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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.

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Riders and Trainers step up to the Runway to raise money for Region 8 Jr/YR Dressage

So many fantastic memories of the first weekend of May 2014.
    Our clinic with Mr Schumacher was a great success. The downside, I did not get to ride :( .... the upside we welcomed new faces to our growing fan club. The clinic was so full and the lessons were one light bulb moment after another. Mondays trainers workshop was one of the best dressage learning experiences I have ever had the privilege of witnessing. Mr Schumacher was so thorough, happy to field questions and provide answers to help us with our daily challenges. I wish that I had this encyclopedia of knowledge available when I was a young trainer. I am grateful to have access to his wealth of information now!
          Our fashion show came together and was truly amazing. Looking at the photos now I get goose bumps. Awesome job girls! and guys!
          If you can dream it you can do it! Thank you so much to all of the great people that made it happen.
My husband, Matt , without him we would not get very far in these adventures :)
Linda Powers without her strength and energy this evening would not have been the same ! (or happening)
Karin Swanfeldt for her hostess experience and long time support!
All of the girls and their families for your time and energy. Especially Ivana Gross and Kristina O'Connell.
Our supportive trainers Bill Warren, Bill McMullin, Pam Maloof, Trish Helmer, Gayle Paquin, Shan Lawton, Larry Poulin, Kristin Schwaegerle and Jane Hannigan.
Mike Lavoie for his help with lighting.
Melanie and Marlene of Chateau Cheveux for taking care of the hair!
Devin Whitney Brine for help with makeup
Paul Eason for providing his announcing expertise and music
Noreen Duffy for providing us with pictures so we will not forget our special night!
Jeanne and Charlie Parlee the owners of The Ashby Stock Farm
Dover Saddlery and Kara Judge for stepping up to the plate last minute after our original tack shop backed out
Black Horse Creations
The Stone Pony
Custom Saddlery
DSB Boots
Eleni Fashion
NATI Boutique
 
And of course we could not have done it with out our sponsors:
Elite Equine Imports, Teresa Davidson, Ruth Poulson, Bear Spot farm and Mark Shonberg





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