Interview with Mehrdad Baghai of JRD Saddlery

Intro and Ask the L – Aviva and Stephany catch up and talk about the heat and how they are each dealing with it. In the Ask the L segment, Aviva answers a question from Sarah about what to do if your horse does a flying change in a 2nd level test instead of the proscribed movement.Interview with Dr. Wendy Rice – Aviva and Stephany get to know Dr. Wendy, how she got to be a psychologist and how she decided to blend her career with her love of horses and riding. They cover a wide variety of reasons why and how imposter syndrome can come into someone’s life, where it originated from and who it can affect. Dr. Wendy gives some great tips for how to help yourself with this sometimes crippling thought process, and how to be your own best friend when it comes to success, both in and out the barn and the arena!Dressage Today S6 E9 Show Notes:Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky ([email protected]) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman ([email protected]) of SerendipityDressageConnect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Video Subscription Site | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PinterestGuest: Dr. Wendy RiceToday's Episode Brought to You By: Equestrian+

In this month’s episode, Aviva reflects on the weight of social media on our riding, how easy it is to criticize in the name of “critiquing” and how we can never know the full story just from a picture of a video. She and Stephany share their thoughts on how we can all be kinder, and as riders we can always work to be better, but that most people are out their doing their best every ride. Stephany shares her latest win with Dante and getting qualified for Regionals.In the Ask the L segment, Aviva talks about posting versus sitting in Training and First Levels. She discusses the various reasons behind what judges are looking for and how you can best help your horse with either choice.We have a word from our sponsor, EquestrianPlus, and then Stephany meets back up with Beth for round two of the bit discussion.This month, we dive deeper into some of the things Beth talked about last month, including metals, bit sizes and weight. They go on with the discussion to talk about double bridles - what the purpose is, when to try it, and how different curb bits work in the mouth. It was another fascinating dive into the world of bit fitting, and we are so happy that Beth could join us for a second chat!Again, If you have questions for Beth, please forward them to her directly, or send them to us so we can share them with everyone on a future episode! As always, if you like what we are doing, please like and share our podcast!Dressage Today S6 E8 Show Notes:Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky ([email protected]) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman ([email protected]) of SerendipityDressageConnect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Video Subscription Site | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PinterestGuest: Beth Haist of TheHorseofCourse.com, Email Beth ([email protected])Today's Episode Brought to You By: Equestrian+

Aviva and Stephany catch up about Stephany’s recent horse show experience and how Dante is now an official 4th level horse! They also talk about one of Stephany’s cows coming home, and the new babies…In the Ask the L segment, Aviva talks about switching the whip during a class, the do’s and don’ts of that. We also talk about when you are allowed to carry a whip in a class and when you cannot!We speak with Beth and learn about how she got involved with horses, how she ended up in the tack selling business and how she got so smart about bits! Beth gives us valuable information on the different “levels” of bits – what to use when starting horses, why and when you could switch bits, and what the different rings affect in the horse. We talk about the different metals and why you would use one over another. Beth gives us great information about why the Baucher is not the bit it used to be and why the French Link is no longer a legal bit to show in. She talks about fitting bits, the ins and outs of horses’ mouths and why different bits “help”. It was a fascinating conversation, and one that we will be continuing later this summer!If you have questions for Beth, please forward them to her directly, or send them to us so we can share them with everyone on a future episode! As always, if you like what we are doing, please like and share our podcast!Dressage Today S6 E7 Show Notes:Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky ([email protected]) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman ([email protected]) of SerendipityDressageConnect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Video Subscription Site | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PinterestGuest: Beth Haist of TheHorseofCourse.com, Email Beth ([email protected])Today's Episode Brought to You By: Equestrian+

Aviva and Stephany catch up on what’s going on – Stephany’s travels, her new baby cows, Aviva has a potential buyer for Ralphie!  Aviva has an amazing question from Alex about conformation, effort and how that is recognized in a test.  She gives us a lot to think about with her answer – are you riding a 6 mover?  Are you a 6 rider?  What is a good expectation for an average horse, and where are there places that you can shine no matter what?Mark talks about his background and how he came into the natural horsemanship world. He discusses different ways to think about helping your horse into a better mental state, what he really means when he says pressure, and how even our dressage horses could feel better if we changed our approach a little. It is a fascinating interview with lots of places where we tie his work into dressage examples, so take a listen! Feel free to let us know your thoughts, and if you have further questions for Mark.Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky ([email protected]) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman ([email protected])Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PinterestGuest: Mark Langley | YouTube (@MarkLangley) | Facebook (@MarkLangleyhorsemanship)Today's Episode Brought to You By: Equestrian+

We Interview Mehrdad Baghai of JRD Saddlery about saddle making and saddle fitting.Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky ([email protected]) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman ([email protected])Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PinterestGuest: Mehrdad Baghai of JRD Saddlery | Connect with JRD Saddlery on FacebookLink: Video Subscription SiteToday's Episode Brought to You By: Purina

