The Joys of Riding: It Takes Three Lifetimes
Saturday, June 17 2023
Dressage Column By George Williams As a working student in the mid-70s for a well-known trainer in New Jersey, I was quite often told that it takes three lifetimes to learn how to ride and train a dressage horse. After 68 years since I first sat in a saddle (and never missing a year,
- Published in Sidelines Feature, Sidelines Spotlight, Weekly Feature
The Importance of Good Judges
Sunday, January 02 2022
By George Williams Whether they like it or not, today’s dressage judges are truly the keepers of our sport. This is true perhaps now more than ever before. The reason I believe this, is that as our sport grows and matures, it’s becoming more competitive than ever—and, if I dare say, even more sport-like. When
- Published in Sidelines Feature
Contact and Connection: From His Mouth to Her Hands to Her Heart
Saturday, May 01 2021
By George Williams For many, the terms contact and connection are interchangeable. It’s often said that a picture is worth a thousand words, and similarly, in riding, a correct feeling can help us fully understand a single word. In dressage, contact and connection, like so many concepts and words, are best understood once a rider
- Published in Sidelines Feature
The Year Ahead: A Look at Dressage in 2021
Saturday, January 16 2021
By George Williams With 2020 officially behind us, we can hopefully focus on the new year and all that it promises. After living through last year, many of us are full of hope going into 2021. Since this is a dressage column, I’ll focus on the international dressage competition world and what to look for
- Published in Sidelines Feature
Where Has All the Suppleness Gone?
Friday, November 13 2020
by George Williams In my columns, I try to touch on all things dressage. As in every sport, there are many different aspects, several of which I’ve discussed in previous columns. Once in a while I feel compelled to speak out about the principles of dressage training, and now is one of those times. The
- Published in General
Reflecting on Retirement
Wednesday, August 19 2020
By George Williams Our family recently retired a 10-year-old gelding. These are the moments that tend to make us pause to reflect on why we do what we do. As we get older, one of the many questions we grapple with is, when is the appropriate time to retire? For many of us, especially in
- Published in General