Horse Dressage
Insider Info
If you love horses, there is no better way to build a relationship with
one than dressage.
Dressage (rhymes with massage) is a method of training as well as a competitive
sport. It takes the natural movements a horse can make and structures them
into exercises.
Its practitioners sometimes describe the activity as a religious experience.
In any case, it is mentally and physically challenging for horse and rider
alike.
"It was the elegance, artistry, and intelligence of the sport that attracted
me," says Nancy McAlinden.
Dressage is a classical art of riding that first surfaced in Greece around
400 BC. It was later developed by European royalty. Most people probably know
of the dancing white Lipizzan stallions from Vienna -- that's dressage.
Today, dressage is accessible to a variety of horses and riders. (The U.S.
Dressage Federation boasts 36,000 members.) It is also one of the three Olympic
equestrian disciplines.
In competition, which occurs in rectangular arenas at all levels, horses
perform tests which have been designed by the National Dressage Committee.
These gauge a horse's progress and range from basic levels, in which
all riders can participate, to the more advanced, in which only dedicated
athletes can compete.
You can work with any horse on dressage, but only a few will have the right
combination of physical and psychological characteristics to excel at the
highest levels of competition.
"Equestrian endeavors ought not to be entered into without proper training
and education. It is not an easy field in which to be successful, but it can
be rewarding for the right person," says Robert O. Mayer of Pennsylvania,
who owns a riding academy.
"What keeps me doing dressage is that I feel it creates a strong bond between
myself and my horse. I think dressage is the foundation of all good riding,"
says Samantha Hartford.
"You know how some football players do ballet because it makes them stronger
and more flexible? Dressage does the same for horses. It also makes them very
willing and obedient partners."
Dressage uses a series of gymnastic movements, figures, and transitions
to train a young horse or re-train an older one. It is the "flat work," or
non-jumping, part of riding a horse.
"My interest began mainly because I have an older horse who could no longer
jump, and my coach believed strongly in the fact that dressage is the basis
for all riding," explains Laura Harding. "I quickly saw what he meant, and
I have loved it ever since."
You don't need a lot of equipment for dressage, especially if you're
not planning to compete. A simple bridle, with reins attached to the ring
of the bit, and a western saddle will do. In competition, you'll need
an English saddle specially made for dressage.
You'll also need more formal attire, such as a hunt cap or top hat,
a shirt with choker or tie, leather boots and gloves. International competition
is even more rigid, including a dark coat with tails.
Dressage seems to be a female-dominated sport. "That's the way it
is at shows and clinics -- unless you look at western stuff, and then there
are more men and boys involved," says Rick Lyles of Michigan.
"Interestingly, at the upper levels in dressage, jumpers, and eventing,
the proportion of men is greater. Dressage is really an acquired taste --
it's very thoughtful."
He feels that more boys should try it, but that they probably won't
find it exciting. "I find it fascinating that equestrian sports are among
the very few where men and women do compete on a very equal basis."
Even if you've never tried dressage, Sybille Crafts of the NEDA (New
England Dressage Association) says not to worry.
"It is never too early and it is never too late. Dressage can be started
at any age. When it comes to young people, then there needs to be an interest
in this discipline. Riding itself, as any other sport, is best started at
a young age. Learning is easier, your mind and your body are responding quicker
and safer."
A word of caution, however. "Evaluate your patience factor. This is not
a sport for people with quick tempers, short attention spans, a hurry-up attitude,
or for people who need instant rewards," warns McAlinden.
"Dressage riders must be able to take great pleasure in small improvements
gained over a long period of time."
She adds, "Spend as much time on the lunge developing your seat and position
as possible. Dressage begins and ends with a deep, correct, following seat,
independent aids, and a classically correct position.
There are no shortcuts to achieving this. Be prepared to spend your lifetime
constantly working on a better seat, a better position, better hands."
Alison Hughes Martin, who enjoys the connection dressage makes with her
horse, says the sport is a continual learning process. There are frustrations
as well as satisfactions.
"I have had them all, from spooking horses to falling off to winning major
competitions. The more you learn, the more you realize how much you don't
know and want to learn."
Others mention the trials of competition. "Frustrating would have to be
when you've ridden a really good test, but the judge thinks differently,"
says McAlinden.
"When training for dressage, it is hard to do the same things over and
over again -- even if they are beneficial -- because you can get tired of
the repetition. But when it finally clicks, then you've learned something
for life, and you feel amazing."
If you are serious about dressage, your social life may suffer. "The worst
part of this sport is training for several hours a day and not having the
normal social life of an 18 year old," says Belinda Locke.
"It can get very hard being so one-track, and putting your horse or sport
before friends usually results in a lack of the aforementioned! It is difficult
to build relationships when you are so focused on something else."
Lesley Patton recommends, "Be patient, take your time, and don't try
to force a horse to do the movements. It's better to have a happy, free-moving
and light horse that likes his work, than to see someone cramming a horse
up into the bridle and forcing him to do the movements with a heavy seat and
hand.
"Also, try to work and take lessons from someone that follows that methodology
-- and try to learn the movements yourself first before you attempt to teach
it to a horse."
The decision to try dressage should not be taken lightly. "Any sport that
involves horses is not cheap!" says Hartford, who used to teach. "Lessons
are expensive, and the kinds of horses needed to reach the top of dressage
are very expensive. Kids will need to have very supportive parents."
"If you want to start out riding and you want to eventually ride dressage,
you do not need your own horse in the very beginning," says Crafts.
"Depending on your interest and skill, you will very quickly find out that
there are many means and ways to get in touch of horses. Sometimes one can
lease or half-lease a horse, sometimes one can share a horse."
If you like to work around horses, dressage offers several opportunities
for employment. Just starting out, you might help around a local barn, cleaning
stalls and feeding the horses.
As your interest and experience progresses, you might teach lessons. Certification
as a dressage instructor is an option. Running your own horse farm is another
possibility.
Getting Started
To get started in dressage, Crafts says, "Contact a GMO [group member organization],
like NEDA. You can become a member and find out through membership more about
dressage, what it entails and where to ride, where there are clinics, lectures,
shows, opportunities to volunteer and be with like-minded people."
"Don't get too serious too young unless that is what wholly consumes
your every thought. Have fun, because that's what horses are all about,
but believe in your dreams and make them happen," says Locke.
"It takes a lot of hard work to reach the top, so set your eyes on a particular
place and go for it, whether it be Pony Club or the Olympics! I'm certainly
doing so!"
In terms of inspiration, Harding says, "Don't give up. It may seem
really hard at first, but in the end it cannot help but improve your overall
riding ability."
Associations
United States Dressage Federation
P.O. Box 6669
Lincoln
,
NE
68506-0669
USA
Internet
:
http://www.usdf.org
Publications
Book Stable
Internet
:
http://www.bookstable.com
Equestrian Times
Internet
:
http://www.horsenews.com
Horse News Online
Internet
:
http://www.horsenews-online.com
Links
Classical Dressage
Library, photo archives, and a calendar of events
Cyberhorse
Information on everything from racing to breeding to events
Halt@X
Animated guide to dressage movements and arena dimensions
HayNet
Comprehensive collection of links to horse-related needs
Back to Career Cluster