Qualia Dressage LLC

10/26/2021

Tuesdays, amirite? 🤪#horsetrainerlife #ifyouknowyouknow #equestrian #dressagetrainer #dressagetrainerlife #devilmouse

Tuesdays, amirite? 🤪#horsetrainerlife #ifyouknowyouknow #equestrian #dressagetrainer #dressagetrainerlife #devilmouse

10/25/2021

“Instruction does much, but encouragement everything.”
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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📸: @bethanypphotography
#dressage #dressagetraining #roadtograndprix #kwpnhorse #dressagehorse #equestrian

“Instruction does much, but encouragement everything.”
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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📸: @bethanypphotography
#dressage #dressagetraining #roadtograndprix #kwpnhorse #dressagehorse #equestrian

10/19/2021

Congratulations to everyone on their success at Regionals! We had a great time and got a few horses qualified for USDF Finals as well.

Abby Rowe and Freewill had an outstanding showing, winning both the Junior Team and Fourth Level Jr/YR championships on 68%+ scores with lovely, harmonious riding. So proud of this team.

Jessie Ginsburg and Vodermus had some unfortunate tension problems in their I-2 championship, ending up in 5th. Still so proud of these two, who only moved up to I-2 in August. Anyone who has done that leap knows how hard it is, especially when you and your horse are both green to it.

Carol Thomas and Gentle were 8th in the Second Level MFS championship, and third in a huge Second Level AA championship with a solid 66%+. This team is all qualified for USDF Finals!

Lucy Tidd and Ellert HB had a fantastic go in the Grand Prix MFS championship, earning a 71%+ and placing 4th. In the Grand Prix AA championship they received a 64%+ for 3rd. Lucy and Kayla were Reserve Champion in the First Level AA championship with a 72%+. Both horses are qualified for USDF Finals as well.

Hans and I struggled with some tension at the beginning of this show, but he got better and better as the weekend went on. We were 7th in the Fourth Level MFS championship, with a huge unfortunate problem in one movement that put me way off my music and pattern. But on Sunday we had our best go of the weekend, earning 5th place and a wildcard score for Finals with a 68%+ in the Fourth Level Open division.

Very proud of everyone. It was a fun (albeit long and exhausting 🤪) weekend, but we had a lot of laughs and everyone was so supportive of one another. Looking forward to a break in showing, and getting to train without interruption for a while.

Photo of Hans in the ring by Kyle Peiffer.
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@customsaddlery #dressage #dressagetraining #usdf #equestrian #marylanddressage #dressagecompetition

10/06/2021

A few of my favorite photos of Hans at Devon, taken by the very talented Richard Malmgren!

10/04/2021

Closing out the weekend at @dressageatdevon with a victory lap. Thank you, Hansi. 🖤 #handsomehansi #kwpnhorse #dressage #dressagerider #equestrian #dressagetraining

10/04/2021

So this happened today! So, so proud of Hans for winning Fourth Level Test 3 today at Dressage at Devon with a 67%+. This was a challenging show for him with the electric environment, and he got better and better every day. Still working on being able to keep the level of relaxation and swing we have in the warm up in the show ring, but I know it will come with time and experience. He is just the sweetest, most genuine horse—it’s an honor to work with him, and I just love him so much. 🖤

Huge thank you to my coaches Jeremy Steinberg and Ali Brock for their help prepping for this show, and to JJ Tate for the super coaching this weekend. Thank you as well to Richard Malmgren for taking beautiful photos, and being so encouraging.

Thank you to everyone involved in getting ready for this weekend—my sponsor Custom Saddlery / Cate & Theresa - Maryland Certified Saddle Fitters for making sure Hansi’s saddle was fitting perfectly, Kevin Oyarzo with his impeccable farrier work, and the whole Locks Edge staff, who care for all of the horses so well. Not to mention all of my friends and clients who were so supportive in person or via text! You’re the best.

09/27/2021

Qualia Dressage has an opening coming available for a partial or full training horse. Our program focuses on teaching correct equitation and clarity of aids to riders, and developing horses up the levels with thoughtful, systematic training. We have helped students earn USDF Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals and freestyle bars, and earn placings at regional and national championships such as USDF Finals, USEF Young and Developing Horse Championships, USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals, and NAYC.

Trainer Siobhan Byrne has earned USDF Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals, and Silver Bar for Musical Freestyle. She has brought multiple horses up the levels to FEI, and endeavors to create thoughtful riders who understand the choice and application of exercises to improve the horse. She continues to build on her own education through regular work with Jeremy Steinberg and Allison Brock.

