STRIDE Dressage of Ocala, FL

07/10/2025

Chances are most of you reading this are STRIDE members -thank you. But membership is only part of the story. Have you volunteered this year? We cannot do it without you!!

How to Change the Horse World (Without Becoming a Committee Betty)😎

Alternative title: Join a Horse Club. Or Watch Them Die While Complaining on Social Media.😬

⚠️ Long post warning: But if you’re passionate about helping horses, tired of watching the sport slip away, or still experiencing low-level PTSD from a past committee role—stick with me. There will be laughs. Possibly tears. Definitely head nods.😜

Disclaimer: This post is satire. That means it’s meant to entertain, raise eyebrows, and maybe nudge you lovingly out of your comfort zone. Please read with a sense of humour, not a pitchfork.

Let’s be honest: you didn’t get into horses because you love a well-chaired AGM.

You didn’t grow up dreaming about setting up six dressage arenas at stupid o’clock with a head torch, half the helpers missing, and the other half unsure whether K goes before M or how to measure 20 metres.

No, you got into horses because you were born with The Gene—the one that makes you sniff leather like fine wine and mistake horse hair, sweat, and crushed ambition for the scent of joy.
And yet—and yet—If you really love horses…If you really want to see them thrive in the real world (not just in perfectly filtered paddock pics)…Then I’ve got news for you, my hay-stuck-in-your-clothes friend:
It’s time to get your high horse off its high horse—and join your local horse club.

➡️Clubs: Not Just for Boomers with Clipboards Anymore
Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z: I’m talking to you. Clubs are where stuff actually happens.

Events are held. Skills are built. Confidence is tested. BBQs are burnt beyond recognition. No one cleans their yards properly. And someone always forgets the sugar for the judges’ tea and gets quietly exiled from the canteen.

But something tragic is happening: Clubs are withering. Events are dying. Committees are run by three exhausted humans and one Bossy Pants Betty who’s been in charge since The Saddle Club was on TV..

Why?

Because no one wants to help.

Because the local Dressage Queen once got snippy over the draw and now you're emotionally traumatised.😫
Because Phyllis won’t share the keys to the gate.🙄
Because Dave—who hasn’t ridden since Howard was Prime Minister—still insists on designing the cross-country course with a ruler, a vengeance, and a grudge against “flow”.😵‍💫

➡️But here’s the truth bomb:

You can’t change horse culture from the stands. Not with arms folded. Not with a snide remark about someone’s “tense” horse. You’ve got to step into the clubhouse, the tent, the sausage sizzle—and BE the culture.

➡️Why Clubs Matter (Even If Meetings Do Your Head in)

Clubs are the pressure cookers of progress. They’re the social petri dishes where horses grow, riders evolve, float tyres are borrowed, and someone always has a girth when yours is mysteriously missing.

You see real life. Not curated Instagram fairytales with matching saddle pads and invisible problems. You see horses lose the plot. You see riders try, fail, cry, cheer. And you learn.

You find out:

Which vet is actually good.
Which bodyworker doesn’t peddle moon crystals.
Which farrier shows up and answers texts.
Where the best clinics are.
Who to trail ride with. And sometimes… a lifelong friend.

➡️“But Shelley, I hate committees…”

Oh, you sweet summer child. Everyone hates committees. They’re where dreams go to die—usually by subcommittee.😆

Yes, there are clipboard tyrants who cling to their role like it’s a sheep station. Yes, there are martyrs who treat the jump wings like heirlooms. Yes, there are governance nerds who think conflict resolution should involve a lawyer and a spreadsheet.

But do you know what fixes that?

YOU.

You, the kind, capable person who doesn’t immediately suggest renaming the club after their heart horse. You, who quietly turns up to set up cones, pencil a few tests, and doesn’t offer unsolicited training advice with your hands on your hips.

You dilute the crazy. You tip the balance. You bring that rarest of equestrian virtues: competence without ego.

Because everything in the horse world grows from culture. And culture grows from the people who show up.

You want better horse welfare? Hold the gate and check the equipment.

You want inclusive, educational, empowering events? Write the draw. Pick up the poo. Smile.

