UDS Newsletter: January 2026

New Year, New Events: Steffen Peters Clinic, 2025 Awards Banquet, and the Continuation of the L Program

It’s the start of a new year, the Utah Dressage Society board has been hard at work preparing educational opportunities for our community, and, boy, do we have some exciting events on the horizon! We’ll kick things off with Steffen Peters, who will be teaching a clinic on the weekend of February 21-22. Though participant spots are full, auditor registration has just opened. 

On the evening of the 21st, Peters will also give a talk at our annual awards banquet. Be sure to strap your learning hats on and be ready to sponge up insights galore!

Because these events are happening the same weekend, we are offering a special combo pack that allows you to purchase either an auditing spot at the clinic, a banquet ticket, or a bundle of the two, which saves on the total cost. You can register for both events here.

But–in the words of the infomercials–wait, there’s more! Just as your minds are bursting at the seams with new learning, we will be jumping into the next weekend of the L Program on Feb 28-March 1. Sage Creek will be hosting this session with master instructor Dolly Hannon at the helm. Participant spots are sold out, but we have openings for silent auditors and demo riders. For more information, please visit our website or contact our Director of Education, Katie Lorens at education@utahdressagesociety.com

Before I close this section, I want to add that our board members had an incredibly difficult time sorting through the Steffen Peters clinic applications to decide on our participants. We held a marathon meeting, and though I think we can all admit it was a little emotional knowing that we could not accept all the riders we wanted to, we ended that meeting with a deep felt gratitude for our community and all the amazing horse and rider teams who made our decision such an agonizing one. We wished we had double the number of spots to offer because we had twice the number of deserving riders. Thank you to everyone who applied, and to our amazing community as a whole. We may not be the largest GMO, but we are rich in talent and drive. 

Eva Adolphi Clinic Grant Launches

The board has long been looking for ways to increase high-end clinic offerings, and with a generous gift from our founder Eva Adolphi, we are thrilled to announce a plan to allow members to host clinics with UDS financial support. Here’s how the grant will work: 

A UDS member wanting to host a clinic will complete a clinic grant proposal using our web form. The UDS board will review the proposal, and will award up to three $1,500 grants per year on a rolling basis. These grants are intended to offset the total cost of the clinic, including the travel and lodging costs of the clinician, thereby keeping costs down for its participants. In return for the grant, we ask that UDS members be given priority for participation spots and that at least half of the spots be reserved for UDS members. Needless to say, if the clinic is cancelled for any reason, all funds must be returned to the UDS.

This grant is intended to help bring exceptional clinicians to Utah, such as USDF-certified instructors, FEI judges, USDF judges, L Program faculty, and instructors of similar caliber. Our goal is to help support those who seek to bring the best clinicians to our state, and we will reserve funds for those clinicians who fit that description. That is to say, we do not anticipate approving all applications. We also would like to see these grants be equitably distributed between barns and training programs, so if you have been awarded a grant in the last 18 months, we ask you to wait before re-applying.

We hope to see these grants continue to deepen the dressage knowledge across our state, serving the membership and, most importantly, the wonderful horses who are our partners.

We are deeply indebted to Eva Adolphi for making this grant program possible. If you are interested in giving to the UDS to help us expand opportunities such as these, please contact our treasurer Dana Prior, who will be more than happy to discuss your gift ideas and how you would like to see your contribution put to work.

If you are interested in learning more about this exciting new program or in applying for a clinic grant, you can find more information on the clinic grant application.

Preliminary Results for Year-End Awards Are Ready for Review

Congratulations to all our members on getting out and competing this year! Many of you have qualified for UDS year-end awards, and we would love your help in verifying our numbers. The preliminary results are now available here. If you see any errors in the score tabulation, please let us know by January 25th so we can double-check our numbers.

Omnibus Cover Art Contest

We are proud that our yearly Omnibus has showcased so much incredible member art and photography. We want to continue that tradition again this year. If you have a piece you would like to send to us for consideration, please email it to Jasmine at competitions@utahdressagesociety.com by January 25th. 

Member Articles

The following articles were contributed by our members. If you would like to write about your experiences--and earn volunteer hours as you do--please email me at communications@utahdressagesociety.com

Lessons from the L Program and Dressage Clinic with Stacy Williams

By Debbie Baxter

Participating in the United States Dressage Federation’s L Program and attending a clinic with L graduate trainer Stacy Williams provided me with invaluable insights into both the art and science of dressage. These experiences deepened my understanding of what judges look for in competition, refined my riding skills, and broadened my perspective on training by exposing me to new horses and teaching styles.

