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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, September 6, 2014

Labor Day

  Once again the Adult Camp held at The Ashby Stock Farm was one of the highlights of my summer. This years theme, Body Language, proved to be an interesting one for everyone that took part.
   One of the things I love about having a theme is that no matter the age, level, experience or athletic ability it is always easy to watch the positive aspects of the theme benefit all participants. This year was no different and paying attention to and keeping positive body language transformed these horse and rider combinations.
     Friday everyone, yes everyone, (that is a first, usually we have some Saturday arrivals) arrived and settled in on time for our lecture and great dinner made by Gail Price and Kerri Arruda. The lecture gave us a chance to go over our Body Language Work Book. I created the workbook with a place for notes and key points that I feel are important about body language; what to look for in your horse, how to change it and how to come to the lesson prepared for riding. I incorporated some ideas of what body language means to me and how to work on these points, both on and off  ones horse. 
      Saturday morning started early and with a lot of enthusiasm. Our star of the day was Zoe. She has been to camp before, as a matter of fact this was her third camp. Zoe started with us a year ago with her dedicated owner Karen. Zoe had been started badly and really did not want to play. Karen has done an amazing job. She has not only participated in camp, but she came back several times over the summer for reinforcement. Watching Zoe walk , trot and canter around the arena was wonderful. Seeing her happy about participating with Karen is amazing. It was rewarding to see Karen and Zoe communicating so well, I think it was also an inspiration to all of the other campers to see her improvement. The bar was raised high from the first lesson and no one disappointed us. Taking time to talk about the movement of the horse in all of the gaits, the timing and application of the aids and then discussing the horses positive and sometimes not so positive reactions gave the ladies the power to make good decisions in their riding.
       At lunch we had a brief talk about goals and I reminded everyone to use their goal workbooks from the April camp. We talked about how easy it is to think we are not improving. Writing things in the goal workbooks helps to keep things in perspective. Sometimes one forgets that only two months ago it was difficult to pick up the left lead and now it flows easily. Take time pat yourselves on the back when goals, big or small, have been accomplished. Let riding be a fun journey about partnership and confidence.
        Saturday night we ate together in the lounge, a wonderful homemade dinner made by Linda Powers. Everyone enjoyed the time to talk about their lessons, their horses and our sport. I took a couple of more minutes to answer questions from the day. I love this time because by the evening all of the ladies have had time to reflect on their lessons and start to think about what they want to make better tomorrow. It is great that we have that time to answer the questions while the riding is still fresh in everyone's mind. Also, it is nice having the group together and listening to the compliments and positive admiration spread around the room.
       Sunday all of the riders were even more comfortable than Saturday and everyone was on a mission. The horses were happy to be ridden by such riders with good timing and technique, the riders were able to move about the arena with ease. I enjoyed all of the lessons and was especially impressed by the awareness the riders were gaining of their mounts. Everyone went home with homework but also with new skills. In addition I think that every participant in camp gained a new level of understanding about what their horses are doing underneath them. Each time we do a camp I am amazed at the progress everyone makes. It is awesome that everyone watches all of the lessons. This makes a huge difference in the understanding of their own lesson. The lectures also make it easier on the horses so a lot of the goals have already been discussed and the horses do not have to put up with  that part. I could also say thank you to this great group of ladies that come to camp, they bring an enthusiasm and desire to learn that makes it so easy to create progress. I am already looking forward to Spring camp and I am going to start working on a new theme and an extra special Work Book for everyone.
           
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