A Brief History of Dressage

Dressage is a term that may not be familiar to most people since it is probably not used
on a regular basis or in everyday conversation. Derived from a French term that means
training, it is a competitive equestrian sport. It showcases the highest degree of
horsemanship through the animals natural athletic ability while maximizing its potential
as a riding horse. It also spotlights the talent, creativity and showmanship of those who
ride, coach and care for the animals involved in the sport.

Dressage: Then
The discipline of dressage has its earliest beginnings more than two thousand years ago
in Greece. It was developed as a means of training horses for military duty. The
discipline emphasized maneuverability, obedience, and advanced movements used
during battle. Battle required that horses possess crucial skills such as the ability to
quickly move from side to side, change directions, or burst into a gallop. With the demise
of ancient Greece, artistic riding faded into obscurity. It was not until the Renaissance
that it saw a revival. It experienced peak recognition when the renowned Spanish Riding
School was established in Vienna in 1729. Classical dressage, the progressive system
of training the animals, has actually changed very little in modern times.

Dressage: Now
According to the International Equestrian Federation, dressage is the highest
expression of horse training. As part of the competitive sport, both horses and riders are
rated on their command of specific maneuvers that have been committed to memory.

The sport is even enjoyed as an Olympic competitive event consisting of three areas of
equestrian mastery. Dressage demonstrates the full scope of competitive training and
horsemanship. With nine progressive levels of competing through compulsory
maneuvers, the events include horses of all breeds. Participants are free to take part in
special events such as musical freestyle, which debuted in 1996 at the Olympic games
in Atlanta. Unquestionably considered the zenith of this equestrian event, it provides an
outlet for individual expression and creativity.

Equestrians enjoy the camaraderie and competition of the sport at all levels through the
United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), which is the governing body for dressage
in this country. Since 1917, it has worked to foster excellence and growth in the sport
while ensuring safe levels of competition for both animals and athletes. The organization
is also responsible for training, selecting and funding the U.S. Equestrian team, which
competes in both the Olympics and the World Equestrian Games.

To learn more about horsemanship in Orlando, FL, visit Medieval Times.