From riding skills to riding thrills
Horses are your greatest passion and your life fulfillment.
You believe it is important to work together in a horse-friendly, caring way.
You want to keep your horse healthy as long as possible, and you continue to develop yourself as a rider to achieve this.
You have already consulted all possible professionals. Because everything has to be just right for your beloved horse. But you still haven’t found that wow feeling when riding.
You practise endlessly to improve the contact.
Your horse is crooked and is stronger on one side.
You work yourself to exhaustion to ride your horse forward, and at the end of the training session, you are more tired than your phlegmatic horse.
Or your horse runs out from under you, and you become uncomfortable because you have lost the feeling of control.
You do your very best to perform what your instructor keeps telling you to do: ‘Shoulders back, press your heels down, hands low!’
But you can't keep it up, and it even causes pain in your back and shoulders. And you're bleeding again from rubbing against your saddle, despite that expensive underwear.
If any of this sounds familiar to you, alarm bells should be ringing. Because horse riding should be fun. For both rider and horse! Horse riding should not be a source of suffering. Not for your horse, and not for you either.
Perhaps the solutions doesn’t lie in more blood, sweat and tears. Maybe you will not achieve your goal by training even harder. Perhaps the solution can’t be found within your horse, a different saddle, different food, the vet, a training aid, or yet another treatment by the osteopath.
What if YOU are the solution?
Riding often causes discomfort or even pain for our horses, due to (unconscious) blockages or imbalances in the riders.
What if small adjustments in your body could make the difference between frustration and flow?
Between pain and pleasure?
Between forcing and harmony?
Between struggling with your horse and a horse that is fully committed?
Between thinking and feeling?
Once you have experienced that your horse is your best instructor in optimising your seat and movements, you will enjoy the “Rider Biomechanics” training for a lifetime.
No one can ride perfectly, but everyone can ride better.
This training gives you visible and noticeable results, because it creates more unity in movement between rider and horse.
Not through the common instructions that only make you and your horse move even stiffer.
But by understanding the laws of biomechanics and performing them while riding or teaching.
By realising that your own balance and movement determines how your horse can move underneath your seat
By consciously using your balance and movement to help your horse improve, instead of being an annoying burden to your horse.
Horses have not studied biomechanics, read books or watched videos. But your horse will let you know when you improve, by moving better instantly. Your horse’s feedback will be quicker then any human instructor can ever be. This is often accompanied by a deep sigh of relief. And you don't just feel it in the movement, you’ll also see it when you look into their eyes. Because they will sparkle when the harmony is starting to appear.
'Riding' your horse – with your hands and legs – will change into ‘guiding’ your horse with your seat.
During this training, you will notice positive changes. A few examples:
- Your horse will move with better balance and (as a result) more freely. The healthier way of moving will prevent excessive strain and injuries. This also applies to you as a rider!
- You will ride more easily, more relaxed and with more confidence. As a result, you will be far less tired after riding, and every ride will give you a big mental boost.
- You will develop a better sense for your horse while riding. Yes, to feel your horse can be learned!
- Your horse will move more beautifully. A good seat gives more freedom of movement. You feel that freedom, and so do they.
- If you compete, you will see your results improve. Higher scores, faster jump-offs, lower heart rates, and... saluting the judge or passing the finish line with a big smile.
- You show up with your saddle, and your horse comes walking towards you, because riding is fun!
- You understand why riding problems arise. And you also know how to solve them. It happens often that riders have been struggling with a problem for months, and after finding the key in this training, the problem is solved in just one single training session.
- You recognise what makes a good instructor – and why.
Warning: You may become addicted to optimising your seat. Once you have seen and felt the logic, you can no longer look around it. Significant changes in your horse are sometimes found in the smallest details of your own body. These explorations might cause addiction… :)
Whether you're hooked or not, there's no greater thrill for a rider than achieving ultimate harmony with your horse. It feels as if your horse’s body is connected to your brains. That's what gives you that big smile. And you will experience that feeling more and more often. This is where the name ‘Horsing with a smile’ comes from 😊.
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This training is really phenomenal. Never before I have experienced so many positive changes in such a short period of time. Every rider should do this training...
Roos is not an instructor, but a catalyst!
