Dressage Today Podcast

As part of our 2026 Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final post-coverage, this episode, sponsored by Tribute, features a press conference with the top three riders following the freestyle competition—Becky Moody, Christian Simonson and Sandra Sysojeva.

British dressage powerhouse Becky Moody and her homebred 11-year-old gelding Jagerbomb delivered a dynamite and near flawless freestyle 2026 Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final i...

This month, Aviva and Stephany interview Noel Williams of Noel Williams Dressage, based in Maryland. They catch up with what has been going on with each other – Mary Wanless, Maui and an exciting trip coming up (or going down centerline!) for Stephany, and a bittersweet sharing for Aviva. In the Ask the L, they discuss what is needed to have a successful move from Training to First Levels – thanks to Deana for the question!

The daug...

In this month’s episode, Stephany and Aviva interview their first Hometown Hero, Anne Mouen Stahl. With more than forty years of experience teaching both amateur and professional riders, Anne has come to appreciate the profound importance of establishing a strong, reliable foundation in every rider’s training. She has been fortunate to train horses and riders through every level of dressage, from Training Level to Grand Prix. This ...

This month, we are bringing back an older interview from Stephanie Ruff and Aviva, where they interviewed Chelsey Canedy. The reason we are revisiting this interview is that Chelsey has a new book out, and we are looking forward to getting her BACK on the podcast to talk to us about her latest book. We thought it would be great for people to hear her original story so they could be up to date when we interview her later this year. ...

This month is a little different for a couple of reasons – first, we do not have Ask the L question for the first time in a long time! Please, loyal listeners, send us your burning questions about showing, your tests, a specific movement or anything else that Aviva can answer in that segment!

We introduce our new segment, Hometown Heroes – we are interested in hearing form our listeners about people in their world that have been a p...

It’s November, the month to be thankful. Aviva and Stephany open the podcast with the things that they are thankful for in their worlds.

In the Ask the L segment, Aviva talks about the 2x coefficient on the tests, where it shows up, why it shows up and what it should tell you!

In this month’s episode, Aviva and Stephany speak with Jenny and Sara from The Dressage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization, whose...

In this month’s episode, Aviva and Stephany catch up with each other, talking about their latest wins, losses and learns.  Stephany shares her experience at Regional Championships and Aviva shares some very exciting news about going to Israel!  In addition to these big moments, Stephany talks about her 2 latest articles that came out, one on DressageToday.com and one in print In Practical Horseman.  As the year is sp...

In this episode, Aviva and Stephany catch up about what they have been doing, including some interesting conversation about Stephany’s Fourth Level Freestyle with Dante. Aviva tackles a difficult Ask the L question from Cass about horses being behind the bridle in the show arena, and gives us some different things to think about in relation to that! In our interview, both of the ladies got to chat with Kathy, and it was more of th...

Intro and Ask the L – Aviva and Stephany catch up and talk about the heat and how they are each dealing with it. In the Ask the L segment, Aviva answers a question from Sarah about what to do if your horse does a flying change in a 2nd level test instead of the proscribed movement.

Interview with Dr. Wendy Rice – Aviva and Stephany get to know Dr. Wendy, how she got to be a psychologist and how she decided to blend her career with ...

In this month’s episode, Aviva reflects on the weight of social media on our riding, how easy it is to criticize in the name of “critiquing” and how we can never know the full story just from a picture of a video. She and Stephany share their thoughts on how we can all be kinder, and as riders we can always work to be better, but that most people are out their doing their best every ride. Stephany shares her latest win with Dante a...

Aviva and Stephany catch up about Stephany’s recent horse show experience and how Dante is now an official 4th level horse! They also talk about one of Stephany’s cows coming home, and the new babies…

In the Ask the L segment, Aviva talks about switching the whip during a class, the do’s and don’ts of that. We also talk about when you are allowed to carry a whip in a class and when you cannot!

We speak with Beth and learn about how...

Aviva and Stephany catch up on what’s going on – Stephany’s travels, her new baby cows, Aviva has a potential buyer for Ralphie!  

Aviva has an amazing question from Alex about conformation, effort and how that is recognized in a test.  She gives us a lot to think about with her answer – are you riding a 6 mover?  Are you a 6 rider?  What is a good expectation for an average horse, and where are there places...

We Interview Mehrdad Baghai of JRD Saddlery about saddle making and saddle fitting.

Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky (horsepenhillfarm@aol.com) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman (stephanyfish@gmail.com)

Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Guest: Mehrdad Baghai of JRD Saddlery | Connect with JRD Saddlery on Facebook

Link: Video Subscription Site

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Aviva and Stephany catch up on what’s been going on lately – Stephany talks about her 6 days with Mary Wanless, the selling of her Brooksville farm and the purchase of her new young horse, So Special!  

In the Ask the L segment, Aviva answers a great question from Jamie:  If I am in a test and things start going badly and I feel unsafe – is it ok to dismount?  Thanks Jamie for a great question, and Aviva for havi...

Stephany and Aviva catch up on their own pony journeys, with Aviva dealing with yet more snow and Stephany recounting how her latest lessons went with Kathy Connelly.  We get a really great question for “Ask the L” about corners, and as usual, Aviva makes it so much more digestible!  

We have a word from Purina, who is the sponsor of this month’s podcast.  

In this episode, Stephany and Aviva chat with Suzann...

In this episode of the Dressage Today Podcast, sponsored by EQUESTRIAN+, our interview is with Aviva herself! We talked about how she started riding, what prompted her to fall in love with dressage, the decisions she’s made and the horses she’s loved—all the pieces that have shaped her career. Aviva also shared her experience representing the U.S. at the Maccabee Games in Israel, and what it meant to her. W...

Aviva and Stephany catch up on what is going on with them, and Stephany has some exciting news about a grant she received from The Dressage Foundation!

Next, Aviva gives us input on how to improve your leg yield from the point of view at C, in our Ask the L segment

We have a word from our sponsor, Purina and then we step into interviews from USDF Convention.

Stephany interviews Lindsay Burns from GDCTA in Region 3. Lindsay is a fi...

Aviva and Stephany discuss the latest L question from Sasha regarding how to ride the shallow loop in Training Level Test 3.  

We go to commercial from our sponsor, Equithrive, on its supplements to make your horse’s life better and your life easier! 

Aviva and Stephany interview Mary Wanless, the creator of the Ride With Your Mind Rider Biomechanics system.  We talk about how Mary got started, how her program dif...

Welcome to the Training Buzz sponsored by Purina. Hear a bit from retired FEI 5* judge Axel Steiner as he challenges a rider to ride without stirrups as she schools First and Second Level movements on a schoolmaster. He suggests practicing this skill to work on the rider’s position and help activate the rider’s core muscles during the training session.

Members of Equestrian+ can watch the full video with Steiner here. Not a member? ...