Could you be a Dressage Diva? The foundation of good riding ~ Brigitte Billings
For many riders, dressage is something of an enigma. The adrenaline junkies would rather watch paint dry, while many newcomers are deterred by the thought of not fitting in with the ‘snooty set’, and the happy hackers may think it’s simply too much hard work.
Ironically, every rider does dressage – or should be. Good flatwork forms the foundation of a healthy riding relationship. It develops your horse both physically and mentally to do the things you want him to do, whether in the arena or in the country. In fact, the word ‘dressage’ simply means ‘training’, which is something every horse and rider needs to build their communication skills. Balance, suppleness, flexibility and understanding of the aids create a horse who is a pleasure to ride, and ultimately riding should be a pleasure.
Let’s go ‘pro’
Once you’ve embraced training as a necessary part of your riding routine, it might occur to you to test your skills on the competition circuit. This is where many equestrians hit a stumbling block – showcasing your abilities in front of a judge and an audience might seem like too much scrutiny to bare. Add to this the misconception that dressage riders are an unfriendly bunch and it’s easy to see why the discipline can be daunting.
The reality is that the Ankys, Edwards and Charlottes are few and far between. In South Africa, most dressage riders are ordinary horse lovers. Many are novices, while a lot are more mature equestrians who no longer enjoy the thrill of eventing or Showjumping. Some are producing younger horses for other disciplines and use dressage as a good basis for their future careers. In fact, the discipline has attracted a multitude of riders who have confidence and training issues that require some work, so it’s actually a wonderful environment to enter into if you’re looking for people who will respect and encourage you through a rocky patch.
Getting started
With this in mind, many show holding venues run regular training shows and low-level events such as Ride and Go classes to provide a stress-free environment for newcomers to get a taste of the sport, or for more advanced riders to test the next level without the pressure of a graded show.
Dressage SA has also launched a Riding School League to allow even the most inexperienced riders to get in on the fun. With competitors from 4 to 40 and beyond, the League is open to anyone who rides at an affiliated riding school – whether you own a horse or compete on a school pony. And nobody will laugh (aside from your spouse) if you choose to compete on a lead rein!
Some of the winners from the Riding School League
