A Day in the Life of a Dressage Rider and Coach

My mornings usually start by being woken up by the resident cat manager, Splodge, who is the real boss of Furzen Farmhouse. After coffee(s) the horses are fed, and then each horse is checked before turnout; that they look happy, show no signs of stress through the night, are eating normally and walk keenly to the field. All horses go out daily, and we rotate fields regularly to keep the ground fresh and the grazing quality high. Time outside allows the horses to move freely, stretch, and rest mentally before they’re exercised later in the day.

Morning Coaching

While the horses are out, I do the stable work and general yard maintenance and upkeep. Keeping everything looking smart and being functional sets the right standards both for myself, guests and clients. I then put my coaching cap on most days. Some clients come here to train, others I travel to across the region. I work with both dressage and event riders, which keeps my teaching varied and interesting.

Regardless of the discipline, the first focus is always to ensure horse and rider are in the right mental state to work together and improve on their current skills. Sometimes that means going back to some more basics elements of the training, and sometimes that means pushing the comfort zone slightly. My favourite sayings are “world class basics” and “gold standards win gold medals”!

The work is always dependent on the daily form of the partnership, and whether there is a specific event coming up which needs training for. Sessions usually last between 30-50 minutes; often younger horses require shorter sessions (to not tire them out too much) and the older horses slightly longer (to allow them to warm up properly).

Afternoon Riding

Once the horses come in from the fields and have eaten their lunch, the riding part of my day begins. I usually ride three to four horses each afternoon, depending on the training schedule and competition plans.

The younger horses do shorter, simpler sessions focused on rhythm, straightness, and confidence. For the more experienced horses, the work is more specific — adjusting balance in collected movements, improving transitions, or fine-tuning suppleness and self-carriage.

I structure each session with a clear warm-up, focused work period, and relaxed cool-down. Even at higher levels, the emphasis is always on rideability and consistency rather than overcomplicating the work. Horses progress best when they stay mentally settled and physically comfortable. A trainer of mine always says “if you can’t understand what you’re doing, the horse definitely can’t either” – keep it simple and relevant and identify the cause of the issue before trying to fix anything; this is key to progressing the training and ensuring the horse enjoys the work.

Variety is a big part of the program. In addition to arena work, we include hacking, interval training, polework, and long reining to keep the horses fresh. These variations reduce physical strain and help prevent tension or boredom. It is a common mistake especially amongst low to mid-level riders, that they don’t keep themselves or their horses fit enough to be able to do the expected job. Even a small but regular amount of stretching, cardio or strength training for both horse and rider goes a really long way. A good basic fitness makes the job much easier and therefor more enjoyable.

Late-Day Coaching and Yard Work

Later in the afternoon, I often have one more lesson either on the yard or off-site. In the winter, the lack of daylight can be restrictive to the majority of us who work without indoor arenas, so being efficient is of the essence!

There are fewer big shows during the winter months, so this period is often spent giving the horses a little holiday, or focusing more on the long term goal for the horse. Maybe the horse will step up a level next year, so you can spend more time consolidating new exercises, so the horse can confidently present at a higher level next season.

By early evening, the horses are finished for the day. They’re fed, checked, and settled with hay and water. The routine is consistent 365 days a year — it’s what keeps the yard running smoothly and the horses relaxed.

Balancing Work and Home

Keeping the horses at home is a luxury and has many advantages. It allows for consistency in care, flexible scheduling, and close oversight of every detail. Our old farmhouse also operates as an Airbnb, which adds another dimension to daily life. We also welcome horse riders to stay here with their horses, either for training stays or to attend local equestrian events, of which there are many! It’s a busy environment, but well-organised systems keep everything manageable.

The Core Principles

Across both riding and coaching, the focus remains on three things:

1. Welfare: Horses must be physically and mentally comfortable to perform what we ask of them.

2. Clarity: Riders need to understand what they’re asking and why.

3. Consistency: Improvement happens through small, repeatable steps.

Dressage training is a long-term process. Whether I’m schooling my own horses or coaching others, the approach doesn’t change — stay methodical, observe the details, and make adjustments based on how the horse feels, not just what’s on the training plan. It’s structured work built around clear priorities, and while it’s demanding, it’s also rewarding to see steady progress over time, both in the horses and the riders I coach.