ASKHQ: IMPROVING CANTER TRANSITIONS

Q: What’s the best way to improve my horse’s canter transitions? A: Quality trot creates a quality transition so focus on straightness, impulsion, and rhythm in the trot before you ask for the canter. No horse can canter easily from a disorganised and messy trot. Use exercises like trot–walk–trot to sharpen responsiveness, and try for…

BylizzieJuly 24, 20250Comments

Ask HQ

ASKHQ: DIFFERENT SADDLES

Q: What are the differences between jumping, dressage and general purpose (GP) saddles? A: Here's an overview of the key differences between these three types of saddle: Jumping saddles Purpose: Jumping saddles are designed for showjumping or cross-country, where the rider needs to maintain a secure and balanced seat while navigating jumps. Key features: Flatter seat: Jumping…

BylizzieJuly 7, 20250Comments

Horse Channel

BRIANA BURGESS – TRAINING FOR THE TOP

Briana Burgess is an International Grand Prix rider and Top 10 World Young Horse Championship Finalist. She spent 12 years based in Germany, training under some of the world’s top coaches, including Johan Rockx, Penny Zavitz-Rockx, Monica Theodorescu, Patrik Kittel, Helen Langehanenberg and Christoph Koschel. Now based in the South of France at Domaine Equestre Des…

BylizzieMay 24, 20250Comments

Horse Channel Horse Training

‘EVENTING FOR DUMMIES’ – GETTING TO GRIPS WITH OUR NEW FAVOURITE DISCIPLINE

We’ve always enjoyed eventing, but after watching Badminton last year, the addiction to the sport has become VERY real in the HQ office. To ensure we’re all up to speed, we’ve put together this quick crash course on eventing for all those keen to learn more about this fascinating (and highly addictive) discipline! A crash course…

BylizzieMay 5, 20250Comments

Horse Channel

LA28 – SANTA ANITA PARK

The LA28 Olympic equestrian events will be held at Santa Anita Park, which was also the home of horse sports at the 1984 Olympic Games. In 1984, the cross-country for the Olympic eventing was held at a satellite venue (Fairbanks Ranch Country Club in San Diego County) but 2028 will see all phases of the…

BylizzieMay 2, 20250Comments

Ask HQ Horse Training

ASKHQ: STANDING AT THE MOUNTING BLOCK

Q: My horse never stands at the mounting block. I didn't mind initially, but now it's really making me nervous. What can I do to fix this? A: First and foremost, rule out pain or discomfort as a reason for this behaviour. It's possible he is moving around to avoid pain when you get on. Consult…

BylizzieApril 14, 20250Comments

Horse Breed

BREEDS OF HOY: THE THOROUGHBRED

The Thoroughbred is one of the most iconic horse breeds in the world, revered for its speed, agility, and endurance. The breed originated in England in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, when three foundation stallions—the Darley Arabian, the Godolphin Arabian, and the Byerley Turk—were imported and bred with native mares. This selective breeding…

BylizzieApril 5, 20250Comments

Horse Channel Horse Training

OFFICIALS’ OUTLOOK – THE GAUTENG JUDGES’ SEMINAR AND WORKSHOP

At the start of the new year, the equestrian calendar is often packed with national seminars and clinics for officials, predominantly our stewards and judges, to prepare everyone for the year ahead. The Gauteng Dressage Council hosted a Judges’ Seminar and Workshop from January 18 to 20. We caught up with Sam Foley, one of the…

BylizzieFebruary 26, 20250Comments

Ask HQ

ASKHQ: STIRRUP LENGTH

Q: What length should my stirrups ideally be? A: If you're hacking or just doing some flatwork in the arena rather than focusing on dressage or jumping specifically, you should aim for your stirrups to be ankle length. To achieve this, take your feet out of the stirrups and let them hang loose against the…

BylizzieJanuary 30, 20250Comments

HQ Pro

ZONIK PLUS WIN THE 2024 CDI-W MECHELEN GRAND PRIX

At the end of last year, we saw the eight-year-old stallion Zonik Plus and Belgian rider Justin Verboomen claim victory in the World Cup Grand Prix with 74.348%.

BylizzieJanuary 4, 20250Comments

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