Oregon Dressage Society (ODS) did it up right when selecting Steffen Peters as the keynote speaker and symposium coach for the 40th Anniversary Celebration. A celebration so significant merited one of the best dressage riders in U.S. history. And Peters delivered.

Steffen Peter’s teaching style was accurate, kind, and effective. “He was wonderful with people,” organizer Corinne Tindal Stonier said, “He gave back story, training philosophy, explained ‘why’.”

The day began with Barbara Crabbe, DVM (Pacific Crest Sporthorse, Oregon City, OR) riding her five year-old Dutch Warmblood mare at Training Level. Given that most ODS members ride at Third Level and below, organizers felt the membership would most benefit from watching riders of their own level. And, inviting a Training Level horse would be extremely useful for riders developing young horses. The decision would prove to be spot on.

Barbara’s lovely mare, Bel Aire, is at the beginning of her showing career and has been doing very well. To fine-tune her training at such a critical time was a terrific opportunity for horse and rider. Steffen Peters watched the pair ride at all three gaits, then began the process of helping Barb to make her aids more accurate and meaningful.

“I appreciate relaxation,” Steffen said, “but when you close your calf, there has to be a reaction. Remind your horse to go forward—but don’t continually support her.”

“Our horses need to learn, to understand what we want from them. Understand the difference between doing it right and doing it wrong. We need to guide them in the right direction,” Steffen said. “I’m not a big fan of rushing a horse, but we shouldn’t baby them too much, either.”

Steffen emphasized that for training work he picks the appropriate frame for each horse, depending on the conformation, balance, and level of education. A frame that may be most effective for training may not be the frame you use to show in.

A ripple of excitement went through the crowd when Steffen asked Barb, “Would you mind if I got on your horse?” (As if someone would mind.)

To watch Steffen ride, up close and personal, was a memorable experience. Perfect posture, relaxed, and effective—the picture of a master at work.

Steffen tuned up Barb’s horse to make her more responsive to the aids. “Young horses try to trick you into compromising with connection,” Steffen said. Steffen used less ‘kick’, closing his leg quickly and holding a little longer. He reinforced the aid with a cluck of the tongue and expected a response. “Everything comes from proper response to the leg,” Steffen said. “This is not up for negotiation.”

“When you pick up the connection, if there is discussion (from the horse), use a little tap of the whip.”

“Be very picky about transitions,” Steffen said. But keep it simple, suppleness is what we want at the end of the day.”

Steffen also noted that “Too much long and low is counterproductive. You need to engage the hindquarters and the brain. Don’t let your horse just cruise around. Give them a job in the warm up, concentrating on their way of moving forward and accepting contact.”

After the day’s session, Barb was thrilled. “My horse felt incredibly straight and connected after Steffen rode her. He gave me some really great feedback and suggestions. I really liked that he kept everything so simple.”

Next up, Anna Keenan of Dexter, OR rode Lena, a five year-old Hanoverian mare at Second Level. The pair did some lovely trot work, where Steffen used the leg yield to increase the mare’s suppleness. “No other movement asks a horse to let go more effectively than a leg yield,” he said.

With all riders, Steffen recommended letting the horse warm up with at least 10 minutes of rising trot before sitting. “Let the back swing first,” he said.

Nancy Weaver of Bend, OR rode Zhorick DG, a seven year-old Dutch gelding at Second/Third Level. The horse had a more uphill, higher build, so Steffen felt riding her deeper and lower was most productive.

The pair’s canter work was improved by using transitions within the gait. “No horse benefits from cantering too long at the same tempo,” Steffen emphasized. “Lengthen and shorten the stride. Transitions within the gaits are the best way to improve the quality of the gait.”

When training, Steffen recommends “Don’t just ride the movement, test the movement! Make sure you really have it. Use structure with fairness. Take lots of breaks. Have high standards and expectations for your horse but keep it simple.”

Before the break for lunch, Lise Yervasi, a Grade IV Para-Dressage rider from Baker City, OR, rode Brendan Braveheart at Third Level. Steffen had personally invited Lise to ride in the symposium, when he’d heard that she hadn’t been able to afford the costs of travelling to a paralympic training session with Robert Dover. ODS graciously fit Lise into their rider schedule.

With Jason McAfee, an instructor/trainer from Albany, OR, Steffen clearly had higher expectations than he did with the lower level horses/riders. With his horse, Dynamic Hit, going at Fourth Level, Steffen felt even the first steps of trot should be committed.

Steffen used a combination of leg yield and shoulder fore to supple the horse. “If the horse resists, don’t accept that,” he said. “Don’t make a big deal about it, but insist.”

“We want simplicity in the training, the best possible quality of gait before going on to movements. Never compromise there. Every day, every minute counts.”

Steffen’s work with Madeline McKalip of Portland, OR focused on improving the mare’s canter. Donna Carina’s canter visibly improved when Madeline followed Steffen’s instructions to ride the horse more forward. “We know the mare can collect,” he said, “now show me a longer stride.”

Many in the audience were eagerly awaiting the last rider of the day, Jessica Wisdom of Ridgefield, WA riding North Forks Cardi. The Welsh Cob stallion had been named ODS Horse of the Year at the awards banquet the evening before and he’s something of a local favorite.

Jessica had come to the clinic hoping to improve Cardi’s one tempi changes in particular. After Jessica demonstrated the area in which she felt ‘stuck’, Steffen suggested, “You are continuing to ride him in the way you trained him to do tempi’s. Now that he knows them, it’s ok to lighten your aids.”

While watching Jessica school tempi changes was fun, the moment turned magic when Steffen said, “Would you mind if I got on him?” A buzz ran through the crowd—Steffen Peters riding “the pony”!

With obvious pleasure, the crowd took in the sight of Steffen Peters schooling tempi changes. His movements were so subtle, shifts in the hips visible in his core, I felt privileged to be there. When Cardi was tuned up to do his one tempi’s correctly, the crowd burst into applause.

Jessica returned to the saddle to take Cardi through his paces once again. The pair drew applause once more when Cardi showed off his one tempi’s. It was a memorable moment in ODS history, inspiring riders of all levels. As Steffen summarized, “At the end of the day, it’s about connecting with the horse mentally as much as physically. Keeping it simple, so he can understand.”

Click here to learn about the people behind the symposium.