I ride classical dressage. I believe it's best for my horse because it focuses on developing a relationship between us. There is no pressure of competition. To me, it's all about that wonderful harmony that can exist between horse and rider. I also believe it's good for her physical well-being, too.
I ride classical dressage and my horse loves it. It's the best way to truly build a partnership.
I rode with someone who would have said she taught classical dressage, but the more lessons I took from her stiffer I became. So I stopped and went trail riding for a year. Now I'm looking for a new barn/trainer and have at least one person I think I can work with and develop that harmony we all look for.
I must say, I never thought there would be so much difference in dressage and classical dressage.
More than 10 years ago I stopped dressage because I couldn't stand it how I and other people were treating horses. I than learned a lot about Natural Horsemanship and loved it. Just didn't know how to apply it in dressage so tried western riding for a while and although that's nice to do swell, my heart is with dressage.
Can you imagine my surprise when I learned there is a way of riding that combines NH and dressage

like you all say, it's building on the relationship with your horse? You just work together instead of only trying to tell your horse what he has to do.