2012 DRESSAGE CLINICS
Clinics with a difference -- each on focusing on a different topic. They are specifically designed for riders competing at Preparatory to Elementary Levels.
They are held on the first Saturday of each month, at Il Cadore, Somersby, NSW.

  • The morning sessions work on the explanation, demonstration and practise of each topic.
  • Lunchtimes features a different specialist presenter each time.
  • Afternoons are for individual coaching sessions where riders learn how to improve their dressage scores.

The fees are $99 for the day (9.30 – 3.30), plus $11 for hire of Il Cadore facilities. Please bring your own lunch.
Half day: $66 plus $11.
Presenters are Coralie Smyth and Lita Hernandez, both NCAS Coaches.

To book please contact Coralie on 43721550, mobile 0417 461969 or email coralie-smyth@bigpond.com

These are the dates and topics for the first half of 2012:

4th February: Position, Balance and Classical Dressage
Morning: Position, balance and seat assessments -- many riders are not properly balanced and don’t realise it. This affects their harmony and effectiveness with the horse.
Lunchtime: All about Classical Dressage with the inspirational Libby Sauer.
Afternoon: Individual coaching with Coralie and Lita.

3rd March: The Basics and Saddle Fitting
Find out if there are any gaps in your horse’s early training and learn how to build a solid foundation now for success later on. Identify problems and find possible solutions for them.
Have your saddle checked professionally and learn the importance of having a well-balanced saddle for you and your horse.

7th April: Tempo Control
How to get super responsiveness from your horse, with the techniques used by the professionals. Teach your horse to respond instantly the lightest possible aids, and develop a connection with him that becomes virtually telepathic.

5th May: Lateral work
Lateral movements are the keys to collection and should be introduced early in a horse’s training.
Understand the functions of Leg yield and Shoulder-in, what their purpose is, and discover how to ride them correctly.

2nd June: Competition Success
Find out why some people consistently do well, while others don’t seem to progress as they should. There are many techniques and skills the professionals have which keep them in the top ten.
Learn how to ride a test well and what the judges look for.


Coralie specialises in training successful dressage competitors. Her approach is risk-free, thereby eliminating the majority of possible mistakes and not creating resistances. This enables riders to progress quickly and to enjoy the journey. Riders find that they are able to advance through the levels smoothly and place at most events. They learn about arena-craft and how to control any nerves that might adversly affect their performance.

Her formal qualifications include B. App. Sc. (Equine), Introductory Level EA NCAS Coach, Teacher of teachers (VETAB accredited), and Equine Physiotherapy courses with Catherine Bird, TTEAM and Sharon May-Davis. When these are combined with her significant overseas experience in Portugal, France, England and USA, a broad spectrum of knowledge and experience is available to aspiring riders.

Much of Coralie's work consists of rehabilitating horses that have been damaged, and helping their owners to ride more effectively and with lightness. She often does this in coordination with her daughter, Lita Hernandez, who is a successful competition rider and also an EA Level One coach.

As the author of the successful equestrian sport psychology book 'Ride Smarter' (published by Half Halt Press), Coralie is well-credentialled to help riders build confidence and to get the best out of themselves and their horse. A second book, 'Dressage Secrets' has just been finished along with booklets on Horsemanship and Dressage.

The priniciples that Coralie follows are very firmly rooted in the Classical Portuguese method as developed by Nuno Oliveira, whose philosophy was to always keep the horse comfortable. She regards in-hand work and long-reining as important parts of educating horses, and is finding that more and more riders are requesting these techniques to be included in the training of their horses.

As a clinician she is well-known for the unique format of her clinics -- that is, with a discussion/seminar session followed by practical ridden work and often with viewing of dressage DVDs, some of them quite rare. It is also possible to choose from a variety of clinic themes, for example: Dressage with Ground Work, Working Equitation, and Ride Without Fear (Confidence Clinics).

"Coralie is a brilliant communicator and teacher. She makes everything understandable and creates excellence."

-- C. St Clair