|
|
What is Dressage? Dressage is a French word that means "training". It has come to be both a training method and a competitive sport. As a training method, it prepares the horse for any number of disciplines, from show jumping to western reining. As a sport, competitive dressage challenges horse and rider to strive for even greater levels of precision and harmony. |
History of Dressage The art of riding was developed to a high degree and has its roots in classical Greek horsemanship. While many of the arts declined between Ancient Greece and the Middle Ages, the art of riding endured. The Middle Ages brought a more systematic approach to training - to strive for ever greater levels of precision and excellence in the horse's movement and harmony between horse and rider.
|
|
|
|
Purpose of Dressage Dressage was originally designed to show the horse's capability on the parade ground in performing various movements involved with reviewing troops. Today, the dressage test comprises a set of complicated movements performed in an enclosed arena. Dressage is very important to the three-day event rider for the purpose of conditioning the horse's muscles for the endurance test. They become fit, strong, and elastic to lengthen and shorten at a gallop. The purpose of the dressage test is to demonstrate the intense training the horse and rider have achieved to perform each movement with balance, supplies, and precision timing. The horse is extremely fit and the energy that is contained within the horse is incredible. Therefore, it is a remarkable feature in itself to control this energy and have the horse use it to his fullest advantage. |
|
Dressage Test Precision, smoothness, suppleness, and complete obedience show off the horse's gymnastic development. Ideally, it should look as if the horse is performing of its own accord, carrying its rider in complete harmony. The "playing field" for competitive dressage is a 20 X 60 meter arena with 12 letter markers spaced at specific points along the rails. The horse and rider perform a series of required movements at specific locations within the arena. Interestingly, no one seems to know the original source of the peculiar sequence of the letters or when their use was introduced to the sport. The test is scored on each movement, rather like the scoring in figure skating and the overall harmony and precision of the whole exercise are taken into consideration. One to five judges evaluate the performance. Scores range from zero (not executed) to 10 (excellent), with each movement receiving a "mark". Certain movements in each test have more emphasis than others, so marks for these moves are multiplied by a factor of 2, 4, or 6. The judges are also required to award what is referred to as "collective marks", for paces, impulsion, and submission of the horse and the position of the rider. These scores usually relate to the overall impression of the test as a whole. The scoring standard is absolute perfection, with winning Olympic level competition scores - considered the best in the world - falling in the 70% range.
|
|
|
|
Required Movements The combination of athletic ability, physical grace, and visual pleasure makes Dressage a wonderful sport for participants and spectators alike. A blending of discipline, demanding work, and artistry in a harmonious partnership between horse and rider is, perhaps, the greatest appeal of Dressage.
|
