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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.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

America needs to fight for American riders!

Just a thought: I understand the desire to be famous and successful. I understand wanting your horse ridden by the best! I am 100% understanding that several of the European countries have more experienced and better trained riders than we do. But.............how did they get better and more experienced? Because people gave them a chance to ride nice horses and they had opportunity to train with good (very good) trainers. For Americans to train with the best we have to go to Europe , this takes money, many good riders cannot afford it on their own.............THIS HOLDS US BACK! So do not send good American horse flesh to our competitors! Sponsor AMERICANS! This will help us build a good solid team with depth! Just a thought!
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