At the L Program, one of the most important lessons I learned was how to truly see bend and straightness in a horse. While these concepts may sound simple, the program emphasized that they are foundational to correct training and judging. A horse that is straight moves with balance and alignment, while proper bend demonstrates suppleness and engagement. Judges are trained to recognize whether these qualities are present and understanding the “why” behind their evaluation helped me appreciate how each movement contributes to the overall harmony of the test.

Beyond bend and straightness, the program introduced me to several other areas of judging. First, I learned about biomechanics, which refers to how the horse’s body moves and functions. Judges study biomechanics to evaluate whether a horse is using its body correctly. This knowledge helps riders train with more awareness of how each aid influences the horse’s movement. Second, the program emphasized rider position. Judges are taught to observe whether the rider maintains a balanced, effective seat and quiet hands, since rider position directly impacts the horse’s ability to perform. Finally, I gained insight into the importance of clarity of aids. Judges look for harmony between horse and rider, where the rider’s cues are subtle yet effective, and the horse responds willingly without tension. These three elements—biomechanics, rider position, and clarity of aids—added depth to my understanding of what makes a dressage performance successful.

The clinic with Stacy Williams complemented the L Program by allowing me to apply these principles in practice. One of the most eye-opening aspects was riding a horse other than my own. This experience revealed how much I rely on familiarity with my own horse and challenged me to adapt quickly to a new partner. 

Stacy helped me refine my seat, particularly in the sitting trot. By encouraging me to pull my shoulders back and sit deeper into the saddle, she showed me how to achieve greater stability and harmony with the horse’s movement. Additionally, Stacy introduced me to different theories on the shoulder-in, a fundamental lateral movement in dressage. Exploring these perspectives broadened my understanding of the exercise.

Together, the L Program and Stacy Williams’ clinic provided a holistic learning experience. The program gave me the theoretical framework to understand what judges value, while the clinic offered practical tools to improve my riding. 

L Program “A Session”: The Basics 

By Annie Sweet

I had the honor of being awarded one of the  Spring 2025 UDS scholarships, and I plan to use it to offset the costs of participating in the L program. Thank you to Katie Lorens for making this educational opportunity possible for me and all of Utah! 

Our instructor for the A session was the wonderful Joan Darnell, whose expertise and positivity made the whole experience top notch. I was struck throughout the weekend by Joan’s emphasis on being honest in your assessment and scoring, but also kind and empathetic in your comments, and giving riders the benefit of the doubt always. “After all, we want these riders to come back!” she said. Being a guardian of the sport means upholding the standard while also encouraging people to keep trying to be better for their horses. I loved this philosophy and really appreciated Joan for bringing it up over and over throughout the weekend. 

Session A focused on the basics, or biomechanics and the pyramid of training as it relates to the judging process. In preparation for this session, participants 

were given instructions and links to all the course material, which included a huge amount of information on the basics, judging methodology, the judge’s checklist, the general and dressage sections of the USEF rulebook, glossary of judging terms, video modules about biomechanics, and articles about the elements of the pyramid of training as well as biomechanics. In all, it made for hundreds of pages of reading and many, many hours of study in the months leading up to this session. 

Joan started off day 1 by commending our group for being the first in her experience with a 100% homework quiz completion rate! That means that every participant took the quiz a few days before the start of session A and submitted their results. The quiz tested our knowledge of the rules, and it was HARD! Even after reading the rulebook and studying for weeks, I was grateful that it was an open-book quiz. 

To start off, there were a lot of questions from participants about handling eliminations and errors, so we had a clarifying discussion  about the rules around that. Then we discussed all the judge’s responsibilities and application of the rules in depth, as well as judging methodology (how a judge arrives at a score), and formulating comments. 

After lunch, we went through the first three elements of the pyramid of training: rhythm, suppleness, and contact. Joan showed us short video clips of horses performing test movements of varying quality. She asked us to comment on the quality based on the first three elements of the training scale. Does the horse have good rhythm? Why or why not? What about suppleness, elasticity and bend? Contact and frame? What is the balance like? Is it appropriate to the level? Is the rider effecting these qualities in the horse? What score would you give the gaits based on these elements? What comments would you give about the basics? It was a lot to think about, and I don’t think I’m alone in leaving that day feeling like my brain had melted! I felt like I had a long way to go in developing my eye and being able to make a quick, accurate assessment in just a few seconds of watching a test movement. 

