Clagett HorseSports

Dressage is a French word which simply means "the training of the horse".  It evolved as a method of training horses for war centuries ago when mounted warfare was common.  A well-trained warhorse was a lethal weapon that a soldier's survival depended upon.  In the days of armoured knights, many towns banned warhorses from entering over fears of what could happen if one got loose.  The "airs above the ground" movements in particular were used to give a mounted soldier greater advantage and protection in close-quarter fighting.  Responsiveness, power, agility and endurance were all necessary battlefield requirements and, over time, trainers created a gradual, "classical" system of training that drew upon and developed the horse's natural abilities to achieve maximum performance.  Today, we use the same principles, with the benefit of current scientific research, to develop each horse's natural abilities into whichever discipline he or she is best suited for.  Dressage, at its lower levels, is basic training for all horses which addresses the irregularities none are without and provides them a solid foundation.  At its higher levels, Dressage may appear specialized, but its classical form is still the basics-- just built and refined to a higher degree!  Even the "fanciest" movements are not separate "tricks" the horse has been taught; rather, they succeed or fail upon the correctness of the horse's foundation.

 

The higher-level movements performed at shows are what most people associate with Dressage; however, Dressage, i.e., training, integrates as needed flatwork, gymnastic jumping and cross-country work to develop correctly functioning biomechanics and to encourage the horse to grow and participate mentally as a partner-- all with a long-term vision for the horse's good health and longevity.

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Dressage competitors perform tests to display their developmental progress.  The arena is a set size, sometimes 20 by 40 meters at lower levels, but generally 20 by 60 meters, and is marked by letters at standardized points at which they are required to perform specific movements according to the tests created for each level and issued by the show association governing the show.  During each test, the judge rates and provides written commentary on each movement performed and the overall performance of the horse and rider, and each competitor receives a copy of their test sheet afterward so they can review and learn from the judge's opinions.  The showing levels go from Introductory to Grand Prix, with the difficulty level and duration of the tests increasing the higher you go in accordance with the gradual system of training over many years that Dressage is based upon.  That said, like many sports, the majority of competitors show at the lower levels.  There are also musical, freestyle tests created and set to music by the individual competitor, and pairs and team challenge classes.  Competitions are held at local, regional, National, International and Olympic levels; however, many people enjoy Dressage for the learning, therapeutic and relationship building experience with their horse and do not show.

 

Contrary to popular belief, all of the movements displayed at shows are tools used to therapeutically develop a horse properly and not goals in and of themselves.  You ride a circle in a specific direction and size schooling at home because it can improve your horse's suppleness and balance (and for other reasons) in the right circumstances, but not to school perfect circles.  The better functioning you and your horse are, the closer to perfectly round your circle will be.  Circles are just one of many exercises-- one tool-- that work toward better balance and increased suppleness.  It could be that you need to forget about circles for a while and throw in some specific lateral or hill work to address the issues that are keeping your circles from being perfectly balanced and supple, i.e., round.  This integrated and cognizant way of working with your horse is what makes Dressage foundational training for horses and riders in all sports.  If I am playing polo and the direction of play suddenly changes, if I want to keep up with the play and possibly take over the ball myself, both of us need to be able to stay balanced as we turn to the new direction.  The better balanced we are, the more speed he can maintain through the turn, which means I can get to the ball faster.  The poorer my horse's balance (and mine), the slower I have to turn, making me more likely to miss the ball, and the stopping and starting effect will tire my horse faster.  But it is not enough to know movements and exercises; you have to know which, why, when, how and how much in each circumstance with each horse and rider combination and, as is the way of most things, there are other factors involved like time and pre-existing health issues.  As complicated as it may (or may not) sound, there is nothing about (correct) Dressage that is not based in fact and even its minute details are logical and understandable. For more information on Dressage services, please click the Dressage Services button below or use the sub-tabs under the Services tab on the top menu bar.