Dressage Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Dressage is the training of horses in obedience and deportment. It originated in the military and artistic equestrian academies of Europe. Competitive dressage is designed to show the horse carrying out, on request, the natural movements that it performs without thinking while running loose. Dressage competition levels start with the basic training of a young horse and advance in small steps to the highest level, called "Grand Prix." At each level, the horse and rider must perform a test of gaits and figures. A judge grades each specific movement as well as overall impressions of the rider's and horse's performance. At its highest level, horse and rider achieve total harmony and the rider's commands are barely perceptible. Competitive dressage became an Olympic sport in 1912.Apart from competition, dressage is also a part of the Portuguese and Spanish bullfighting exhibitions and is shown in its absolute development as demonstrated by the art of Classical Dressage by the Spanish Riding School in Vienna and the French School in Saumur. Purists pursue the tradition of noncompetitive "classical" dressage for its own joy and beauty.
Breeds commonly used for straight dressage are normally in the warmblood category, however, all breeds can compete successfully. These breeds have the movement and strength necessary for the sport. Iberian horses excel in the collected movements required in dressage in the upper level movements to a far greater degree than warmbloods which are bred more for their extended movements.
Dressage in which every step or movement is set to music is known as The kur.