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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.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Congratulations Roxanne

The Florida season is going by so quickly. The farm is full and horses are fantastic. Roxanne (owned by Casey and Scott Satriano) has had ywo successful outings this winter at White Fences and Wellington Classic Dressage. Moving up to 3 rd level and winning 3 out of 4 of her classes with scores 68% - 69% . She is such a pleasure to show. I am grateful to Scott and Casey and Andrea! for making it all possable.
Mr Schumacher's clinics in February were fantastic. The results are still tangible. I am so excited to be putting together a clinic in Ashby in May! This is going to be alot of work, I am feeling it already, but I think it will be inspiring for all of region 8.
We are happy to have Donna Armata and Gille back in the barn. This year they joined us late in the season. Welcome back! It is such a pleasure to work with Donna and Gille has improved since last year far more then I could have expected!
We say good by today to Honolulu and congratulations to Jessie Rizzi who has purchased her for a brood mare. Good luck Jessie !
Tomorrow we say good bye to Bandit. Congratulations to Cynthia Makishima who is the new lucky owner of this wonderful 6 year old dutch gelding.
So much fun to have so many nice shows with such good footing and organization such a short distance from our farm! Next week we have a schooling show at Jim Brandon, then the following week White Fences and then Equestrian Estates. Busy, but good!! Good luck everyone!
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