Why do you like dressage?

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Permalink Reply by Sonia on June 9, 2008 at 3:56pm

I was introduced to Dressage from birth because my aunt showed. I began riding at the age of 6 and never looked back. I am a very 'Type A' personality and therefore extremely detail oriented. So, the perfection that is required for Dressage suits me perfectly. I am always kept busy and I never found that to be the case with Jumping.

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Permalink Reply by Susanne / Happy Horse Stables on June 10, 2008 at 8:02am

Hi Sonia,
Thank you for your response. I find it very interesting to see, where people are coming from to find dressage. Most younger people believe dressage is boring and some, when they get a bit older, find then dressage. I think it is great that you learned it from the very beginning!
Take care, Susanne

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Permalink Reply by Susanne / Happy Horse Stables on June 10, 2008 at 8:04am

Hi Lindsay,
Great, your story. That is exactely, what a lot of younger people think. Dressage, what a boring thing. Until you get into it and find out it is not just as easy as stearing a horse through a jumping course....
Thank you, Lindsay.
Take care, Susanne

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Permalink Reply by Dori Nowazek on March 12, 2009 at 12:54am

Hi,
I'm actually really interested in dressage, because the better you become at dressage the better your horse and you will be at jumping. Thats why I like dressage. because my real passion is jumping.

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Permalink Reply by Lucy on March 12, 2009 at 8:39pm

I became interested in dressage when I started riding mainly because I was a more nervous rider and the thought of being in a discipline that didn't involve jumping sounded pretty good to me and growing up as a dancer I loved the thought of doing something similar on horseback. Upon getting a coach I did decided I wanted to jump but still love dressage the best and find it a great way to teach my horse the basics and prepare him for jumping. I believe that dressage is important for all disciplines- jumping, western, driving, etc.

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Permalink Reply by Horselady on March 13, 2009 at 8:27am

I like dressage as it is the solid base for all types of riding. Also when competing it is really just you and your horse being evaluated individually by the judge. Every Test that is judged is a statement as to where you are. It is easy to track your progress. Plus being an older rider who really does not want to jump anymore ( I don't bounce very well anymore!!) dressage gives me an opportunity to compete.

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Permalink Reply by Hank on March 13, 2009 at 7:13pm

I love dressage for the times when I am completely lost in what I'm doing and the horse is right there with me. It's like meditating because you have to set aside everything else in your life or else it just won't work. And there is always something to strive for and learn and there is no end to the "lightbulb" moments when you finally felt something that you had only understood intellectually until that moment. Who doesn't remember that aha moment when you first felt what a half-halt was after people had been yelling at you to do it for months?

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Permalink Reply by Shimmer E on March 15, 2009 at 12:42pm

I was a ballerina in my younger life, trained RAF (Russian style) until I had to give it up becuase my knees gave out. I loved the strict discipline of the dance and also loved horses. I thought I wanted to be a jumper until the first time I saw a horse "skip" down centreline. It was true love! I'm now an intermediare level rider and coach! I adore the discipline and precise skill involved in dressage. It's a serious addiction. I think the training and balance, rhythm, feel and discipline I learned from ballet carried over quite naturally to dressage. I love the rules, the drive to create correct movement and choriography of freestyle!

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Permalink Reply by IrishRider on March 16, 2009 at 3:25pm

I don't do dressage but watching the higher levels of dressage is just mesmerizing. I think it is so beautiful and elegant. Now that I know a little more about it, I like to see if I can notice the rider's cues.

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Permalink Reply by Catherine Chamberlain on March 17, 2009 at 10:52am

My aunt is a trainer, mainly in dressage, so when I started competing at nine that's what I focused on. I tried jumping and western, but nothing sparked my interest as much as trying to work with your horse to achieve perfect balance and harmony, even at that young age. I'm now fourteen and I've learned so much in just five years. I think jumping is fun but I love the way you have to have perfect communication with your horse when showing dressage. Not only you but also your horse has to want to do the work and you won't do well unless your both striving for the same goal. I feel like dressage helps me create a connection with my horse in the saddle and out. I also love how you can compete against yourself and compare your scores from other shows.

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