“The smile”... Today I got the promised big smile already, while practicing part 1. Your training is set up really well!
Are you an equestrian professional?
- Rider
- (Riding school) Instructor
- (Top-level) trainer
- Equestrian teacher
- Saddle fitter and/or bit fitter
- Osteopath, physiotherapist, massage therapist, etc.
- Veterinarian
- Farrier
- Coach
Then this training is a must-have for you, as it will provide a solid foundation for your work!
If you work on the well-being of riders and/or horses, then you want insight into biomechanics. Insight into how the rider's seat affects their horse. This training will teach you to see more, to get a better understanding of your clients' problems, and therefore to really help them in a valuable way.
Clients are becoming increasingly knowledgeable nowadays. More and more riders understand the importance of thorough knowledge of biomechanics. This training prevents customers leaving you or choosing another professional when they are looking for one, because they prefer a professional who has studied healthy biomechanics and is already profiting from the benefits. Dissatisfied customers not only affect your income, but also detract from the enjoyment of your work.
On the other hand... What is better than happy and grateful customers who keep returning to you, because you help them and their horses to enjoy riding?
This training makes this reality, because you know the real solutions where others only treat the symptoms.
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What makes this training so unique?
The driving force behind this training is Roos Dyson, owner of “Gepaard met een lach” (‘Horsing’ with a smile).
After completing her equestrian education in Deurne (2000) and pursuing a full-time career in horses, Roos joined Akasha Rijkunst in 2009. This formed the foundation for her specialisation in posture, seat and biomechanics.
During this training, she kept wondering why she had never been taught this knowledge before. It made her riding and teaching so much more logical – and therefore better and more enjoyable.
She made it her mission to incorporate this missing link into all branches and levels of regular equestrian sports. In 2014, Roos won the title “Horses Product of the Year”.
This award was for her invention “Rider Fitness” (now a common term in the Netherlands), in combination with her live course “Houding, Balans en Inwerking” (Posture, Balance and Biomechanics). This proven course forms the basis of this training.
Because her unique method proved to be successful with beginners as well as top-level riders, “Gepaard met een lach” has become increasingly well known in the Netherlands and Belgium. Thousands of riders from different disciplines have already experienced that “Gepaard met een lach” (“Horsing with a smile”) is not just a name, but also the result. One smile fits all!
In 2022, Roos's unique teaching method earned her the Dutch title of “Equestrian Instructor of the Year”.
Since then, posture and seat instructors have been popping up like mushrooms.
Roos's mission seems to be succeeding.
Roos says:
"Sitting ‘picture perfect’ is not the primary goal. A good seat is not static. A functional seat develops in motion and is not the same for every horse and for every moment. I don't tell you literally what you should do. I help you discovering what works best by experimenting, gaining awareness, feeling, and ‘listening’ to your horse.
Feeling and knowing what your horse needs and responding to that with conscious body control is what it's all about.
The perfect picture, a big smile, and the WOW factor will come naturally when the rider helps the horse with its seat to find a good balance and freedom of movement."
Roos also uses ‘groundwork’ in her lessons. However, not for the horses, but for the riders! This unique mix of ingredients, combined with a high dose of horse welfare and a touch of humour, make this training very valuable. Roos is very grateful to every person who follows this training, because it contributes to her mission: “Every ridden horse deserves awareness of the z zo biomechanics”.
Roos says:
‘Unfortunately, I can only be at one place at the time. But with this training, I can come into your living room and into your own riding arena to help you, for as long and as often as you want me to be there!’
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This training course consists of 5 parts.
In addition to texts and images, this training course contains a total of 35 videos and 45 practical exercises.
The structure is as following:
1) INTRO
Preparatory information and checklists
2) Following the movement
*Theory
*Analysis
*Practical exercises
-> Side view: posture and alignment
-> Muscle use
-> Mobility of the joints
-> Stability versus mobility
-> Rider movement in walk, trot, canter, light seat
4 extensive videos in which Roos teaches this lesson to four different riders
3) From following to guiding your horse
*Theory
*Analysing your horse's balance
*Getting to know your own body
*Learning to feel
*From skills to thrills: improving your horse
-> Hind view
-> Vertical balance
-> Weight distribution
-> Symmetry rider and horse
-> Longitudinal flexion
4 extensive videos in which Roos teaches this lesson to four different riders
4) ‘Horsing’ with a smile...
