| #ffffff;" /> | | | | effective in his or her aids and the smoothness of the |
| When thinking of dressage the first thing that often | | | | ride overall. |
| comes to mind are the incredible efforts of the riders | | | | As you gain experience and show in higher levels |
| in the Olympic dressage ring each Summer Olympics. | | | | things become more difficult. The horse is expected to |
| What many people don’t know is that there is | | | | carry itself in a correct frame, working on the bit and |
| a lot more to dressage than just competing at the | | | | moving forward from its hindquarters. While the basic |
| higher levels. | | | | three gaits are still important, the tests begin to add |
| “Dressage” is actually derived from the | | | | things like lengthening and shortening stride which |
| French word for “training”. So basically, | | | | gradually progresses to true collection and extension. |
| any training you do with your horse is a form of | | | | As the horse progresses, it will be expected to learn |
| dressage. From teaching your horse basic aids and | | | | lateral movements such as leg yields, half passes, |
| transitions to more advanced moves, proper training is | | | | shoulder in and many others. Further training moves |
| the key to dressage. | | | | into high-collection movements such as piaffe, |
| Any horse can learn dressage. At the lower levels | | | | pirouettes and multiple lead changes. |
| even the most homely pleasure horse can compete | | | | In the higher levels a horse is expected to be of a |
| successfully. This is because the basics of dressage | | | | higher quality. While in lower levels any horse should be |
| have nothing to do with how fancy a horse is or how | | | | able to perform adequately, the higher levels look for |
| well it moves, but instead are based on good | | | | an animal who is a class above the rest. Riders look |
| transitions, correct carriage and quality riding. Whether | | | | for horses with superb movement, often with lots of |
| you are looking to compete, or just want better | | | | action in the front end. They need to be able to track |
| enjoyment from your horse, basic dressage will give | | | | up from behind so that they can carry themselves in |
| you a leg-up in your riding. | | | | such a way as to free up the front end for higher level |
| At the lowest levels the movements in dressage are | | | | movements. Ideally riders seek a horse who naturally is |
| very simple. There are even classes set up for horses | | | | built uphill and who can carry itself in a good frame |
| and riders who are not yet ready to move up from | | | | without being restricted by conformational problems. |
| doing walk-trot. Basic tests focus on the walk, trot and | | | | Most riders prefer a bigger horse of a |
| canter, simple forms such as 20 meter circles and | | | | warmblood-type build, neither overly light, nor heavy. |
| riding across the diagonal and simple transitions. The | | | | A good dressage test is a true joy to watch. Horse |
| tests are judged on how willing the horse is, whether | | | | and rider work together in quiet unity seemingly |
| the movements are performed correctly, if the rider is | | | | dancing through the test as though in a private ballet. |