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ABOUT
COMPETING
Dressage
is about having optimal control of the horse and using gymnastic training
to improve his balance and increase his beauty. Dressage is also the art
of enhancing the natural gaits – the regular walk, the precise trot,
and the lively canter. Improving his way of going is achieved by engaging
the hindquarters under the horse’s body, developing balance, strength
and suppleness. That’s why we do dressage movements.
The ultimate goal of dressage is collection – where the horse has
most of his weight on his hindquarters, with his hind legs under his body,
and his energy is directed upwards rather than forwards. This produces
a horse that appears compact, with an arched neck and head just in front
of the vertical.
Collection is not achieved by pulling the horse’s head in and vigorously
pushing him forward.
People
differentiate between classical dressage and modern, competition dressage,
but the requirements are exactly the same.
Learning
the various dressage movements can be satisfying in itself, but performing
them well in public is very different from doing them at home.
Competition is where you face the toughest of conditions under extreme
pressure for both you and your horse.
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Some reasons for competing are:
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to
gain experience
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to test your training
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to gain feedback
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to gain recognition
When
you begin, it's a good idea to regard your first three competitions
‘throw-aways’, where you and your horse learn about
what happens. Marks for these are unimportant, the experience is
important. After those three, you will compete for the feedback
and also the challenge. As you rise in the levels you would look
for recognition and feedback. |
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