* Advanced theory
* Leg aids
* Rein contact
* Learning principles of horses
* Consciously (not) giving aids
* Training scale; the connection with seat and biomechanics
* Mental skills
* Additional techniques
-> Developing a trainer's eye
-> Developing rider's feel
-> Improving communication
-> Developing riding skills
4 extensive videos in which Roos teaches this lesson to four different riders
5) FOLLOW UP
Because the end of this training is only the beginning...
Do you know, that…
- Practically every sceptical rider who has been introduced to Roos' videos has changed their opinion about learning about riding with the help of videos.
- People from the same family or stable can do this training together. This gives an extra educational value for both of them.
- The majority of people who start this training experience their first big smile already in part 1.
- Most riders stop using training ‘aids’ when their seat improves.
- Investing an hour or two a week in the course material is enough to get started on this mastering your practical skills while riding or teaching.
- You can free up time for this training by riding one time less per week. It’s better to ride efficiently four times a week then to create problems with a bad seat five times a week!
- With the right mindset, you will never stop learning as a rider or teacher. But after three months of practicing this training, you will already experience a boost that will be of value for the rest of your life!
One horse, one rider, one movement, one training...
‘In two days, tomorrow will be yesterday!’
This training will give you and your horse(s) a huge transformation, without having to pay thousands of euro's for an expensive education, and without having to be away from home for days on end, taking your horse through miles of traveling.
And don't forget:
Today is the first day of the rest of your life! 😊
FAQ
I don't believe in online learning when it comes to horse riding. How can this work for me?
The mistake many riders make is that they consider online training to be a replacement for lessons from an instructor in the arena. Indeed, it is NOT! What it is, is a very valuable SUPPLEMENT to this. Here are some quotes from riders who were initially sceptical, after getting to know Roos' videos. ~ Although I often look at students in my class with a raised eyebrow when they are “just watching videos”, I have to revise my opinion somewhat. Because after watching the videos, I realised that visual material can really add value. With one important note: that added value comes mainly from Roos herself. Her teaching style – even via a screen – is clear, light-hearted and surprisingly educational. She knows how to convey complex matters in a simple way. Of course, a video can never replace the real thing: getting in the saddle, finding your balance, feeling the timing or going with your horse's breathing. You learn to ride by doing it. Period. But videos can support you. They help you to observe better, recognise your own mistakes, read body language – both your own and your horse's. They offer insight and inspiration to train more consciously. Add to that the concrete instructions Roos gives, and you have a learning environment that works.~ Not everyone benefits from the same type of instructions. I must admit that this is what made me a little hesitant about the online course, but I am pleasantly surprised. The videos also show or explain things from different angles, so that at some point you always think, “Ah yes, of course, that makes sense”. And when you find something logical, it's so much easier to remember and apply. As far as I'm concerned, definitely recommended! ~ ~ I was a bit sceptical, because you can't learn horse riding from behind your keyboard. But the videos are really informative and clear. And for everyone, from beginners to Grand Prix riders, the videos are useful and can be applied in practice or broaden your understanding of riding. They make you think, and you take that with you when you're on your horse. So, apply the theory in practice! ~Can I do this training by myself? And how will I know if I'm doing it right if no one is there to correct me?
Of course, you can always have someone watch you, but you can be sure that you will feel the improvement in your horse. Horses change their movement IMMEDIATELY when you sit better. And if it feels better, then it IS better. So that instructor you so desperately want confirmation from is right under your saddle. That instructor's motto is: ‘Actions speak louder than words!’ 😊Is this online training suitable for me?
