What is the Value of Riding Dressage?

By Ann Wallin

What does Dressage even mean?

Dressage means so many things to so many different people. What is the image you think of when someone says I ride Dressage? Did you know that the word Dressage as defined by the Oxford Dictionary is “the art of riding and training a horse in a manner that develops obedience, flexibility and balance.”

Think about your own riding, do you require obedience, flexibility and balance to ride fast around barrels, to jump high jumps, to navigate steep and narrow trails, to cross bridges? All of us need to learn to develop obedience, flexibility and balance, or in other words, we all “ride Dressage” in order to successfully ride our chosen path.

And yet, somehow the image of riding Dressage has narrowed down to, for many, an image of English tack, riders dressed in white, rules which are incomprehensible and plenty, and horses who are tight and unhappy. Many of us who love our relationship with our horses, who value the bond we build training them, would like to change that image with all levels and all disciplines of riders.

There is a reason that some of the popular “new” disciplines such as Working Equitation and Ranch Horse Riding have so many elements of Dressage included in their patterns and requirements. It is because systematically developing cadence, rhythm, equal and differentiated use of all four legs, control of direction and speed are so important to having a fun, safe and successful ride.

Also, the word “art” in the definition of Dressage is an important and defining word. Although there are some specific actions that usually work with horses to get them to move their shoulders, to yield to pressure, to soften; the development of a true relationship, like all relationships in life, is about understanding the nature, character and personality of the animal you are working with.

Some horses are more sensitive than others, so if you correct them too abruptly or sharply they get offended and shut down; others are thicker skinned and need a clearer signal from you about what they are doing right and what they need to correct in order for you both to be safe.

The excitement of working with horses, for me, is this so called “art” of getting to know and understand each of their unique characters and working together with them to help them be the best version of themselves possible.

I would like to encourage anyone who wants to learn to work better with their horse to come out and participate in our Dressage Test Practice Days. These are not competitions where there is a winner and a loser. These are days where you as a horse trainer, rider and horse lover come to challenge yourself to ride a pattern in harmony with your horse. Ride a Western Dressage pattern or an Equine Canada English pattern or a Working Equitation pattern and get feedback from a knowledgeable judge about how to improve your connection to your horse. No special tack or clothing required. Come and have fun.

For more information, look for the Dressage Test Practice Days on thecopperhillsequestrian. ca website. Even if you aren’t ready to ride, come and watch.