Including British Dressage competition rules, a few dressage secrets, a look at some top class dressage horses and tips for training your dressage horse
Training the dressage horse requires dedication more than fancy tack or riding equipment. A decent 20×40 metre riding arena is probably the only truly essential thing you need besides yourself and your horse. Dressage associations will provide booklets about what they do and provide a few tips on starting dressage and training the dressage horse
The standard dressage arena is marked using large printed letters placed at pre-designated intervals around the perimeter. This helps the dressage rider or the dressage instructor, to follow the correct path during tests
The dressage saddle has a straighter flap that allows the horse to move more freely and shows more of the horses shoulder. It also helps the dressage rider adopt the correct dressage position
Basic dressage training to help your horse achieve smoother lighter progress in walk to trot and trot to canter. Using your weight and or the half-halt to develop lighter smoother transistions
Is a top class Dressage Horse a Classical Dressage Horse or are they something else altogether? The answer to that question lies in the study of today’s top dressage horses, their breeding and the way they were trained. Maybe all horses can be top class dressage horses given the right training, or maybe it all starts with the sire and the dam
Weltmeyer has fantastic basic gaits and it is something very special to ride such an eye catching horse. So says Hans-Peter Klaus, the rider who spent more time with Weltmeyer than any other rider
British Dressage Tests are subject to change without notice – please ensure you confirm details of Prelim 4, with the event organiser before entering a dressage competion. The basic Prelim 4 Dressage Test (2002) is listed here as an aide memoir only
Use our winning dressage test tips to ensure you do well in your dressage competition and give yourself the best chance of success. To win you must be positive and believe you can. This means being focused before during and after your dressage test
Dressage tests can be nerve racking and every little bit helps where competition nerves are concerned. A simple check list of dressage competition tips that you can work through before each competition is a must have
Although you are not marked for your dressage attire, it is still important to project the right image when competing. This is partly because dressage is an elegant sport and competitors attire should reflect this
A Quick DIY Dressage Arena Layout Guide … How to layout a 40m dressage arena in the middle of a field quickly and accurately using two cheap 50m surveyors tapes and four tent pegs
Classical riders develop wonderfully light responsive horses because they ride from their centre. The classical dressage horse is ridden from the seat first, then the legs and into the hands
Classical dressage riding is the art of riding with the horse and rider in perfect harmony. The rider working with rather than against the movements of the horse.
Renowned dressage commentator Brian O’connor named dressage rider Courtney King the Tiger Woods of dressage, in recognition of her extraordinary number of wins. Courtney King is based at Sunnyfield Farm in Bedford, New York
Dressage Rider Steffen Peters won bronze in the 1996 Olympics & silver at Aachen 2003. He took lead position in the 2008 US Olympic Dressage team. Success riding Udon, Floriano & Ravel ensured Steffen became one of the top dressage riders.
