About Dressage
Dressage is the foundation for all disciplines.
Dressage is the French term for "training" and it's purpose is to develop the
horse's natural athletic and willingness to work making him calm, supple and
attentive to his rider. It is both a method of schooling and a competitive
equestrian sport. Dressage uses a series of movements and figures, which
have been studied and developed for centuries. For this reason, it is
considered classical training.
In dressage competition, the riders guide their horses through a series of
movements at the walk, trot, and canter, using mainly leg and seat signals.
The horse's movements should be smooth, precise, and graceful, and the
riders signals should not be visable to the spectators. The movements are done
in a specific order and each movement in the exercise is judged and scored
on a scale of 0-10;the horse and rider with the most points win. Special dressage
movements include the passage, piaffe, and pirouette. A passage is a rythmic,
elevated trot in which the horse slowly moves forward. A piaffe resembles a
trot but it is performed without any forward, backward, or sideward movement.
A pirouette is a circle that the horse makes by pivoting its forelegs and one
hind leg around the other hind leg.
Currently competitive dressage involves nine progressive levels incorporating
multiple tests within each level. Special tests are also written for musical
freestyle, sport horse breeding and performance incorporating multiple horses
and riders. Competition occurs in a regulated size arena with special apparel and
equipment all regulated by USDF. Judges are licensed by the USEF and the FEI
and are assisted by scribes who write down the judge's scores and comments during
the tests.
Success in dressage is dependent on the riders position and ability but because of
the goal of the training, many horse breeds can be quite successful.
Watching dressage can be very exciting, especially the musical freestyle
rides or tests at FEI (highest) levels. Of growing popularity is the musical
freestyle. A rider picks a piece of music that fits the tempo of his horse's movements.
He then choreographs a routine that incorporates certain required talents.
The horse looks as if it is dancing in perfect rhythm to the music.
*Dressage is said to be Ballet on Horseback*
