Dressage Riding



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Dressage Riding
Dressage is a riding and training style that is recognized at an Olympic level. This is a sport with intense training and the need of a naturally gifted horse and rider. The horse is trained to display its natural grace and movement with little direction of the rider. When you watch a dressage competition that horses preform specially designed routines. Dressage horses almost look they are dancing when they preform.

There are a great numbers of rules and requirements when riding in a dressage competition. Minimal tack is applied to the horses and devices such as martingales are not permitted. The majority of riders use black leather tack, but brown is also permitted. Riders are dressed formally, traditionally with white pants and gloves and black boots and riding jacket. A vest is also worn in some upper level competitions. Hair is tied back and hats are permitted. While breeds of horses are unrestricted, the majority of dressage competitors are Warmbloods.

Competitions are scored on a 0-10 scale and evaluated in six categories. These categories are Rhythm and Regularity, Relaxation, Contact, Impulsion, Straightness, and Collection. Each category is rated individually and a total score is determined by taking all categories into account.