You want people to listen to your views on training and biomechanics?

Earn it. By being useful. By being friendly. By being the kind of human people feel safe around. Because people don’t learn from the Judgy McJudgerson muttering at C. They learn from the one who stood beside them in the rain and said, “You’ve got this.”

➡️A Personal Plea from the Arena of Action

If you live near Camden, NSW—I need you.
Come join me and my excellent fellow committee members at Camden Dressage Club.

We run relaxed, inclusive, community-powered events in my beautiful historic hometown. Our committee is full of genuinely helpful, friendly people (shocking, I know), and we desperately need a few more humans with working limbs and kind smiles to:
Pencil a test. Make a cup of tea for a judge. Check some gear etc. Be the person who turns up and makes things better.

Because if I’m going to make a difference in this sport, it won’t be from a soapbox. It’ll be from the scribe box, the marshalling area, and the judges car—with a clipboard in one hand and purpose (or a pooper scooper) in the other.

➡️“But how can you stand seeing horses struggle?”

I don’t stand it. I understand it. I see people doing awkward, messy, borderline bonkers things with their horses because they’re overwhelmed, scared, and doing their best.

Just like I did. Just like you probably did. Or do.

But someone once stood beside me and didn’t make me feel like a failure. They just helped. Quietly. Kindly. Without fanfare.
And that’s why I show up. Because maybe, someday, someone will look across the warm-up and ask me something— And maybe I’ll say something that helps them, and in doing so, helps their horse.

And that, my friend, is how we change the sport.

So. Are You Helping?

Because change doesn’t come from snarky social media comments. It comes from humans. In real time. With real horses. Doing real work.

✅ Things to Do Now...before it is too later

👉 Live near Camden? Join us at dressage . Message me. Stalk our website. Put your hand up. I have put links in the comments!
👉 Nowhere near Camden? Excellent. Google your local club. Email them. Offer to help. Don’t wait until you’re “good enough.” Clubs need you as you are.
👉 And for the love of horses—be the kind of person that makes people want to come back. That’s how the culture shifts. That’s how the sport grows. That’s how horses win.

So pull on your boots, grab a clipboard, and let’s go change the world—one sausage sizzle, test sheet, and warm-up area chat at a time.

IMAGE📸: See how beautiful our Camden grounds are - and no, I didn't see any horse freak out at the hot air balloons 😜‼

07/09/2025

USDF BOOK CLUB TONIGHT! Anne Gribbons! https://www.usdf.org/education/book-club.asp?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLbvTNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHo-oDZuiP-Z09D0AVxqm2VvXNTqXze_-wdKrmSQklBwK7cNs1JHrPuqGePs6_aem_TuorQXpgeBlRnGesYxUENg

07/07/2025

We spend so much time trying to fix the horse, spurring them forward, fiddling with the bit, asking for softness, “more forward,” “more round”…
But what if the real fix starts with you?

Small rider imbalances like a heel lifting in the rise, or a pelvis that tips incorrectly in the canter send big signals to the horse. Signals that say:
⚠️ “Slow down.”
⚠️ “Brace.”
⚠️ “Something’s not right.”

It’s no wonder so many horses disconnect, resist, or struggle to “come onto the bit.”
They’re just trying to cope.

When we shift our focus inward on how we move, how we feel, and how we influence the transformation in our horses is undeniable.
💡 Riding becomes clearer.
💡 Communication becomes lighter.
💡 And the horse finally has space to move with freedom.

It’s not just better for their welfare it makes the whole process of riding so much more enjoyable.

06/30/2025

USDF PM members! Last day to vote is today June 30!

06/26/2025

Western riders! Important!

: Total Saddle Fit recalls Shoulder Relief Saddle Cinches due to fall and injury hazards. The cinch can come apart and cause the saddle to fall off, posing fall and injury hazards to the rider. Get a free replacement. CONTACT: email [email protected] or at www.totalsaddlefit.com/recall

This recall only includes cinches sold prior to August 2021, which can be identified by a Shoulder Relief Cinch with a round buckle and no center elastic on the cinch.

More: https://cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Total-Saddle-Fit-Recalls-Western-Saddle-Cinches-Due-to-Fall-and-Injury-Hazards

06/24/2025

Don’t scrape your horses!

