Cathy Morelli Biography 

Cathy Morelli is a USET member who represented the United States in the 1990 Volvo World Cup in s’hertogenbosch Holland on her horse R.H. MacKinney, who was almost 20 years old at the time. She is a USDF Gold medalist and has been teaching and training Dressage horses for many years.

Cathy has a Bachelor of Science degree from Tampa University in Education where she graduated with honors. She taught school for several years until giving birth to her daughter.

Cathy Morelli Dressage has produced two videos that she hopes will help riders to enjoy their horses more, and enjoy riding even more.

The System - Understanding The Neck is a video demonstration of the training of dressage horses using the most humane and bio-mechanically correct system possible. Cathy Morelli believes that it is not necessary to use spurs and double bridles and other mechanical devices.

The System - Vol. 2 Symposium and Mounted Demonstration of Tools  learn how the various System tools are use in training the young and advanced dressage horse.

Cathy advocates training with a simple snaffle and no spurs. Her horses are much happier and willing to do what she asks. Judges are delighted to see horses that are not overbent, with short necks, and being forced into submission with big spurs. To be sure judges are thrilled when they see a horse in self-carriage without signs of resistance such as teeth grinding and tail wringing.

Cathy maintains that for a horse to perform properly at the Grand Prix level, the horse has to have developed powerful muscles, especially the hindquarters. One look at the horses she has trained is worth a thousand words.

You might say that The System is somewhat of a return to a more classical approach wherein the training is accomplished with the poll being the highest point. The System is not a modern training method, but rather is an explanation of what the masters have always taught and thought.

Dr. Reiner Klimke in his book Klimke on Dressage, Pg.13 1992 Half Halt Press, Inc. had this to say: "Unfortunately we see horses with over bent necks. The results are rigid back muscles and a blockage of the rear legs. Instead of gaining greater expression the horses movements are restrained. The horses gaits are worn down, rather then improved."