“Water skiing on your horse”
“Bouncing on your horse’s back”
“Elegant ride - hunt seat position”
Yikes! I bet you know what I'm talking about, right?
We’ve all had a few choice dressage judge comments, whether we’re at a schooling show or recognized event. A lot of them refer to tension, gripping, tilting, or unclear aids.
Sometimes, they refer to our horse; sometimes they refer to us!
If you’re tired of getting these same dressage judge comments, or being able to break free of the patterns holding you at a lower level than you want, it’s time to build a better ride starting with breathwork.
My favorite part of using breathwork as a foundation for EquiForm is that it addresses ALL of those issues.
Here are 3 steps I would take to get better dressage judge comments:
Breathwork that supports my spine & torso from the inside out & the bottom up.
Your breath is the foundation of your riding posture, stability, and movement. When you breathe correctly, you activate the deep core muscles that stabilize your spine and provide balanced, effortless support in the saddle. Instead of relying on tension or overcompensation, breathwork builds strength from the inside out - starting with your diaphragm and pelvic floor - so you feel both secure and supple while riding. Learning to breathe from the bottom up ensures that your spine stays stacked, your movement stays fluid, and your connection with your horse stays light and responsive.
Do 5 simple, immediate spine checks-and-balances to decrease tension and increase softness
Tension in your spine doesn’t just affect your comfort - it affects your horse’s movement and responsiveness. By performing five quick spine “checks-and-balances” before and during your ride, you can release unnecessary tension, increase softness, and improve your posture in the saddle. These adjustments help you maintain a neutral spine, engage the right muscles, and ride with a deeper connection. Whether you're schooling, competing, or hacking out, these small corrections make a big difference in how you feel and how your horse responds.
Pick & practice my breathing points at home while I’m learning my test.
This is something I love teaching to my clinic & coaching clients: first, work on exhaling when you are asking for an up or down transition. Doing so engages your core and creates air-pressure support for your lumbar spine, which helps root you softly in the tack
Second, as you're practicing your dressage test maneuvers and timing, start incorporating breathing into, say, "pick up medium trot at B." If you have to ask for a medium trot at B, take an inhale a few strides before and exhale during your transition. This not only gives you better position, but it helps you remember to breathe!
By identifying key breathing points - moments in your dressage test, jumping course, or cross country - you can train your body to stay calm, connected, and in sync with your horse. Practicing these breathing techniques at home while visualizing your ride builds muscle memory, reduces competition nerves, and ensures you can access your best performance under pressure.
Let’s have a laugh -
What’s a unique comment from a judge that you remember?! Tell me in the comments!
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