| An easy description of dressage is horse ballet. The | | | | the pyramid and not simply show and perform the |
| aim of dressage is to develop the horse's natural ability | | | | highest level. |
| and willingness to perform. At peak performance a | | | | When competing at the lower levels of dressage you |
| dressage horse is relaxed whilst performing a | | | | are judged on the basics. This is what the judges are |
| movement requested by the rider. The overall picture | | | | looking for: your horse has what they call impulsion, this |
| of the horse should be effortless and the rider's aids | | | | can be described as moving forward, starting to come |
| appear minimal. | | | | up through his back and is accepting your (rider's) aids. |
| Dressage training and competitions take place in an | | | | He has a number of horses to look at in the |
| arena. Generally there are two sizes; small (20 m by | | | | competition and he is going to be looking for the horse |
| 40 m) and the standard arena which is 20 m by 60 m. | | | | and rider who have performed the basics the best. |
| Dressage movements are performed at specific | | | | As you progress through the levels of dressage your |
| positions around the arena. Letters are assigned or | | | | horse should be more supple and able to perform |
| placed on the arena to know where the specific | | | | movements such as shoulder-in and haunches-in. No |
| positions are. | | | | matter what level of dressage you enter, always train |
| Competitions in dressage are held from amateur levels | | | | the correct way. Do not take short cuts so that your |
| to the Olympic Level. Lower levels of dressage | | | | horse looks good, they will not serve you well in the |
| competition may only require the rider to walk and trot. | | | | end and you may have to retrain your horse from the |
| These shows are often held in your local area and | | | | start. |
| should not be difficult to find in order to enter. As you | | | | Warm bloods are the type of horse that is mostly |
| compete and advance through the various levels, the | | | | seen competing in the top levels of dressage. |
| dressage tests will increase in difficulty. Competitions | | | | Dressage is an equal sport in which all breeds are |
| require more movement and skill from the lower levels | | | | given an opportunity to compete successfully. The |
| up to the final competition level which is Grand Prix and | | | | techniques and principles of dressage can be learned |
| International Competitions. | | | | by any riding horse. . |
| A dressage training scale is used as a guide for | | | | Each country has a governing body over dressage |
| training the horse. It is arranged in a pyramid fashion | | | | and it is advisable to research the levels and tests |
| starting with "rhythm and regularity" at the bottom of | | | | pertaining to the country in which you live. That way |
| the pyramid working it's way up to "collection" which is | | | | you are fully prepared for the competitions in which |
| at the top of the scale. Each level is to be developed | | | | you choose to partake. You will know the various |
| and improve on as the horse progresses in training. | | | | levels of competition and what is required from horse |
| Thus a Grand Prix horse, competing at the top level of | | | | and rider in each level. |
| competition still needs to perform the bottom levels of | | | | |