DVD 5 : A Rider's Guide to Body Awareness

Mary explains the dynamics of riding by using dismounted exercises which mimic the biomechanical challenges invloved. Learning this muscle-use away from the horse can create fast and profound learnings which are then transferable to riding itself. These enable the rider to recognise and maintain a 'neutral spine', along with the balance, stability, and refined pelvic co-ordination which are needed to ride well.

Mary is joined by physiotherapists Anne Howard MPT; Catherine Hamber, MCSP, MAPA; and by Alexander Teacher Trisha Abrahamsen, MSTAT, BHSII. Together they illustrate the principles, the exercises, and some simple stretches which help to mitigate the muscle shortening which inevitably results from riding. 1hr 26min.

DVD 6 : Symmetry and Circles

The issues of asymmetry affect the rider throughout her career. Working on a circle often causes the novice rider to pull on the inside rein and collapse to the inside. Similar issues haunt more advanced riders as well, for they are symptoms of a lack of functional symmetry in the horse/rider system. Symmetry and Circles shows Mary working with riders, novice to advanced, analysing and correcting the problems inherent in turning and amplified by the asymmetries of the riders. 1hr 2min 57sec.

DVD 7 : Introduction to Lateral Work

For many riders learning lateral work is like learning a new language. Issues of symmetry take on new dimensions and only by stabilising her body on the correct vertical axis can the rider remain causal and limit the horse's evasions. Introduction to Lateral Work shows Mary's work with both novice and advanced riders as they tackle the initial stages of learning and discover the skills which enable them to position their own and their horse's body with increasing precision. 58min.

DVD 8 : Basic Principles... Advanced Movements

Many people aspire to ride half pass, flying changes and canter pirouettes without realising that the issues commonly faced in these movements have their origins in sound basic work. Basic Principles... Advanced Movements shows more advanced riders preforming advanced movements as they rediscover the basic principles which are the foundation of riding. Their work shows that the quality of the basic gait determines the quality of the movement and that subtle control of the rider's body is the key to more subtle control of the horse. 53min 17sec.