Braveheart Bringing The Highlands Into The Dressage Arena

When I saw this year’s Horzehoods Braveheart collection, with its Highland-inspired tartans and colours, my imagination travelled to Scotland, its wonderful open landscapes and the freedom of movement we associate with horses.

I thought about riding in a grass arena in the Highlands, surrounded by hills and open countryside. The arena letters would be familiar, and I could ride the same shapes and patterns I use when schooling horses at home, but the landscape would bring a different feeling to the experience.

I sat at my desk to translate that story into three floorplans, bringing the Highland landscape into the arena through Across the Highlands, The Three Hills and The Gathering.

Familiar patterns, a different perspective

One of the things I enjoy about riding and coaching is how the shapes and patterns we ride help us communicate with our horses and, over time, develop balance and suppleness.

Imagine riding with me for a moment, in a grass arena in the Scottish Highlands, with hills stretching into the distance. We have the familiar arena letters to guide us, and our schooling plans can take us across the Highlands, over three hills and back to a gathering place.

There are changes of direction to ride, transitions to prepare and variations in stride to explore, with the landscape inspiring us to be in the moment with our horse.

Three chapters of a Highland story

I've created three floorplans inspired by our imaginary ride in the Highlands, each offering ideas to enjoy as part of your schooling programme.

The Gathering is where our story begins, bringing horse and rider together through communication, attention and the first shapes and patterns of the ride.

Across the Highlands invites us to explore new variations, using the whole arena to open the stride and enjoy the freedom of movement.

The Three Hills brings us into canter, developing power and balance while enjoying the feel of finding adjustability in the canter strides.

Together, the three floorplans tell a story, with each chapter offering something different to explore with your horse.

Take the Highland story into your arena

Your Highland ride is mapped out for you!

The three Braveheart-inspired schooling cards give you exercises to ride. The patterns will help you develop your horse's balance and suppleness, work on your communication and their understanding of your aids, as well as being great fun to ride.

Come and ride the Highlands!

Download your cards today and picture the arena letters in a new landscape.