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At the lowest levels, dressage tests are very simple, with the
emphasis on basic training. At its basic level, if you make your
horse move forward, or stop, you have performed dressage movements.
The ancient Greeks were the first to practice dressage in preparation
for war. Developed by the Greeks for cavalry officers, dressage
evolved as a means of controlling the horse in battle. Dressage
was well rooted in the military world of horsemanship, as the value
of this training method was recognized by the cavalry. Later, dressage
was used on the medieval battlefields of Europe and as a form of
art and entertainment in the courts of Renaissance nobility. The
marriage of the two most powerful families in Europe during the
Baroque period secured the future of dressage. Prior to the French
Revolution, dressage was expressed in ways that emphasized extreme
collection and agility.
Dressage competitions evolved as early as 1806 to test the ability
of cavalry officers.
Cavalry officers in the modern military also practiced dressage
as recently as the 1940's. Consequently, because the Andalusian
had always been a cavalry horse, he had always been a dressage horse.
Types of Dressage Horses
Although any breed is acceptable for dressage, thoroughbreds or
warmbloods (any of the larger or European-descended horses) are
preferable. While warmbloods have dominated the Dressage scene for
several decades, riders are increasingly seeking a more rideable
horse. Athletically and in temperament, the Morgan horse is also
well suited to the rigors of Dressage. The Iberian's success in
dressage was pretty much preordained by the history of the development
of the breed. As a breed they have athleticism, superb dispositions,
great heart and soundness - all attributes needed in dressage. However,
Dressage is an egalitarian sport in which all breeds are given an
opportunity to compete successfully.
Competition Dressage
Like figure skating's compulsory figures, dressage tests require
movements and gaits to be performed in certain sequences. The object
of dressage is the harmonious development of the physique and ability
of the horse. Competitive dressage is designed to show the horse
carrying out, on request, the natural movements that it performs
without thinking while running loose. All the movements performed
in dressage are natural to the horse. Both horsemanship and the
basics of riding should be mastered before attempting a dressage
competition. At the more advanced levels, horses and riders have
usually begun to specialize in dressage competition as a separate
discipline.
The standard arena is 20 m by 60 m, and is used for upper-level
tests in both dressage and eventing. The small arena is 20 m by
40 m, and is used for the lower levels of dressage and three-day
eventing dressage. The invisible letter X is always in the center
of the dressage arena. The dressage tests are a prescribed series
of movements that each horse must perform. Dressage patterns are
performed one rider at a time. Judged subjectively, dressage relies
on a body of dedicated judges positioned at designated points around
the dressage arena. As in any dressage show, each rider receives
an individual score. Each rider is given a copy of their test along
with the judge's comments.
A goal of dressage is to restore this naturalness under a rider,
and to create an alert, supple and responsive animal.
About the Author
Rob Daniels has been an equestrian rider for 25 years. He has
studied various disciplines additional articles are available at:
Riding Stable - http://www.riding-stable.com
and Horse Stall http://www.horse-stall.net
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