Horse and Rider

AN INTERVIEW WITH AMANDA ANDERSON

HQ: ⁠How did you become involved in saddle fitting? What led you to this work? Amanda: When I was in my early 20s, between undergrad and grad school, I was still a bit unsure of what I wanted to do with my life. I took a couple of massage and saddle-fitting courses from Don Doran of…

BylizzieApril 26, 20260Comments

Horse and Rider

HEARD AT HQ WITH FELICITY THEUNISSEN AND RONNIE HEALY

Two generations, one dream There is something quietly extraordinary about chatting to Felicity Theunissen. She is 13 years old. And yet she speaks about horses, pressure, and the road ahead with a clarity that would put many seasoned competitors to shame. In our latest Heard at HQ interview, we brought Felicity together with Ronnie Healy, her…

BylizzieApril 16, 20260Comments

Horse and Rider

SETTING THE TONE IN THE WARM-UP ARENA

The real purpose of the warm-up Text: Lara Ellwood of Insight Equine There’s something about the warm-up arena at a show that seems to buzz with invisible tension. It’s meant to be a space to prepare, to ease our horses and ourselves into rhythm and readiness, but more often than not, it becomes a pressure cooker.…

BylizzieApril 14, 20260Comments

Horse and Rider

CHANGING THE LANGUAGE OF RIDING

How awareness, biomechanics, and horsemanship are reshaping rider education Text: Alejandra González I have loved horses for as long as I can remember. I was fortunate to grow up in a family with horses - my father was a horse trainer - so horses were never just a hobby; they were part of my everyday life. But…

BylizzieApril 12, 20260Comments

Horse and Rider Horse Channel

FLATWORK FOUNDATIONS – BUILDING BETTER TRANSITIONS

Smooth, balanced transitions are the hallmark of a well-trained horse and rider partnership. Whether you're preparing for your first dressage test or refining your technique for advanced competition, mastering the art of transitioning between gaits is fundamental to good riding. Yet for many riders (us included!), transitions remain one of the most challenging aspects of…

BylizzieApril 9, 20260Comments

Horse and Rider Horse and Yard

CARING FOR YOUR SADDLE

Inspired by the Western Shoppe Saddle Care Challenge, we decided to delve deep into saddle care, maintenance, and storage. Why saddle care matters? A well-maintained saddle is crucial for your horse’s comfort and the longevity of your saddle. Here are our top tips for keeping your saddle in tip-top shape. 1. Maintenance Giving your saddle a quick…

BylizzieMarch 24, 20260Comments

Horse and Rider Horse Channel

BATTLE OF THE SEXES AT WEF

Girls end three-year drought in thrilling Battle of the Sexes at WEF In the closest finish in 16 years, the girls' team claimed victory in a dramatic match race finale before 3000 spectators. The 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival opened with a redemption story as the girls' team broke a three-year winning streak for the boys in…

BylizzieJanuary 6, 20260Comments

Horse and Rider

CHASING DRESSAGE EXCELLENCE

Daliah Thill's journey from Jo’burg to Europe At just 15 years old, Daliah Thill is living a reality that most young riders only dream about. Splitting her time between South Africa and Germany, competing internationally for Luxembourg, and training with top European and South African coaches while maintaining her schoolwork and musical pursuits, Daliah represents…

BylizzieDecember 29, 20250Comments

Horse and Rider

YOUR FIRST AUCTION HORSE

What to do when you bring them home Expert guidance from Luke Compaan of De Rust Equestrian Buying your first horse at auction is both exciting and daunting. You've successfully navigated the bidding process, and now you're standing in your yard with a young horse who's just had their entire world turned upside down. What…

BylizzieDecember 28, 20250Comments

Horse and Rider

POLYVAGAL THEORY

The science of safety in horse training Understanding how the nervous system works isn’t just a human psychology topic; it’s central to horsemanship, rider development, and equine welfare. Polyvagal theory, developed by Professor Stephen Porges, offers one of the clearest scientific frameworks for why horses learn on some days, shut down on others, and thrive…

BylizzieDecember 22, 20250Comments

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