Dressage

My knees are shot too Merlot but I did manage a hack last summer with DD1 and DGD1. A special occassion, and it went better than I could have hoped - until I got off. I slid to the ground and just kept going, ending up sitting next to my horse feeling a right twit. I swear that horse laughed.

Oh heavens,it had completely gone out of my pea brain about Kauto, Tegan, of course I remember it now, and posting about it.

I was very disappointed in the lack of coverage of the dressage on tv, particularly as we won team and individual gold in 2012. I did manage to catch about 3 competitors last night - I believe the BBC managed to switch to covering Carl Hester's performance after he had started grrr.

I have just started trying to learn a dressage test after 20 odd years out of the saddle - mad or what? The old joints are not doing too bad at the moment but bloody hell it's hard on the old hips. Poor horse is trying to work out what I'm asking her to do and thinking 'stupid old woman'. Go for it phoenix, with your history you'll soon get back into it (finances permitting of course).

Look on the bright side, nightowl, It's great for the pelvic floor muscles

I fail to see dressage as an Olympic sport, show jumping and x country Ok.

I am very squeamish about our relationship with animals. I find it puzzling the extent to which we control them and make them do what we want, however bizarre and unnatural that might be. In the same way that young athletes devote huge chunks of their lives to training, often to the long term detriment of their bodies, the same applies to animals - the difference is that in the main, humans have a choice about it and animals do not. We impose our "normality" on them whether they like it or not. I know that I am out of synch with many in thinking like this, but it an instinctive reaction as far as I am concerned.

Animals in the wild - fine - let us admire them and leave them alone.

Dressage is the oldest form of equestrianism; we went to a display at Bolsover Castle last year. Some top racehorse trainers used to train their horses in dressage; Best Mate being one of them. I'm looking forward to seeing Charlotte in the individual event on Monday [if I can find what time and channel it's on]; I go quite dewy eyed seeing horse and rider in such perfect harmony. The thing about horses is that they serve no actual purpose in our lives now so, if they weren't used for dressage/racing/showing etc they wouldn't really exist. And, unlike other sports involving horses I don't have the worry that they may be injured doing it. I do think that a lot of things have been spooking the horses at these Games though; cameras, helicopters etc.

Luckygirl, I am totally with you on this one. Dressage is a bit like baroque architecture- can admire it for the hard work- but just don't get it- so un-natural and controlling. Same with falconry.

According to Eddie Izzard, What's the point of dressage unless you're trying to back your horse into a wardrobe?

I enjoy watching all equestrian sport.

The Horse

Where in this wide world can man find nobility without pride,
friendship without envy, or beauty without vanity?
Here where grace is laced with muscle and strength by gentleness confined.
_

He serves without servility; he has fought without enmity.
There is nothing so powerful, nothing less violent;
there is nothing so quick, nothing more patient.
_

England’s past has been borne on his back.
All our history is in his industry.
We are his heirs;
He is our inheritance.

Ronald Duncan

I am not a horse lover and find dressage a bizarre sort of event but I have a pal who loves horses and spends time caring for unwanted/abandoned horses. She used to do dressage so I am sure it does not harm the horse or she would not have done it!!

Dressage horses are trained slowly and carefully until they learn a range of movements and grandually build their balance, muscles and other body parts and a partnership with their riders. Dressage horses respond to infitessimal minute movements of their riders legs, hands and body.

Unlike some in the horse world who think speed is the most important combination of horse and rider or the amateurs of the show jumping circuits who subscribe to the 'point and fire' philosophy and to whom the riding crop is everything.

I do hope the rollkur technique aand any signs of are banned in the Olympics, at least.

It is already banned by the world governing body, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI). The FEI recognises a distinction between rollkur and the riding of the horse in a deep outline not achieved by force.

nightowl, brilliant to read you are working on a dressage test after 20 years out of the saddle. I wish I could ride again but have to accept that this isn't something I'll be able to do.
I've been thinking about the worries people (non riders I think) here have expressed about the impact of dressage on horses. It's reminding me of pilates or probably ballet. Yes, it's tough but if a horse has the temperament and physical ability to do the work, they will love it.
I'm just back from a specialised dog training group with my (difficult) young dog. He loved the challenge and is snoring on his bed right now. He not only enjoyed the work, you could see the pride he felt in his achievements. I know, its a dog, not a horse - but working with an animal you love is just so rewarding.

I love the British team approach, Carl Hester has a wonderful approach to training horses and riders, and his horses have the most wonderful life. They are turned out daily, allowed to 'be horses' and are hacked out regularly. Charlotte Dujardin describes how Valegro is hacked out by ex-dressage rider Tricia Gardiner (now 80+) and how he goes up the drive eating all the leaves he can grab on the way.

Thanks for reminding me it's good for the pelvic floor merlot, I'll hang on to that thought when I'm struggling to walk

I so agree about working with an animal you love Iam. I had forgotten how much I love horses, and feel privileged to once again be forming a bond with a horse. That smell, the soft whinny that greets you when they want breakfast, watching them grazing in the evening sunshine; it's magical and makes the years just melt away. I will never be as flexible or as confident as I was as a young rider, but I'm a firm believer in the saying 'if a thing's worth doing, it's worth doing badly'. I'll keep going until I physically can't do it any more and even then, I will want a horse in my life until the end.

"Basic" dressage doesn't involve any complicated moves, just precision with regard to being able to stop at certain points, turn at others, go from walk to trot etc etc.

GandTea you say that you can't see dressage as an Olympic sport, how do you feel about poncing about in water with a nose clip on and putting your feet in the air synchronised swimming?

I'm so impressed phoenix I was absolute rubbish. I could just about manage to walk back in a straight line and occasionally change legs when I meant to. I certainly think dressage is at least as worth watching as synchronised drowning. And what about golf??? A lot of rich men in funny trousers.

Loved reading all the posts about horses, and some of you have experience in dressage, which I have not. I feel somewhat comforted, and appreciate the finesse, control etc that's demonstrated. I used to ride whenever I could, always on borrowed ponies as we couldn't afford one, and probably on too loose a rein and too long stirrups - but I loved it so much.

Oh those borrowed ponies gave us such joy. I always knew the only way I would get my own horse would be to marry a farmer so I did.

But I'll never forget Sparky, Tommy, Flicka, Miffy and Princess.

Good ploy Merlot I wish I'd thought of that!

When I was ten, I used to bike around the countryside with my best friend visiting horses. One day, we were sitting on a fence keeping company with a fat skewbald (Lassie by name) when the farmer shouted over "Go on, sit on her" and I plucked up my courage and did. My first ride was wandering around an orchard saddle-less and bridle-less. I was hooked!

This is such a happy thread, all those memories of gransnetters as pony/horse mad girls. I got a paper round at age 12 and used my wages to have a half hour ride at the local stables. I made friends with ponies and was always on hand to help out, which meant I often had a loan pony when their owners went on holiday.
All our long summer holidays were spent mending fencing, teaching ourselves to ride, falling off when we were jumping ditches or logs. One of my friends had a rescue donkey, he was like a big dog, just followed us everywhere we went.
Of course dressage is an Olympic sport!

I had one riding lesson as a child - the pony turned round and bit me!!!

My friends think I'm mad keeping a horse but he is the best retirement plan ever! Being with younger ones at the yard makes me feel much younger than 65 and apart from always needing a mounting block ( no springing up now) my body is holding up well. I'm sure the physical work and fresh air is good for me but it's the love of such a beautiful beast that brings so much happiness.....oh and the exhilaration of a good gallop.

Have I missed the show jumping? There was some on today but I only caught the tail end of it.