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Dressage


Dressage (a French term meaning "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 horse's natural athletic ability and willingness to perform, thereby maximizing its potential as a riding horse. At the peak of a dressage horse's gymnastic development, it can smoothly respond to a skilled rider's minimal aids by performing the requested movement while remaining relaxed and appearing effortless. Dressage is occasionally referred to as "Horse Ballet." Although the discipline has its roots in classical Greek horsemanship, mainly through the influence of Xenophon, dressage was first recognized as an important equestrian pursuit during the Renaissance in Western Europe. The great European riding masters of that period developed a sequential training system that has changed little since then and 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," or 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 ten being "excellent." A score of nine (or "very good") is considered a particularly high mark, while a competitor achieving all sixes (or 60% overall) should be considering moving on to the next level.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Leukemia Lymphoma Society

Many of you know that I actively fundraise every year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Mary Ann Grants Equestrian of the Year Competition. For those of you that don't know Ariel and I were named Equestrians of the year this past February! This has given me new momentum for next year and we need your help!! We are looking for a sponsor that will be willing to donate money that will go toward the costs of the party, so that even more of the entry donations will go directly to LLS. To begin around $15,000. So this could be one person, or 3 people with $5000 each or 5 people with $3000 each. We all know people affected by this terrible disease. The Leukemia Lymphoma Society is such a fantastic organization, helping people hands on with counseling, travel arrangements doctor and treatment help, as well as funding research.
We need all hands to help us with next years fundraising campaign and party in February. Lets show the Leukemia Lymphoma Society that Equestrians can make a difference!! So let me know if you are interested to be a volunteer, make donations or become a participant.
Thank you!!
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