Ian Woodhead’s three principles of dressage

IAN Woodhead began by explaining to the audience what his role as dressage coach to the Irish senior eventing team entails and that it is a lot more than just turning up for training days and competitions.

He works on the presentation of both horse and rider, helping to ensure they start their dressage on the right foot. Secondly, he works on the psychological aspect of coaching riders and helping them understand and train their horses to their full potential, and finally, Woodhead works on getting top results.

Aoife Clark was first into the arena, but she was not turned out as you would expect, wearing a cross-country helmet and a badly fitting tail coat Clark was the perfect example of what not to wear for dressage.

She did redeem herself a short time later, coming back into the arena in perfect dressage attire. The audience were able to see how much presentation impacts on the first impression a rider gives coming into a test.

Sarah Ennis and Cathal Daniels rode in the first coaching session of the evening. Woodhead has worked with both riders for a long time now and said: “I know how the riders tick”, which is essential for getting top results, according to Woodhead.

He applies three principles to coaching all levels of dressage. The first is that the riders’ leg should be relaxed and still, only coming into use to give the horse an aid. Secondly, the horses head and neck should be soft, and finally, the quality of contact should feel like an elastic band and can only be established once the first two principles are in place.

Michelle Kenny and Ciaran Glynn rode their advanced horses in the next session. Woodhead applied the same principles but the horses showcased more complexed movements, including flying changes, half pass in both trot and canter and lateral work. The audience could see how Woodhead coached each horse and rider according to the strengths and weaknesses.