What is TRUE Classical Dressage?

This is a question asked by many, answered by even more, and each answer is different!

A truly classical way of riding always aims to accentuate the beauty of the horse; not just his physical beauty, but the beauty that lies within his willingness to please us and to understand us.

Through understanding the horse's real beauty, one realises that it is not something to be exploited for the sake of sport, money, or any other reason. A central theme in Classical Dressage is to RESPECT THE HORSE at all times.

Modern Dressage riders and trainers are continuing to over bend their horses, subjecting them to the painful position known as 'rollkur'. This position of hyper-flexion of the neck (when the nose is very much behind the vertical) can cause a number of very serious physical problems for the horse, as well as breaking the horses trust in his rider.

Collection is the ultimate goal in most dressage systems; however, many top level riders have their horse more on the shoulders in piaffe than when the horse is running free in the paddock! In modern dressage competitions, the horses seem like no more than machines, with buttons pushed to produce a very mechanical looking performance. Where does the skill and art lie in training and riding a horse in this way?!

The emphasis of our training is based on creating a partnership with the horse - not a dictatorship.

If you wish to have a connection with your horse that is truly light and sensitive, if you wish to ride and train with ease and not force, then CDA can help you on your journey to bring out the very best in you and your horse.

Rebecca McDonnell

Email is the best way to contact Rebecca at classicaldressage@live.com.au or
phone Rebecca on 0432 340 142

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Hi Bec,

Just thought I'd drop you a quick note to let you know how Poppy and I are going with the training.

She is like a completely different horse, I feel like she has been trapped inside her own body because of the way I was riding her (listening to many famous Olympic level dressage coaches). Now she is light, forward and sensitive - she wants to work, she seems so happy to be with me.
The other day, she was so light and responsive it was like riding on air, and I was crying because I had never felt like that on a horse before!
I am so grateful to you for persisting with me - so many others told me that I couldn't 'do dressage' with Poppy, but do they really know what dressage is?!
Thank you so much Rebecca, I wish I was still in Oz but I'm sure it won't be long until you start traveling all over the world. You are far better than any other instructor and trainer I have ever had and you always have a place to stay when you finally come over to the US to teach!

Kristy and Poppy

Thank you for being such a patient, kind and honest instructor - something which is lacking in most today. You have really helped me to understand that sometimes you have to break away from the accepted norms and question whether those methods are really in the horse's best interests. Thank you for opening my eyes to a better way of training - Cody thanks you as well!

Janice and Cody

Rebecca, you have taught me what dressage is really about... thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Rachel and Chica

The improvements in Gallie have been amazing to say the least since the start of the clinic...He is so happy now...and so am I!

Kylie and Galliero

I will never go back to that low handed, harsh way of dressage again - after only a few sessions with you, it felt like I was riding a completely different horse, the horse that I had always dreamed that Bear would be. Lauren and Bear