Sweat Scraping Horses During Cool-Down: Why the Myth Persists and What Science Says

For generations, horse owners and many professionals have followed the traditional practice of sweat scraping — using a rubber or metal tool to remove excess sweat or water from a horse's coat after exercise. One of the most enduring beliefs tied to this practice is that you must sweat scrape to help your horse cool down properly, especially after hosing them off in hot weather. But is this actually true?

Let’s take a closer look at the origins of this belief, what modern science says, and whether sweat scraping is still necessary.

The Origin of the Myth
The myth likely stems from a time before we understood thermoregulation in horses. It was commonly believed that leaving water or sweat on a horse would trap heat and slow cooling. Sweat scraping became routine, especially in barns without good airflow or with heavy-coated horses that took longer to dry.

The logic seemed sound: remove moisture quickly to speed up cooling and prevent chills or overheating. Over time, this practice turned into a widely accepted rule — even though equine science has since moved on. I actually remember having to do it for my BHS exam.

What Really Happens When You Hose Off a Hot Horse
When a hot horse is sprayed with cool water, the water absorbs body heat and then carries it away as it runs off or evaporates. This is the primary method by which water cools the horse — not by being scraped off immediately.

Key point: The cooling effect comes from the transfer of heat from the horse to the water, not from how fast you dry the horse.

In fact, studies (including those conducted by the University of Queensland and other equine researchers) have found that continuously applying cool water over the horse’s body is the most effective method of reducing core temperature — especially during hot and humid weather. This technique is used in endurance riding, racing, and eventing, where managing a horse’s temperature is critical.

Should You Still Sweat Scrape?

The short answer: Not necessarily — and certainly not to help cooling.

Here’s when you might still want to sweat scrape:

• To remove excess water after hosing if it’s cool out and you want to avoid your horse staying soaked.

• To prevent water from pooling under tack or rugs.

• To help speed up drying if your horse is going back into a stall or needs to be groomed quickly.

But if your goal is cooling the horse, especially in hot conditions, scraping is not required and may actually interfere with the cooling process if it interrupts cold water application.

The Takeaway: Let Go of the Myth
Despite decades of tradition, the idea that you must sweat scrape a horse to help them cool down is outdated. Cooling a horse effectively is about keeping cold water flowing over their body, not about drying them quickly.

In fact, many top equine veterinarians now recommend leaving cold water on — and reapplying it repeatedly — during a cool-down after heavy exercise, especially in summer.

So the next time someone says, “You have to sweat scrape to help them cool down,” you can confidently — and kindly — explain that it’s no longer supported by science.

In Summary:

✅ Cold water helps cool the horse by absorbing heat.

✅ Reapplying water is more effective than scraping it off.

❌ Sweat scraping is not necessary for cooling.

✅ Scrape only if you want to speed drying or reduce discomfort ( for example some horses dont like the feel of dripping water, but most shake and have a roll afterwards ).

It's time to move beyond tradition — your horse will thank you for it.

Ft baby Moomin after his first bath 🤎

06/18/2025

Mark your calendars! Wednesday, July 9th, 2025, at 8 PM ET, we will sit down with author Anne Gribbons and talk about her book Collective Remarks. Her insight, experiences, and wit really shine in this collection of her articles written over 20 years for The Chronicle Of The Horse.

Register to attend here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_H2-0FUdeR2exlvnYB8mgZg #/registration

USDF members, if you have any questions for Anne, email them to: [email protected]

If you would like to learn more about the USDF Book Club, you can find out more here: https://www.usdf.org/education/book-club.asp

06/18/2025

Interesting exercise!

Training Tip Tuesday. Zig zag leg yield + Figure 8. Leg yielding is an excellent precursor to lateral movements - while some will call it the first lateral movement - where the horse is moving from the inside leg to the outside rein and stepping underneath the body. This is an excellent exercise for encouraging the horse to step under the center of gravity, compress the hock and send the body sideways. It engages the inside hindleg thus increasing the carrying capacity, as well. When done correctly, this will increase impulsion, balance, coordination and suppleness. The figure 8 helps to improve suppleness and prepare the horse for the leg yield back to the rail by putting the horse onto the new outside rein.