This online training is made for every rider, every instructor and every equestrian professional who wants to get a deeper understanding about how the rider influences the movement of it's horse. (Awareness about) a good seat is the basics of all basics. The way you sit is the way your horse moves, and conscious riders / skilled instructors make happy and healthy horses. If you're a rider, It doesn’t matter if you hack outside, ride once a week on a riding school or are competing at top level in no matter which discipline, this training will always teach you new insights and make you a better rider or teacher for your horse(s). There is only one condition; you must not be afraid to take some time and effort to study, and to go out of your comfort zone now and then. This training is made for people who want to know it all, who want to go all the way. After this training you'll not only find the way to more harmony and a sound way of riding. You'll also have the knowledge and insight to solve riding problems in a fundamental way. I dare to say that for many equestrians, the insights that are brought in this training have been life changing...How long do I have access to the content?
Lifelong! You will have a guaranteed access to the online training for the period of two years. After this period, you will have free access to the training as long as the training exists. So you have lifelong access for the length of the life of this online training! My mission is to improve the quality of equestrian sports and horse welfare, so my intention is to keep this training online for as long as I live, and beyond...Do I get enough value for my money?
We give you the guarantee of two years access plus the lifetime of this training. When you buy this online training, you can use the link as much as you want and from anywhere in the world where you have internet access. Even when you count from the minimum of two years, it means you paid a monthly cost of less then € 18,75 per month. (€ 447,- : 24 months). And the most important, priceless things: This training contains life changing knowledge and skills! After completing the content, riding and teaching will give you so much more fulfillment and joy, I promise you that! And even in the unlikely event of quitting your equestrian activities, this training will leave you with more body awareness and healthier movement patterns for the rest of your life!Can I afford the costs of the online training?
Please keep in mind that this training is an investment that will save you a lot of costs! The price is comparable with 1-2 months of maintaining your horse. Think of the improvements it will give you to be able to move up to a next competition level faster. And the awareness and skills to get more profit out of all your riding lessons. Or the absence of discomfort in your own body like back pain or riding related injuries, because you learn how to use your body in a healthy way. Think of the frustration because of miscommunication with your horse. Bad behavior of your horse might disappear after solving the problems that block him. Think of one single vet bill that might be saved on, because you learn how to train in a way that your horse profits from training in stead of overasking him. And maybe the most important one of all: think of the joy that you will get from the harmony with your horse(s) that you will find in this training. This one is priceless! PS: Payment can optionally be done in 3 monthly terms. After the first payment, you get full access to all the content.Do I have a satisfaction guarantee?
Because online products can not be 'returned', we don't do refunds. But because I only want to have satisfied users (or users that are 'over the moon'), I have a solution for this. If you are in doubt if the online training will suit you, please contact me (info@gepaardmeteenlach.nl). I am happy to make a phone call appointment and have a talk about what you are looking for and if the online training is giving you the answers. These calls have brought wonderful conversations which are also very valuable and inspiring for me, so please don't hesitate to use this option, without any obligations of buying!How much time does this training take?
We recommend to take enough time to practice all the exercises on your horse, before you move up to the next part. When riders do the similar course in live lessons, the quickest possible time is 6 weeks. But because this online training has more information and more exercises, it will probably take more than one week to finish one part. Then you will need 2-6 weeks (depending on how often you ride) to master your new skills in a way that they become part of your riding in a automatic way. When you notice this, then it’s time to move on to the next part. To be sure that you don’t need to rush and you can take as much time as you need or like, you will have lifetime access. PS: We are working on a written example of a time schedule that you can use as a guide line.What if I have questions about the content of this online training?
If you have a question, you can send an email to info@gepaardmeteenlach.nl. We will try to answer your question within 1 week.I would like to follow live lessons on the subjects of this online training. Is this possible?
Roos Dyson gives clinics all over the world. You can send an email to info@gepaardmeteenlach.nl if you want to receive more information about organizing a clinic with Roos. At this moment Roos doesn’t do (online) private lessons, but we might offer this possibility in the future. Please let us know if you are interested in this!Will the content of this training match with the lessons I’m taking from my own instructor?
If you have a skilled, well educated instructor I dare to say yes. The things you learn in this training are the basics of all basics which you need for everything you do in riding. Sometimes it happens that instructions are contradictionary when teachers are only focused on sitting ‘picture perfect’, without taking functionality and biomechanics into account. (For example teachers who tell you to sit with your shoulders back and your hands close together.) In this online training, you will learn to judge if your teacher is teaching you the right things for healthy biomechanics and happy horses and riders….I would like to practise the exercises in this online training with my own trainer. Can I do that?
