Understanding the riding tree helps you build a solid foundation, an independent seat that will take you into the higher levels of whatever riding discipline you choose to pursue. When you are relaxed and balanced, you can begin to work on following the horse's motion at the walk, trot and canter. Your communication with your horse moves to a new level. Then you can begin to apply the aids in ways that ask the horse for specific shapes.

As your communication with the horse improves, you will begin paying attention to rhythm and timing, coordinating the aids for greater precision. Finally, instead of just asking for what the horse already knows, you will be able to start influencing the horse, teaching him new shapes and new games. In the beginning, it may seem like an impossible goal.
Just keep riding


Faith Meredith coaches riders in dressage, reining, and eventing and has successfiully trained and competed horses through FEI levels of dressage.
She is the Director of