What Is Dressage?

Dressage is a discipline that teaches horses to perform coordinated and fluid movements in obedience to their riders. It is a sport that requires an immense amount of training for both horse and rider as the discipline progresses through its levels. It has a long history dating back to Xenophon’s On Horsemanship and continues to evolve at high levels of the FEI (Federal Equestrian International) competition.

As you move up through the levels of Dressage, the movements become increasingly complex and are designed to enhance the horse’s strength, balance, symmetry and ability to carry more weight on its hind legs. The horse becomes more relaxed and calmer, and responds better to the riders aids.

The rider’s technique, as well as the horse’s suppleness and responsiveness are evaluated by a panel of judges. Each element of the horse’s performance is graded separately and a total score is awarded at the end of the test.

Riders are encouraged to use a light bridle that allows them to feel the horse’s body and movement. They also use a bit that helps them to communicate with their mount. The most common type of bits used in Dressage are called snaffles and consist of a single bar that runs from one side of the mouth to the other. There are many different types of snaffles, however, and riders are not allowed to use any type of mouthpiece that isn’t permitted by FEI rules.

It is vital that the horse in training for Dressage is able to be calm and relaxed. This will help it to focus on performing the tasks set for it rather than becoming tense and worried about being judged. In addition, the horse must be able to cope with the repetition of the same movements over and over again, as well as having good coping skills around other horses in the arena.

As a result, it’s best to look for a Dressage trainer who has a great relationship with their students and is able to get the most out of their mounts. If you’re unsure where to start, ask around at local stables and tack shops to see if anyone can recommend someone. You can also watch Dressage competitions in your area to see if you can spot a trainer who has a lot of success with their riders.

In top competitions, such as the Olympics, the very best combinations may choose to do a Musical Freestyle, which is choreographed to music and is designed to showcase the talents of the horse and rider. This is highly entertaining and offers a unique opportunity for the competitors to show off their partnership in front of a large audience. It is important for the riders to remember their tests, though, as the judges will be evaluating them in this final phase of the test. They can be a little more forgiving at these higher levels, but it’s still best to know what you’re expected to do.