Eurodressage F.O.C.U.S.

Fédération Equestre International:  "What is Dressage"?

The object of Dressage is the development of the physique of the horse and the harmony between rider and horse. High quality is revealed by freedom and regularity of the paces, lightness and ease of the movements. The horse gives the impression of doing the movements on his own accord because of the small and  invisible aids of the rider.

In all competitions, the horse has to show three paces: walk, trot and canter, as well as transitions between the paces and transitions within the paces (collection - extension - collection).

There are tests of different degree of difficulty. In lower-level tests, there are movements as Halt, Rein-back Volte, Walk-pirouettes and lateral movements. In medium levels there are also flying changes  in canter. At Grand Prix level, the most difficult level, which is ridden at the Olympic Games, there are
 movements like Piaffe, where the horse gives the impression of trotting on the spot and Passage which is a trot with suspension and elevation.

At Olympic Games and championships, there are two obligatory tests, i.e. the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special followed by a third test, the Freestyle Test. In the Free Style to Music, the rider can choose the music, the choreography and the sequence of movements that have to be shown. In the Free Style test, the technical skill and the artistic performance are evaluated. On the artistic part, one of the most important think is that the horse can do all the movements in the rhythm to the music. 

Excerpt from the FEI Official Homepage. Visit the site for more information on equestrian sports in the world.

Picture copyrighted by Dirk Caremans

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