We are located at Locks Edge in Poolesville, Maryland. A premier dressage facility, Locks Edge offers extensive turnout, a large, bright indoor with dust-free footing, and numerous other amenities. We have a wonderful, supportive community of passionate dressage riders at all levels.

For more information, visit www.qualiadressage.com and PM or email [email protected]ssage.com.

09/21/2021

“If you are working on something that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.” — Steve Jobs
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📷: @richard.malmgren
#mondaymotivation #dressage #dressagetraining #kwpnhorse #dressagerider #equestrian #handsomehansi

“If you are working on something that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.” — Steve Jobs
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📷: @richard.malmgren
#mondaymotivation #dressage #dressagetraining #kwpnhorse #dressagerider #equestrian #handsomehansi

08/12/2021

Chestnut variety pack of small, medium, and XXL today! 🧡🧡🧡
#dressage #finnishwarmblood #rpsiwarmbloods #prehorse #dressagehorsesofinstagram #equestrian

Chestnut variety pack of small, medium, and XXL today! 🧡🧡🧡
#dressage #finnishwarmblood #rpsiwarmbloods #prehorse #dressagehorsesofinstagram #equestrian

08/03/2021

We all had a great weekend at Dressage, By Chance?—Saturday, Jessie Ginsburg and Vodermus won the FEI Musical Freestyle Challenge with a 71.25% (I-1), and Lucy Tidd was second with a 70.75% (GP). Unfortunately, poor Hans got a bit overwhelmed with all the excitement during my ride in the USDF Musical Freestyle Challenge, and I had to withdraw.

Austen Gage and her boy Bast earned a 63.5% in their first go at 2-3 and earned the TIP award at Second Level.

Sunday, Carol Thomas and Gentle snagged a 2nd place ribbon and their last qualifying score at 3-3 with a 64.6%.

Hans and I had a much better go, earning 70.48% at 4-3 and earning Fourth Level High Score.

Thanks to Michele Wellman and team for a great show, as always.

We all had a great weekend at Dressage, By Chance?—Saturday, Jessie Ginsburg and Vodermus won the FEI Musical Freestyle Challenge with a 71.25% (I-1), and Lucy Tidd was second with a 70.75% (GP). Unfortunately, poor Hans got a bit overwhelmed with all the excitement during my ride in the USDF Musical Freestyle Challenge, and I had to withdraw.

Austen Gage and her boy Bast earned a 63.5% in their first go at 2-3 and earned the TIP award at Second Level.

Sunday, Carol Thomas and Gentle snagged a 2nd place ribbon and their last qualifying score at 3-3 with a 64.6%.

Hans and I had a much better go, earning 70.48% at 4-3 and earning Fourth Level High Score.

Thanks to Michele Wellman and team for a great show, as always.

07/21/2021

Playing catch up on show results! Hans earned High Score at Fourth Level at Rosinburg Events LLC’s Virginia Summer Dressage with a 69.86%.

Thank you to my client and friend who let me take her lovely boy Emaico down the centerline at Prix St. Georges. This was a fun catch ride—I have ridden “Mikey” a bit at home, but never through a test at all until this show! We earned a 65.4%, and I was awarded the Best Seat award for the FEI levels! Thank you, Mikey. ❤️

Lucy Tidd and her herd did great, with Ellert HB having two solid GP tests, L’Amour Fou winning both Fourth Level classes with scores of 67%+, and Kayla winning her First Level class on a 68%.

Playing catch up on show results! Hans earned High Score at Fourth Level at Rosinburg Events LLC’s Virginia Summer Dressage with a 69.86%.

Thank you to my client and friend who let me take her lovely boy Emaico down the centerline at Prix St. Georges. This was a fun catch ride—I have ridden “Mikey” a bit at home, but never through a test at all until this show! We earned a 65.4%, and I was awarded the Best Seat award for the FEI levels! Thank you, Mikey. ❤️

Lucy Tidd and her herd did great, with Ellert HB having two solid GP tests, L’Amour Fou winning both Fourth Level classes with scores of 67%+, and Kayla winning her First Level class on a 68%.

07/19/2021

We had a super weekend at Dressage at Lexington, as you can tell by the photo. And that’s even missing two more blue ribbons, two more Challenge class ribbons, two additional Reserve Champion SHAC ribbons, and an Overall High Score ribbon. 🤪

Carol Thomas and Gentle debuted at Third Level in style. With scores from 63-66%, they were first or second in all of their classes, and even earned a couple of 9s.

Jessie Ginsburg and Vodermus won their I-1 class on Friday with a super score of 69.265%. Saturday they were Reserve Champion in the FEI Musical Freestyle Challenge, and placed 8th in the I-1 Challenge on Sunday. They were also Reserve Champion for the PSG/I-1 SHAC.

