Don't cry for the horses that life has set free. A million white horses forever to be. Don't cry for the horses now in God's hands. As they prance and they dance in a heavenly band. They're ours as a gift, but never to keep. As they close their eyes forever to sleep. Their spirits unbound. On silver wings they fly. A million white horses against the blue sky. Look up into heaven, you'll see them above. The horses we lost, the horses we loved. Manes and tails flowing they gallop through time. They never were yours. They never were mine. Don't cry for the horses. They'll be back someday. When our time has come, they will show us the way."  Brenda Riley Seymore 

One doesn't truly feel empowered until they sit on the back of a nine-hundred pound animal who carries your life on its back and is able to handle and use that power with grace and beauty. I think Dressage is a fine example of that. Dressage shows the execution of beautiful demonstrations of a delicate partnership in a quiet, gentle manner. At least that's my inexperienced opinion. Dressage is an art,a sport, and a method of training both horse and rider. In French(a language I wished to learn and tried miserably to self-teach) Dressage means "training". The fine roots of Dressage are found in Greece with the writings of Xenophon, (nicknamed Xenny by me), whose enlightened insights on horsemanship still influence the riding styles we know today(my beloved Western included). In the beginning Dressage reflected the training of horses for military purposes. In 1532,Italian Federico Grisone established the first equestrian academy, but Dressage as a competitive discipline dated only from the end of the 19th century.  In 1912 it was introduced as An Olympic event at the Stockholm games. 

Horses and riders of nearly any background could benefit quite a bit from learning exercises and movement that constitute Dressage. Horses will become well-conditioned and be able to fulfill their athletic potential. Riders could experience a horse that is a thrill to ride and benefit from their developed skill through this tedious sport. Over the course of what could take years, riders become a highly skilled team, riding in harmony with what seems to be effortless coordination.

Dressage students begin with the execution of relatively simple exercises. Both horse and rider learn to ride in figure eights(hey! I did that too) and lateral movements(Cody and I have almost perfected this) and learn to transition from one gait to another(a new hiccup as Cody doesn't seem to want to canter when I ask). As these are mastered,the exercises will become more difficult(Indeed,and I don't do Dressage). 

For many students and horses,competitions begin with Dressage shows usually sponsored by local riding schools. Riders then progress to area and regional competitions recognized by American Horse Shows Association(AHSA) or other equestrian organizations. These competitions follow national rules and are conducted in arenas of specific sizes. Each horse-and-rider team performs solo in the arena, completing exercises pre-scribed for their skill level. Judges observe and score each performance.

Horse and riders begin performing in Dressage at the Introductory or Training level, progressing to First level;Second level;Third level, and Fourth level; only then do they graduate to intermediate levels. The highest level of accomplishment is the Grand Prix, which is the standard applied at the Olympics and at world championships.

 I think the level of difficulty for English as opposed to Western depends on the rider. Dressage and Jumping require good balance and having a good seat in what I feel is a harder saddle. Whereas Western as I've read and heard people say 'requires sitting relaxed in a comfy saddle chasing cows'.

I did three months of English and am doing six months of Western. Sandy taught me English. I had to work harder at staying straight. She explained that everything needs to be lined up so in a sideview you could hold a straight pole up and be alined(she did and I was very straight and alined). She also didn't want to see movement. I was to remain quiet in the saddle and my aids were to be unnoticeable. Somehow I conquered those and the horrid rising trot(which I couldn't do now unless someone helped and showed me again). I had to hold the reins a certain way and ask for gait and lead changes in a quiet manner. Sandy was convinced if the right person took me on, I could be amazing at Dressage and definitely excel in Jumping as my balance and seat,(her opinion) when perfected,were nearly flawless. I explained to her I wanted to do Western, not Dressage. I didn't like how much structure Dressage seemed to require. The saddle for English is smaller and less secure as the wise Western saddle. You have to learn to post the trot a bouncy gait where the horse is constantly changing diagonals. Dressage horses move faster and the rider has to learn to balance their seat, legs, reins and aids. Western the saddle is heavier and wider. It's easier to sit and stay balanced in a Western saddle than it is in an English saddle. Western horses have a slower jog and a 'lazy' lope that's easier to handle. Western horses are also smaller. 

I don't like big, fast horses. I don't like the insecurity of the English saddle or the speed most Dressage horses average. I'm not patient enough for all the detail that goes into each action you must perform. Western has always been labeled more relaxed and it is. Western horses tend to be smaller and slower, which I like and feel comfortable with. Sandy didn't feel I was suited for Western as when I finally relaxed I was very good at English(the little I did). I like to occasionally watch Dressage competitions on tv or internet and I love watching Jumping competitions and seeing them clear those jumps. Cross Country has always been my favorite. But I prefer Western to do. The horses are small, slow, easy going and it's just generally relaxing. I do however think that everyone should start with English lessons before Western. If you can conquer the light aids and balance required for the discipline then you shouldn't have an issue with Western. Not to mention Dressage/English is the foundation for Western and anyother disciplines just like the Arabian is the foundation for most, if not all, horse breeds. 

I do have one-liners and jokes about Dressage and Dressage riders, but in all seriousness Dressage is beautiful and if conquered a testament to your skill as a rider. 

(up top, left, Debbie McDonald, right, Charlotte Dujardin) 

Have a happy ride~