Aviva and Stephany catch up on what’s been going on lately – Stephany talks about her 6 days with Mary Wanless, the selling of her Brooksville farm and the purchase of her new young horse, So Special!  In the Ask the L segment, Aviva answers a great question from Jamie:  If I am in a test and things start going badly and I feel unsafe – is it ok to dismount?  Thanks Jamie for a great question, and Aviva for having such a complete answer!We have a word from our Sponsor, Purina, and their Systemiq Supplement.In the interview with Kathy, Stephany delves into Kathy’s riding career, her time in the Pony  Club and all the cool people she grew up riding with.  We talk about how she evolved from Eventing to Dressage, as well as the amazing coaches she got to work with throughout her riding career.  We talk about Kathy’s beliefs and our moral responsibilities while working with horses, and you get to see why she has been a shining light in the Dressage world for a long, long time!Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky ([email protected]) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman ([email protected])Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PinterestGuest: Kathy Connelly | Email Kathy ([email protected])Link: Video Subscription SiteToday's Episode Brought to You By: Purina

Stephany and Aviva catch up on their own pony journeys, with Aviva dealing with yet more snow and Stephany recounting how her latest lessons went with Kathy Connelly.  We get a really great question for “Ask the L” about corners, and as usual, Aviva makes it so much more digestible!  We have a word from Purina, who is the sponsor of this month’s podcast.  In this episode, Stephany and Aviva chat with Suzanne DeStefano, a Pennsylvania based Feldenkrais practitioner and dressage rider/trainer.  We delve into the mysterious question of “what IS Feldenkrais?” and get some examples of how it can help people, both in and out of the saddle.  We discuss the founder, Moishe Feldenkrais, and how he came to develop this interesting way of helping people get more in touch with their bodies.  We got to hear how Suzanne’s personal journey in riding led her to discovering this modality, and how it has shaped both her riding and her practice with other riders.  It is an interesting practice, and one that some of our listeners might find valuable if they are struggling with their own riding journey.  Take a listen!Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky ([email protected]) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman ([email protected])Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PinterestGuest: Suzanne DeStefano, Feldenkrais Practitioner and Dressage Trainer/RiderLink: Video Subscription SiteToday's Episode Brought to You By: Equestrian+

In this episode of the Dressage Today Podcast, sponsored by EQUESTRIAN+, our interview is with Aviva herself! We talked about how she started riding, what prompted her to fall in love with dressage, the decisions she’s made and the horses she’s loved—all the pieces that have shaped her career. Aviva also shared her experience representing the U.S. at the Maccabee Games in Israel, and what it meant to her. We finished up by chatting about what she’s doing with her current horses and encouraging her to stay in the game until she and her horse Tiger do their Century Ride.Additionally, cohost Stephany Fish Crossman shares how her sessions with renowned dressage trainer Kathy Connelly are going, the ups and the downs experienced in the sport and new learning opportunities. In our “Ask the L” segment, Aviva explains how to determine when you’re ready to progress from First to Second Level and provides tips on what judges want to see to know you’re in the right place. It was a blast catching up with our hosts, and we hope you enjoy getting to know them better!This month's podcast was sponsored by Equestrian+. From short training tips to how-to videos and insider-access to private clinics and lessons, learn from top dressage experts with EQUESTRIAN+. Watch exclusive interviews and lectures, slow motion demonstrations and step-by-step tutorials taught by top-level pros and explore cross-discipline topics such as groundwork, rider fitness and stable management. Visit equestrianplus.com to sign up for a 7-day free trial with subscription.  Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky ([email protected]) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman ([email protected])Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PinterestLink: Video Subscription SiteToday's Episode Brought to You By: Equestrian+

Aviva and Stephany catch up on what is going on with them, and Stephany has some exciting news about a grant she received from The Dressage Foundation! Next, Aviva gives us input on how to improve your leg yield from the point of view at C, in our Ask the L segmentWe have a word from our sponsor, Purina and then we step into interviews from USDF Convention. Stephany interviews Lindsay Burns from GDCTA in Region 3. Lindsay is a first time convention attendee, and she talks about what she has learned at Convention, why she came and what kind of things she is taking home, both for herself and for her local GMO. Next Stephany talks with Rosa Meehan and Hilary Starzynski, President and VP of Alaska Dressage Association. Rosa was the Region 6 Volunteer of the Year, so she and Hilary decided to make the big trek down to Houston to receive her award in person! We talk about all things Alaska and dressage – when and how they ride, challenges and solutions for doing dressage in Alaska, and what they thought about the Convention. We hope you enjoy the listen, and that you too may be energized to come to USDF Convention next year in Kentucky!Connect with Hosts:Aviva Nebesky, [email protected] Fish Crossman, [email protected]: Lindsay Burns from GDCTA in Region 3Guests: Rosa Meehan and Hilary Starzynski, President and VP of Alaska Dressage Association

Aviva and Stephany discuss the latest L question from Sasha regarding how to ride the shallow loop in Training Level Test 3.  We go to commercial from our sponsor, Equithrive, on its supplements to make your horse’s life better and your life easier! Aviva and Stephany interview Mary Wanless, the creator of the Ride With Your Mind Rider Biomechanics system.  We talk about how Mary got started, how her program differs from the usual training people receive and how it can be an asset to any rider.  We discuss her many ways of connecting to people, including books, DVD series, her podcast and her DressageTraining.TV.  Mary talks about the differences in learning through her methods of teaching compared to a “normal” dressage lesson.  Connect with HostAviva Nebesky, [email protected] Fish Crossman, [email protected]