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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, August 19, 2013

Words of Wisdom from Lendon

 Just home from Centerline Events at Hits. What an absolutely perfect weekend weather, horses and good friends, who could ask for more?
   Glorious had his first big boy horse show and he was just so good it makes me cry. He looked around at this new world on Thursday with big eyes, but he said if you think it is safe then I am with you. Friday I had one of the most fun tests of my life. He was such a blast attacking every movement with determination and confidence, I felt like I did not even need to be there, he was so good!
    Dhoppler did two very very correct and relaxed tests and he has grown up so much since our last time out at Hits. No mistakes, no taking over, just very attentive and trying his best. So much fun!
        So here I am in my office and I came across a little project I had wanted to do a while back, and of course did not have time for.
         Here it is:
                  Who has time to read the show program? Not many people, so I just wanted to post part of Lendon's letter from Dressage 4 Kids show program. I think it is great advice we all need to hear now and then. Thank you Lendon.
                  " Let each one of us do everything we can to make this a great few days for everyone. Take a moment now and think about what needs to happen for you to have fun, and then you take responsibility to make it happen for those around you. This might involve helping a fellow competitor or a volunteer with their work, thanking as many people as you can, cheering up someone having a tough day, helping your child learn how to lose graciously, seeing a problem and coming forth to try to solve it. I hope everyone will say as they drive out the gate on Sunday, "Wow, that was a fun three days."
                   Remember riders, you have already proven that you are a winner just by qualifying to compete. For those who take home medals, my heartiest congratulations. For those who maybe don't have their best days of competition, hey, that happens to all of us. I hope you have fun anyway. I had some really disastrous competitions in my day but still made two Olympic teams. The one dressage test sheet I have kept from all my years competing is the one where I got 38%! There are lots of ways to win; Overcome a difficulty, be a super sport, have your horse stand still in the halt for the first time, do your first test ever in the pouring rain, keep smiling even though you just had the worst test of your life.
              My hope is that each of you goes home with a new friend, a new technique for riding, and wonderful memories."
                 Happy Riding :)
                               Nancy
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