avatar
PC:
Devoucoux

03/10/2025

On this rainy Monday, we rest and recuperate from last weekend's busy horse show. Ravenna had a big weekend, stepping up to fourth level with her owner, Diana, and PSG with me. Avatar and I continued to develop our partnership at the FEI levels. Alex and Max overcame adversity, stepped up to second level, and obtained the last first level score toward their bronze medal.

As always, a big thank you to Anne for unwavering coaching and mentorship, my parents for supporting my efforts even when I'm not at the horse show with my own horses, my students for working hard to produce good results, and our horses for having an impeccable sense of humor about it all!

02/28/2025

This message is for those who don't want to be normal. If you want to fit in, stay safe, be average, I understand and respect that, it's the normal thing to do. But then this email isn't for you.

Also note: This post is about dressage, but it's also not about dressage.

I was browsing the international rankings of the FEI CDI 1* and noticed that just over 400 riders participated at that level.

There are an estimated 175,000 dressage riders in the world today.

That means only 0.2% of the dressage riding world competes at the lowest level of the CDI ring.

I came to a couple of conclusions.

🔹Dressage is insanely hard. The odds are against you. If you're riding at PSG or above, you should pat yourself on the back, you've made it much further than most people ever will. Don't underestimate that accomplishment. It's huge.

🔹Getting to PSG or above is not the norm, in fact, it's statistically improbable. If you want to ride at that level too, you have to be willing to approach your entire life with a different mindset.

Doing what's normal or average, is doing what everyone else is doing. That makes up the very definition of normal. Normal people get normal results.

But, you can't stand out, achieve more, be more, do more, or succeed more, while doing what everyone else is doing.

You have to approach things differently. It's a fundamental necessity.

This is where things can get challenging. You can't always look to your peers because chances are they are normal too.

You have to be the one to break away, to forge your own path. It takes courage and strength, a vision. You have to believe it's possible or at the very least, worthy of the pursuit.

If you want to stand out, you can't fit in.

Big dreams take big risks, and having the courage to chase them isn't for everyone.

But if you want to push the boundaries of what you're capable of, you have to go all in.

And that....is far from normal.

02/09/2025

https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2023/11/great-stallions-krack-c/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIVzONleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHcFgcgYsdTt_LxCFIIuXHim9Ou2ZqoEbn###5-X7r2iTWafwnrJxi-Bngw_aem_S4MhwGlGLBcon7LkLSNnxQ

Great Stallions: Krack C Posted on November 1, 2023November 1, 2023 by horsemagazine 1992 Brown 1.69 m The story of Krack C is important because he marked the real beginning of dressage specialised breeding in Holland, but also because it highlights the role Holsteiner stallions played in the develo...

02/06/2025

Available:

Black 16.1 2018 Hanoverian gelding. Athletic, handsome, correct conformation. Very people-oriented. Schooling third level with changes confirmed. PM for more information.

01/23/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/19vX4AdmnE/

Analysis of participants in the Markel/USEF Young and Developing Dressage Horse Championships

01/08/2025

This very cute and thoughtful present a young student gave me absolutely made my day! I love it so much that I felt the need to share with the world.

NEVER forget your inner "horse girl" ❤️

01/02/2025

What an awesome Christmas present Kara and Mouse received - a beautiful new Devoucoux! 😍 Thank you