In the leg yield, it is important not to bend the horse's body. Rather the horse should have a slight flexion opposite the direction of travel. Essentially, the horse's body should remain parallel to the rail. The rider should use the outside aids to prevent the horse from falling through the outside shoulder. It is also important that the rider maintain the rhythm of the gait, as the horse may become slightly stuck, especially when they are first learning to go forward and sideways. In this instance, it may be helpful to think about riding a step or 2 forward for every one step sideways.

Often riders find going away from the rail more difficult than going toward the rail. This is an excellent test of whether the horse is truly on the aids. If needed, you might try starting on the quarter line to begin the leg yield toward centerline to help prevent the horse from becoming stuck on the rail. Once the horse understands the exercise and what is being asked, then begin on the rail and proceed as shown.

06/11/2025

The ABCs of preparing for the show season.

Wednesday Wisdom... When prepare for the competitive season, remember your ABC's.

Accuracy - The movements are not a means to an end. Rather they prepare the horse for the work to come. Riding accurate geometry in your test not only prepares the horse for the next movement or level, but it also demonstrates the quality of the training to date.

Basics - The horse's test is only as good as his/her foundational training. If the horse is struggling with the basics, the more advanced parts of the test will also be a struggle. The Training Pyramid and the purpose statement on the test provide valuable insights into which aspects of the horse's training are a priority at that level and each level builds on the previous levels. So, it is imperative that the horse and rider have a good understanding of what is expected and that they learn to execute those directives properly in order to be successful.

Collective Marks - If you read the collective marks, it gives a pretty clear picture of what the judge is looking for in the horse and rider. The Gaits, Impulsion, Submission, Rider's Position & Seat and Rider's Correct and Effective Use of the Aids - essentially, does the horse move as it should and does the rider support the horse adequately and correctly. If the horse and rider are working correctly in regards to the collective marks, the scores for the individual movements of the test should score well also, so long as the rider rides an accurate test.

You DO NOT need a big, fancy horse to do well in dressage... You do need to be diligent in your training in order to optimize the natural ability of your horse. Not every horse will make it to Grand Prix. But good, quality dressage training will improve your horse's mind and body, so that he or she becomes a willing and happy partner.

06/11/2025

Training Tip Tuesday. Shoulder ins with a figure 8. This challenging little exercise really tests the rider's ability to be accurate. As always, the shoulder in really helps the horse to bend around the inside leg and increase the carrying capacity of the inside hind, while improve the shoulder mobility of the inside front leg.

When ridden correctly, the horse will be properly connected to the outside rein. The use of the Figure 8 in the middle helps the rider to prepare the horse for the new shoulder in because the bend of the horse should remain the same when riding the volte and the shoulder in. The rider can add the volte in the corner prior to beginning the shoulder in if needed to help prepare the horse for the appropriate bend to initiate the shoulder in.

Be careful not to allow the horse to deviate from the line of travel or merely fall through the outside shoulder. Remember, your head and shoulders should be in alignment with the horse's head and shoulders - otherwise you may cause the horse to become unbalanced. The inside rein does not bring the shoulders off the track. If you overuse the inside rein in this exercise, you will block the inside hind leg, cause the horse to fall through the outside shoulder and create tension in the neck and back.

If you want to add variety and see the result of the inside hindleg engagement, you can also add a lengthening down the long side. This will help you to see how the shoulder in helps increase the horse's impulsion and carrying capacity. You may also find that the horse lifts the shoulders more willingly in this lengthening because of the engagement created in the shoulder in.

For those with horses that are not quite doing shoulder in yet, you might thinking about riding a 10 meter volte in the corner and riding a little shoulder fore out of the volte. You will ride a full 10 meter of the rail and the continue the 10 meter on to the centerline. Think that you are going to continue the circle back to the rail, but instead apply the inside leg and outside rein to encourage the horse to travel down the centerline for a few strides. Then straighten the horse and begin the figure 8 sequence at X before trying a few steps of shoulder fore in the new direction.

06/02/2025

Registration