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Dressage is one of the most beautiful and precise equestrian disciplines and is consequently very difficult to learn. However, once you master the basic movements in this sport, you might be ready to perform your first dressage test at a horse show. more »
Impulsion is one of the most important concepts in dressage, but it is also one of the most illusive. If you feel that your horse doesn't have sufficient forward impulsion, it could be dropping your dressage scores considerably. more »
A dressage saddle is a rider's most valuable tool and you should know that the type of saddle you choose can impact your performance, comfort and communication. This doesn't mean you have to buy the most expensive product on the racks, but you should have a good idea of what you need before you start shopping. more »
A dressage horse has a difficult job that requires strength, stamina and flexibility. It is easy to burn a horse out by riding him too fast or too rough, and a proper warm-up before every ride is essential. Make sure your horse is loose and flexible before attempting any difficult maneuvers, and adjust your warm-up if your dressage... more »
Not every horse or pony will be competent at the sport of dressage, but all horses can benefit with some basic dressage training. This helps the horse become better coordinated and often more confident. A horse or pony does not have to be broken to saddle to begin basic dressage training. more »
Dressage is a beautiful dance where horse and rider function as a single unit and demonstrate a high degree of connection between each other.... more »
Dressage is the equine event that combines the precision and athleticism of gymnastics with the grace and reserve of ballet. This event has been... more »
The equine riding discipline dressage derives from the French word meaning trained. When done well dressage is a stunning display of grace,... more »
Dressage is one of the more complicated equestrian sports, and if you want to pursue this discipline aggressively, you'll need a horse that is... more »
If you're interested in the magical riding style of dressage and its horse and rider connection, there's no better way to study the art of... more »
Dressage (pronounced dress-ahhzh /ˈdrɛsɑʒ/) (a French term, most commonly translated to mean "training") is a path and destination of competitive horse training, with competitions held at all levels from amateur to the Olympics. Its fundamental purpose is to develop, through standardized progressive training methods, a horses natural athletic ability and willingness to perform, thereby maximizing its potential as a riding horse. At the peak of a dressage horses gymnastic development, it can smoothly respond to a skilled riders minimal aids by performing the requested movement while remaining relaxed and appearing effortless. Dressage is occasionally referred to as "Horse Ballet" (cf. :nl:Dressuur). Although the discipline has ancient roots, dressage was first recognized as an important equestrian pursuit in the West during the Renaissance. The great European riding masters of that period developed a sequential training system that has changed little since then. Classical dressage is still considered the basis of trained modern dressage.
Early European aristocrats displayed their horses training in equestrian pageants, but in modern dressage competition, successful training at the various levels is demonstrated through the performance of "tests" of prescribed series of movements within a standard arena. Judges evaluate each movement on the basis of an objective standard appropriate to the level of the test and assign each movement a score from zero to ten - zero being "not executed" and 10 being "excellent". A score of 9 is considered "very good" and is considered a particularly high mark, while a competitor achieving all 6s (or 60% overall) should be considering moving on to the next level.
Dressage horses
All riding horses can benefit from use of dressage principles and training techniques. However, horse breeds most often seen at the Olympics and other international FEI competitions are in the warmblood horse breeds category. Dressage is an read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dressage
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