| The word "dressage" is French, and is most commonly | | | | larger arena, and will include all gaits (walk, trot, canter, |
| translated as "training." On her website, Theresa | | | | gallop), as well as more complicated movements, like |
| Sandin defines dressage as: "The guiding of a horse | | | | flying lead changes or pirouettes. |
| through a series of complex maneuvers by slight | | | | Currently, competitive dressage has nine levels, with |
| movements of the rider's hands, legs, and weight." | | | | progressively more difficult tests in each level. There |
| Dressage is a form of riding that focuses on a perfect | | | | are also tests written for musical freestyle, sport |
| partnership between horse and rider. The rider is not | | | | horses, and for multiple horse and rider pairs. However, |
| simply a passenger, but an active member of a | | | | in all levels of dressage competition, judges will |
| horse-human duo. | | | | consider rhythm, regularity, relaxation, contact, impulsion, |
| It has been said that dressage is both a journey and a | | | | and collection. |
| destination, with the core purpose of developing, | | | | If you would like to train in dressage, the first thing to |
| "through standardized progressive training methods, a | | | | do is find the right instructor. Ideally, it will be someone |
| horse's natural athletic ability and willingness to perform, | | | | who has ridden at the Grand Prix level and has |
| thereby maximizing its potential as a riding horse." In | | | | worked with other students with measurable, positive |
| short, after a lifetime of studying dressage, a horse | | | | results. Check references! |
| and rider make the strenuous look effortless. | | | | You will also need the right tack, starting with a decent |
| So, how did this beautiful style of riding begin? | | | | English dressage saddle, along with other items |
| Dressage has its roots classical Greek horsemanship, | | | | recommended by your instructor. |
| evolving out of the necessity to train horses to fight in | | | | Most importantly, you will need the right horse! While |
| battle, and those training techniques, over time, have | | | | there are many horses that are capable of performing |
| been employed to create an elegant dance in the | | | | dressage maneuvers (Quarter horses, Arabs, |
| show ring. It came to be considered an "important | | | | Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods, and even some draft |
| equestrian pursuit" during the Renaissance. By 1912, | | | | horses have all made it to the highest levels of |
| dressage had become an accepted form of training | | | | dressage competition), you need the horse that is right |
| and riding, although it took many more years before | | | | for you. This is the trickiest part - the part that is the |
| men who were not in the military and women came | | | | "art," and emotion, because there is only so much |
| into the picture as serious dressage riders and | | | | science and breeding will tell you. Only you and your |
| competitors. | | | | dedication to the relationship will determine if you and |
| Speaking of competition, what is a dressage show | | | | your horse will forge the deep bond necessary to go |
| like? | | | | all the way. And finally, if you want to train all the way |
| The dressage arena is a rectangle, with letters placed | | | | to the top, you must start with horse that is fairly |
| at evenly spaced intervals around the perimeter. | | | | young, say three or four years old. It takes years to |
| Competitors use the arena to present dressage | | | | train a horse properly (most Grand Prix and Olympic |
| routines, called "tests." The letters are markers that | | | | horses are in their teens). |
| dictate how and where particular moves are | | | | From the perspective of the spectator at a dressage |
| executed. Lower level tests are performed in a smaller | | | | competition, the rider should not appear to be overtly |
| arena, usually at a walk or trot. The movements are | | | | directing the horse in any specific way. It should look as |
| simpler and focus on lower level goals, like how well | | | | though the horse and rider have become one being, |
| the horse bends around the rider's leg (flexibility) | | | | and are moving together in complete unity. Watching a |
| whether the rider is on the correct diagonal while | | | | high-level (Grand Prix or Olympic) should be like |
| posting at a trot. Higher level tests are performed in a | | | | watching a ballet on horseback. |