Have you ever wanted to try dressage but felt completely overwhelmed by the thought of a traditional show? Or maybe you think you don’t have a typical ‘dressage’ horse and worry you’d get aughed out of the arena?
The truth is, dressage is for everyone and every horse no matter their breed.
In French, the word ‘dressage’ simply means ‘training.’ At its core, that’s exactly what it is: a systematic way to train your horse. Think of it like building a house you can’t have a good roof without a strong foundation.
If you’re thinking about starting dressage, you’ll likely begin at the Preparatory or Preliminary levels. As well as the rider performing accurate shapes and movements, the judges are looking for the horse to demonstrate correct basics – which are based on the German Scale of Traning:
Rhythm:
Can your horse move forward in a clear rhythm with a steady tempo?
Suppleness:
Can your horse show elasticity and relaxation, bending through their ribcage and over their topline?
Contact:
If you’ve achieved the first two steps correctly, your horse will naturally accept a steady, elastic connection with the bit.
Impulsion:
This is about building forward thrust from the hindquarters, which improves the next point…
Straightness:
This is when the horse is truly aligned, carrying weight evenly and in balance.
Collection:
The horse increases weight carrying on its hind legs and works in self-carriage. This takes time to build and therefore is not required until Elementary level.
We truly believe that any sound and healthy horse can achieve these foundations, regardless of their breeding. While some breeds are purpose-bred for dressage, horses with a good temperament and strong work ethic can often be successful. This is where Western bred horses can truly shine. They were originally developed to work all day under the toughest conditions, and that grit, athleticism, and willingness to please can be an incredible asset in the dressage arena. What they may lack in flashy movement, they more than make up for with their incredible work ethic.
Ready to give dressage a try without the pressure of a traditional show?
OnCentreLine Dressage offers a supportive and welcoming community where you can submit your tests online from your own arena and receive expert feedback. It’s the perfect, low-stress way to put your training to the test and start your dressage journey. For those with Quarter or stock horses, we are excited to announce a new ‘Western Breeds’ section in our next competition, kindly sponsored by Australian Performance Horse Magazine.
Find out more at: www.oncentrelinedressage.com