| Dressage is a French word that means dressing or | | | | Before engaging in a competition, you should know |
| training the horse. It was originally used by the Greeks | | | | what to do inside the ring. Staying at the perimeter, you |
| to train their horses for battle and nowadays this | | | | will usually hear a bell or a whistle before entering the |
| training is vital to horse riding to ensure your safety and | | | | ring. Upon entering, you need to salute the judge. Using |
| develop self-discipline. Although, it will possibly take | | | | the letters as your guide, you will then ride your horse |
| quite some time to develop both mental and physical | | | | according to what is described in your test. Your riding |
| discipline in controlling your reactions toward the horse, | | | | in varied gaits will be tested. |
| it is essential to obtain the ability to achieve the sense | | | | When you have completed the test, you will stop and |
| of oneness with your horse which leads to greater | | | | salute the judges before leaving the ring. Your score |
| safety and enjoyment. | | | | card with your final score will be posted at the end of |
| The main aims of this equestrian training are to | | | | the competition. |
| develop the horses flexibility, it's alertness to the rider's | | | | Prepare your horse. |
| commands and its balance. The horse must develop | | | | Proper training must be undertaken to ensure that your |
| great sensitivity to subtle communications between the | | | | horse knows its lessons perfectly. Never be in too |
| horse and rider, like gentle pressure on the reins or with | | | | much of a hurry and proceed to the next lesson |
| the knees. Eventually, the horse becomes stronger and | | | | unless you are completely satisfied and happy with |
| more enjoyable to ride. | | | | your horse's performance. Continue to practice and |
| There are, unfortunately, no short cuts in learning what | | | | devote enough time to hone the skills required to be |
| is also referred to as horse ballet. It takes hours and | | | | competitive. Allow your horse to have adequate rest. |
| years of practice to be expert in dressage and for the | | | | Groom your horse well for the event. |
| horse to complement its rider. Learning dressage is a | | | | Prepare yourself. |
| step-by-step development which requires a lot of | | | | Practice to learn the art of patience and get down to |
| patience and hard work for both the rider and the | | | | some really hard work before the competition. Dress in |
| horse. | | | | comfortable but neat clothing, having regard to the |
| If your are aim is to enter tournaments for dressage, | | | | weather. Preferably allow yourself ample time to |
| you will need to prepare for this and know just what | | | | memorise the placement of the letters. Control your |
| to expect. Here are some tips that will hopefully help | | | | movements carefully and aim for precision. Practice |
| you before joining an equestrian event such as | | | | your concentration. |
| dressage: | | | | At the end of the day, your greatest enemy is |
| Prepare for the Event | | | | yourself. Focus on the areas in which you need to |
| Usually three judges will be look at your horses | | | | improve. Don't focus only on winning but with each |
| obedience and accuracy when performing commands, | | | | score you receive, pay special attention to any weak |
| and also on your approach and your riding skills. | | | | points that you need to work on. |