Potomac Valley Dressage Association

"What is Dressage?"

Dressage, literally "the schooling of an animal," is a systematic and sequential method of training a horse and rider from the very first step of basic work to the polished elegance of the finished pair. The object is to produce a mount that is a pleasure to ride, confident, willing and gymnastically able to do the tasks required of him.

The word "dressage", derived from a French term meaning training, is not only a widely used method of training horses, but also a competitive equestrian sport where horse an rider strive for perfection in the performance of complex "test" patterns (much like in figure skating). An English style of riding, dressage is one of the three equestrian sports in Olympic competition.

The Background of Classical Horsemanship

The basic tenets of classical horsemanship were first recorded in a book by Greek General Xenophon around 400 B.C. It was further developed at the royal courts of Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Spanish Riding school in Vienna, Austria, with its' beautiful white Lipizzaner stallions, is perhaps the most familiar institution dedicated exclusively to the classical art of riding. While once an activity of royalty, today dressage has evolved into a discipline and competitive sport accessible to all horses and riders.

Although dressage has its roots in classical Greek horsemanship (400 B.C.) and was influenced by the knights in shining armor of the Middle Ages, it was not until the Renaissance that dressage was recognized as an important equestrian pursuit. The great riding masters of this period developed a logical training system which has changed little over the last hundred years.

One of the earliest bastions of dressage was the military, which recognized its value as a training method for the cavalry. In fact, when dressage was made an Olympic sport in 1912, it was only open to military riders, and remained so for another 40 years. Today, the Spanish Riding School in Vienna is perhaps the most familiar institution dedicated exclusively to dressage.

Dressage is the Foundation of Any Style of Performance

Today's horses perform in many diverse activities. But no matter what type of task a horse is asked to perform, the qualities it has learned, or has not learned, in its basic training will affect whether it is enjoyable and rewarding to ride.

A horse with qualities such as obedience, balance, and sensitivity to light aids will do its job well, whether destined for the Grand Prix dressage test at the Olympics, or life as a jumper, pleasure horse, or show horse.

Riders sometimes try to produce these qualities with force or devices, but the result looks artificial and reduces the horse's athletic ability. Dressage training methods develop the horse without force or devices, utilizing what we know of the nature and structure of the horse.

Dressage is not "magic." Through learning the how, the when, and the why to apply specific training exercises, you can make dressage work for you.

Dressage Is Basic Training

A gradual, logical system of strengthening and suppling exercises, dressage may seem to belong only in the white-fenced arenas at dressage competitions. Yet, the aim for dressage is to develop the ability, suppleness and obedience of the horse--qualities desired in any horse, no matter what its eventual use will be.

How is it possible to use dressage training as the basis for any type of performance? Dressage develops the specific muscles of the horse that enable it to work off its hocks, control its head position and rate its speed quickly and obediently. In addition, dressage develops relaxation and communication between horse and rider so the horse can respond to light aids, is safe and a pleasure to ride, while retaining its spirit and natural brilliance. Through dressage, the horse of any breed becomes an athlete that can fluidly shift its balance and pace.

Dressage as a Competitive Sport

Dressage has long been a competitive equestrian sport throughout the world and especially in Europe, where Germany has dominated international competition for decades. Dressage first became an Olympic sport in 1912. At the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, the United States Dressage Team proudly brought home the Bronze medal.

Although only a very small percentage of horses have the physical conformation, strength, and temperament to succeed in international competition, riders can set their own training goals and begin competing at the lower levels. Throughout the United States, local organizations such as PVDA, sponsor dressage competitions designed to encourage riders of all levels of experience to compete against other riders as well as against themselves, testing the progress of their training against a standard of excellence

The Competitors

Dressage participants defy categorization. Riders will include teenagers and senior citizens; professionals and housewives; computer analysts and stock brokers. Some have dedicated their lives to the sport and some consider dressage an all consuming hobby. All share the love of horses and the pursuit of perfection that is dressage.

A dressage horse can be any breed, sex, age, color or size. Exceptional basic paces (walk, trot, and canter) together with a good temperament and sound conformation are what riders look for. He should have athletic paces, be light on his feet and have the scope to take short, sprinting strides as well as free, long and swinging ones.

Competition - The Measure of Progress

Guidelines for developing a horse in dressage are established by tests, compulsory series of movements designed to monitor correct progress of horse and rider, which gradually increase in difficulty through each level.

Levels for competition in the United States are Training Level (the most basic), First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Levels. The most difficult International levels are Prix St. Georges, Intermediare, and the highest, Grand Prix.

There is a dress code for competitors: White breeches, tall black boots, white shirt with stock tie, dark jacket and black cap, derby or top hat. The very elegant outfit of top hat and dark tailcoat is exclusively for tests above Fourth Level.

The Rewards

There is a great deal of discipline to dressage, but there is also great satisfaction in noting the progress you and your horse make as a team. Whether your horse will become a pleasure mount, a working horse, or a competitor in the dressage arena, it will benefit tremendously from a basic background in dressage. As a plus, learning to perform dressage exercises correctly will also improve your seat, coordination, and feel as a rider! Dressage is not aimed at turning out "30-day wonders" that pass as trained horses for a little while before going sour, but at creating a foundation which will result in a horse that is smooth, supple, and a pleasure to ride throughout a long and useful life