As seen in The Chronicle of the Horse. Written by Eliza Sydnor Romm. Illustration by Susan DiFelice.
When riding onto a circle, imagine you are on a spiral ramp in a parking garage, heading up to the next level. You ride your horse up and around the circle.
Many riders struggle with their horse falling onto the forehand and losing impulsion, especially when riding onto a smaller circle, like 10 meters. If the rider pulls their horse “down” and around a small circle, the horse will dive onto the inside shoulder to make the tighter turn.
First and foremost, the rider must learn to look up and ahead for their geometry. If you are riding a 10-meter circle at B, as you leave the track, you must look up and ahead to X. Picture your trajectory heading slightly up a ramp towards X. And then as you approach X, look up and ahead back to B. The imaginary ramp continues back up and around to B.
In a well-executed 10-meter circle, the horse engages the inside hind leg more and pushes up and around the circle, lightening the forehand.
Dressage trainer Eliza Sydnor Romm and professional artist Susan DiFelice were first introduced decades ago, when Sydnor’s family hired DiFelice to paint a portrait of her horse. Some 20 years later collaborated on a dressage training video for DiFelice’s website Allpony. In this new “Drawn To Dressage” blog series, we will be sharing their most recent collaboration, which combines their talents and shared passion for education and horsemanship to share illustrated dressage training tips.
Of ‘Knitting Hands’ And Good Hands
Eliza Sydnor Romm, a dressage trainer, shares insights on effective hand usage in riding, debunking the myth that “good hands” should remain still. Collaborating with artist Susan DiFelice, they reveal illustrated dressage training tips in their “Drawn To Dressage” blog series, blending their expertise and love for horsemanship.
The Fallacy Of The Push-Button Horse
Eliza Sydnor Romm discusses the misconception that trained horses are easy to ride, likening their complexity to piloting a jet. She emphasizes the importance of mastering foundational skills like balance and responsiveness to handle advanced movements. Romm collaborates with artist Susan DiFelice to share illustrated dressage training tips through their blog series.
Meet the 2023 PNHS Program Cover Artist, Susan DiFelice!
Susan DiFelice, a North Carolina native, is a lifelong equestrian and the 2023 Pennsylvania National Horse Show cover artist.
Susan holds her USDF Bronze Medal and is a certified ARIA instructor. Out of the saddle, Susan is a professional illustrator, graphic designer, and web developer for large corporations and equestrian businesses.