Day 2: We started off in the classroom again, now going into depth about the final 3 pieces of the training pyramid: straightness, impulsion and collection. We watched more clips of examples of the gaits. We saw what a “10” free walk looks like, a “9” trot lengthening, an “8” medium canter, and so on, all the way down the scale to gaits and movements that had major problems. These examples were incredibly valuable to see and learn from. Joan also showed us a series of longer clips of horses performing partial or entire tests, and asked us to comment on what we saw, and what score we would give based on all the elements of the training pyramid. 

After lunch, we went outside and got to watch horses and riders perform Training, First and Second level test movements live, and again Joan called on the group to comment on what we were seeing as it related to the basics. This was a lot of fun, and Joan was a master at directing the riders in way that maximized the learning for everyone. Her kind, upbeat approach was inspiring to me not only as a future judge, but as a current coach and rider as well!

Overall I feel like session A was a huge success, I learned so much and I think everyone else did too!  Thanks to the UDS board members for your hard work in putting on such a big event, Ammie Lords for hosting us at Southern Belle, and the demo riders for the educational value they brought. I’m so looking forward to the B Session in Feb/March. Now time to start studying again! 

Confessions of a Mare Whisperer

By Lori Barrett 

I can’t lie, I have always loved my ladies, as I call both the mares in my training program & my own robust mare herd. I mean, a good gelding is just that, but a good mare? She becomes a great partner in the effort of dressage. A good mare will fight for you in the show ring (and depending on how you approach her, maybe fight with you, for the incautious!) As a dressage trainer, much of my career has been spent riding geldings, but the longer I am in this sport, the more value I find in my mares. I know a lot of people actively avoid them or have rules about some being ok & others being Gorgons, but here's my take on how to get a mare on your side. (And possibly make your gelding more of a volunteer in the work!)

Geldings, you can bully. Stallions sometimes demand to be bullied. Mares: I don’t even really have to finish this thought, do I? Anyone who’s ridden a mare knows that they don’t perform at their best when forced into situations. The consequence of working with a lot of mares is that it makes me a smarter trainer. If I take away “making” a horse do something & instead think of how I can get a horse to want to do something, the training puzzle becomes more interesting to me & can make a far more harmonious feel in the ride, mare, gelding or stallion.

Before we look at training systems, like with any horse, we have to eliminate the possibility of something causing undue discomfort. Seems pretty obvious, but it needs to be said. Saddle fit is important, or course. Is the bit properly fitted & right side up? Curb chain not too-tight? One thing I’ve become recently aware of is that mares apparently go through more magnesium in the spring when they start to cycle. Nothing a little electrolyte added into their diets won’t cure, but if your mare seems skin-sensitive to simple brushing, it can make her more comfortable.

Once you’ve gone through the basics on tack & nutrition, it gets a little more complex. (Come on, I didn’t say it would be easy! These are mares, after all.) I’ll speak in generalities, then try to give some concrete examples as we go along.

First off, as a trainer, it’s important that the horses know that I’m on their side. That’s a strange assessment maybe, but they’re creatures with a strong flight response, so knowing that I am with them in protecting them from ringside monsters or errant beams of sunlight on the sand means they can cease an extended degree of vigilance & allow training to commence. A horse who’s constantly watchful & feeling they must protect themselves cannot take on information. He or she may be able to be goaded through the required work, but it doesn’t culminate in the fabled one-with-our-horse feeling or partnership (albeit guided by the riders, of course,) that dressage purports to pursue. I don’t punish for spooking, I create an incompatible behaviour, e.g. shoulder in instead of looking at the scary door or sunbeam on the floor. I don’t address the spooking, I simply make another task that redirects their attention, which then allows me to reward the horse, with any luck.

I’ve found is that if I refocus the horses like this, it creates the possibility for a positive feedback loop. Meaning, instead of a horse shying, me punishing & the horse subsequently directing the dialogue by virtue of misbehaviour, I create a situation where through directing the horse to a task, I get to tell them they’re a genius for listening to me & trusting the situation. Taking this tactic means I have created an opportunity to build trust & help them understand they are safe with me, which, of course is the first objective.