Yes, we highly encourage this! You can tell or show the exercises and the analysis forms (on your phone or printed) to your trainer and ask him or her to help you. Please don’t share the link of this online training to your trainer or to anyone else. If your trainer is interested in a cooperation to become an affiliate partner of 'Rider Biomechanics by Roos Dyson', they can contact us by sending an email to info@gepaardmeteenlach.nl.I’m a professional (competition) rider or trainer, is this online training suitable for me?
Yes! This training will uplift your skills and insights as a rider or trainer. This training contains information and exercises that will not be found in ‘normal’ equestrian literature, educations and lessons. If you have many students and if you are interested in a cooperation to become an affiliate partner of 'Rider Biomechanics by Roos Dyson', you can contact us by sending an email to info@gepaardmeteenlach.nl.I am a riding school teacher, is this online training suitable for me?
Yes! This online training will give you loads of inspiration to upgrade your lessons in a way that gives more fun and healthier movement patterns for both your school horses and your clients, no matter their level or age. This training contains information and exercises that will not be found in ‘normal’ equestrian literature, educations and lessons. If you have many riding school clients and if you are interested in a cooperation to become an affiliate partner of 'Rider Biomechanics by Roos Dyson', you can contact us by sending an email to info@gepaardmeteenlach.nl.I have problems with my back, is this online training suitable for me?
Many riders suffer from back pain due to a wrong posture and therefore blocking themselves in the movements they need in order to follow the movements of their horse. This is not only uncomfortable or even harmful for the horse, but also in long term very damaging for the rider. In this online training, you will learn how to use your body in a sound way. If you are having problems like chronic back pain, hernia’s, scoliose etc. Then it is extra important to use your body in a right way. When you're in doubt of your personal situation regarding this training, please feel free to contact us, and we can schedule a phone call to find out if this online training is possible for you, or maybe even be of a great help. Please send an email to info@gepaardmeteenlach.nl if you like to schedule a phone call.I'm having some (chronic) physical problems. Is this online training suitable for me?
Please read the answer above about back problems. The same answer counts for other physical problems.I am a para rider, is this training suitable for me?
In this training you will learn how to communicate with your seat, your pelvis being the first and most important physical contact with your horse. If you have (some) control over the area around your pelvis, this training is suitable for you. In this training you will learn to ride with the smallest possible – or even completely without - leg and rein aids.I have a young horse just started under saddle, is this training suitable?
The exercises in this online training exist of ground exercises and ridden exercises. It is preferable to have a horse that knows the basics and is relaxed, so you can focus on yourself. The ideal situation would be if you can also ride an older horse that knows the basics, apart from your youngster. If you don't have this opportunity, I would still say: Go for it! You want to give your young horse the best possible start in using it’s body in a sound manner, and find the best possible communication with it’s rider to gain trust and confidence. Therefore we recommend this training not only for a good start of a novice rider, but this training has also indispensable knowledge to start your young horse(s) in the best possible way.When is this training NOT suitable for me?
Please do NOT buy this online training (yet) if you relate to the following: * You don't have a desire to know why you have to do something, and would rather just blindly follow your instructor's instructions without thinking about it. * You are not open to change. * Your days/weeks are already so full that you don't have time to spend (on average) about an hour per week reading text and watching videos. *You find it too scary to go (a little bit) out of your comfort zone. *You'd rather spend your free time watching television or scrolling on social media, in stead of using your brains to learn new insights and skills. *You'd rather just blame your horse when something doesn't work out.What is the minimum or maximum age for this online training?
If you do this online training on your own, we recommend a minimum age of 12 years. If you are a parent and want to support your kids, you can start with most of the exercises at the age of plm 6 years old. The maximum age…. Anyone who can ride a horse can do this online training, no matter the age. Age is just a number you know. And in Holland we say: “You are never to old to learn.” Another quote I like is this one: “Live every day as if it is your last, but educate yourself as if you live forever”. PS: The record of oldest customers for this training is 71. One is a male pleasure rider in Portugal, the other one is a female Grand Prix dressage rider who has been competing in the Dutch national team! If you are older then 71, you are more then welcome to brake the record! :)