Lucy Tidd and Ellert HB won their GP class on Friday, and earned 4th in both the FEI Musical Freestyle Challenge and the Maestro Cup. They were also Reserve Champion in the I-2/GP SHAC.

My Hans was 6th in a very competitive PSG Challenge on a 68.5%, and won the USDF Musical Freestyle Challenge on 75.6%. He also earned High Score MFS on Saturday and Overall High Score MFS of the show.

Thank you VADA, Bettina Longaker, and all volunteers for an amazing show!

07/19/2021

Our winning freestyle from Saturday! All of the music is Florence + The Machine.

07/19/2021

An excessive amount of ribbons for one ride, but I’m not complaining! Hans was a star, winning the USDF Musical Freestyle Challenge at Dressage at Lexington this weekend with a 75.6% (Fourth Level). He also earned High Score MFS of the day, and Overall High Score MFS of the show. We had very limited practice time (I finished editing my music Tuesday, and we left for the show Thursday! 🙈) and despite some nervousness about the atmosphere in the coliseum, he came through for me. The most amazing boy. 🖤 Thank you to my sponsor @customsaddlery for allowing us to perform at our best, fitted by the wonderful @ridetimesboutique .
#dressage #dressagehorse #dressagehorsesofinstagram #kwpnhorse #horsesofinstagram #handsomehansi

07/17/2021

Super proud of this wonderful boy for earning 6th with a solid 68.5% in a very competitive PSG Challenge at Dressage at Lexington! Our first awards ceremony. 🖤 #handsomehansi #dressage #dressageshow #awardsceremony #equestrian #dressagehorsesofinstagram #kwpnhorse

Super proud of this wonderful boy for earning 6th with a solid 68.5% in a very competitive PSG Challenge at Dressage at Lexington! Our first awards ceremony. 🖤 #handsomehansi #dressage #dressageshow #awardsceremony #equestrian #dressagehorsesofinstagram #kwpnhorse

07/05/2021

We had another great clinic with @jeremy_steinberg this weekend. Hans was a rock star as always—here’s a little clip of some piaffe work.

Thanks Jeremy, for your insight, attention to detail, and humor—I so appreciate your help with my horses and students.

#dressage #dressagetraining #dressurpferd #roadtograndprix #kwpnhorse #horsesofinstagram #handsomehansi

06/25/2021

Fun flashback to Waki and me doing our I-1 freestyle at the Great and Small benefit event. This horse was such a blast to perform with. It’s been a joy to see him teach my students. 🖤 Thank you to Sierra Stewart for the video!

06/21/2021

Principles of Horsemanship: Part 9 – Mentality | The Horse Magazine

“That the horse is not a reasoning creature matters a great deal. Overestimating an animal’s mental ability leads to all sorts of assumptions that have bad consequences for horses. That the horse doesn’t reason means he is an entirely innocent partner in the training process. The horse cannot be blamed for misdemeanours or poor performance – these are due largely riding or training or health problems. When a horse behaves in ways that don’t suit us it is wrong to say: “He knows what he did wrong” or “He understands”. There is no understanding in the horse – he simply reacts to situations, events, aids etc. His behaviour at any one time is a snapshot into the sum total of all his training. If he behaves badly at an event compared to home it means one of two things – either he is not established in his work at home or else his work at home is flawed with at least some confusions.”

Principles of Horsemanship: Part 9 – Mentality Posted on December 3, 2014 by horsemagazine Appreciating the similarities and differences in mental ability between horses and humans is crucial to effective and humane training. We humans are a collectively insecure lot. We are determined it seems, t...

06/10/2021

It was a fun surprise to see myself and @riverwood.equestrian ‘s Galantha being poster girls for @dressagefoundation ! I was awarded a Lindgren Grant from The Dressage Foundation last year, and used it to take my horse Hans to work with @teamtatedressage and @jeremy_steinberg this spring. You can read about my trip in my training journal—see my Linktree in my bio. #equestrian #dressagerider #dressagetraining #dressage #dressagefoundation

It was a fun surprise to see myself and @riverwood.equestrian ‘s Galantha being poster girls for @dressagefoundation ! I was awarded a Lindgren Grant from The Dressage Foundation last year, and used it to take my horse Hans to work with @teamtatedressage and @jeremy_steinberg this spring. You can read about my trip in my training journal—see my Linktree in my bio. #equestrian #dressagerider #dressagetraining #dressage #dressagefoundation

04/12/2021

Why Good Basics Are So Important in Dressage

Why Good Basics Are So Important in Dressage

Gabriel Armando draws on his personal experience to explain why all dressage riders need a solid foundation of basic skills.