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