At first glance, the outcome may not look any different than a system that is more geared toward force, if both are executed subtly. I have a German-instilled seat & leg, a hand that aspires to be forward-acting. I wear a spur. I carry a whip, at times. What’s the difference then? I see my role as trainer to make the behavior I desire the easiest physical response for the horse to perform. Simple, right? Requires a consistent, educated seat, leg & hand that work together to guide the horse toward the decision I am looking for. After that, I am watching for the slightest move toward the desired outcome & I praise it. I do this sequence over & over again. I praise verbally, sometimes; I praise by releasing an aid; I praise with a walk break, or maybe even a quick sugar cube, depending on the degree of accomplishment. In short, I notice when they’re trying.

Why does it matter?

Well, I guess if the only metric is making FEI horses, it actually doesn’t. Or rather, it might not for a lot of horses. For those that it does matter to, however, it matters a lot. It is the difference between a mare that is deemed unrideable & a successful competition horse. It is the difference between a gelding that spooks uncontrollably & one that is amateur-friendly & relaxed. And tell me, if we can make FEI horses with correct training, soft & supple to ride, who trust us in new environments & fight for us in the show ring, why would we not take that route? Seems like a greater percentage of horses could even be FEI mounts with this reasoning.

Horses are creatures of the path of least resistance. Their main goal is to make life easier for themselves, so if we’re smart, we use that tendency to motivate their training. Mares don’t like to be forced, so my job is to figure out how to make what I want them to do the easiest thing for them to do, then let them choose it of their own free will.

In my experience, the main hindrance to getting along with mares is our tendency to attempt to bully them when we’re teaching a new behaviour, or coaching them through something they don’t understand. Mares are generally less phlegmatic than geldings, so when we apply an aid, typically they’d like it to go away, post-haste. That doesn’t mean they’ve offered the correct response, so what can often happen is an escalation: we ask harder or longer for right bend (for example,) leading to irritation on everyone’s part, since we don’t want to work that hard & mares want us to basically quit nagging.

Another approach is to (using right bend again as an example,) apply the aid & if the correct response is not generated, give a small correction. This might be a bump with the leg, a tickle with a whip or a moment of making the aids sterner, a “listen here!” type of moment. Then the aids relax, before going back to the original asking aid. My commitment as a trainer is to be clear, consistent & fair. (More on that later.) It’s pretty rare that a horse chooses not to make its life easier by experimenting with different responses, which then garner different responses from me. If a horse is willing to try different responses, there’s no correction: I simply ask again, in a patient, structured way.

In my experience, the monster in the closet that keeps people from doing well with mares is the attitude that we should be unthinkingly obeyed by the horse & if not, punishment ensues, which leads away from the positive feedback loop & into escalation. I think of this as a conversation on rider ambition & personal drive. I am quite Type A. I want things done, I want them done correctly, & I want it to happen NOW. And I want to feel that collection, experience the lowering of the croup & floaty, elastic feel as the horses dance beneath me. But we’re dealing with animals! Like us, they have good days & bad, days where they come out a little tight on one side or a little kinked in the neck. My point being that they’re bringing their whole lived experience into the arena with them, and yes, they have to get over it & get to work, 100%! But meeting them where they arrive, even for a few minutes of the warmup, seems to let them shimmy out of their tightness as we focus them on the work at hand.

In other words, I may have to take a few minutes away from what I thought I was going to accomplish for the day & reroute, spending more time doing trot-canter transitions, more time in shoulder in/renvers, more walk – canter transitions, than I had planned before getting to the “real” work I envisioned. But those detours are the real work as a trainer; they are when I make choices that hopefully add up to a horse who comes to the arena happier to work & physically more ready for the sometimes-hard tasks at hand. A horse comes in slow to the leg after four months of focused building for show season? Maybe we go for a gallop in the field. While it may not be a day of perfecting half-pass zigzags, I guarantee the work will be there tomorrow & the horse will be fresher, readier to work if we pay attention to what they’re telling us.

Again, I offer the caveat that I’m interpreting this through the lens of a trainer that is determined to come out & have the horses working daily, progressing daily & striving for whatever goals myself & their owners have set for them. So it’s not like all we do is go gallop in the field! But making room for the feel of play or a moment of respite in the schooling work can make a world of difference when you approach the goals from the other side of a small break.

At the end of the day, working well with mares & sensitive horses in general comes down to a degree of listening & attempting to feel our way into working correctly. If we address the horse we are sitting on, rather than the idealized one we schooled two-tempis on in our visualization exercises the previous evening, we have a higher likelihood of success. Additionally, if we set up training exercises geared toward how we can reward the horses, how we can set them up for something they’re doing right, it can create the beginning of a positive feedback loop that allows everyone to have a feeling of success, adding on training elements & increasing difficulty from there.