[Showrider]

--> Skip to the red part if you don't want to hear my life story haha

Its been a constant battle with my horse for the past year really. We have the odd few months where he starts going well, then something changes in my life and his routine needs to change and we're back to square one. I guess consistency is absent in his life. Until the last few weeks haha. Finally things have settled down, he is happily agisted somewhere, I have finally stopped moving between houses and life in general has settled. So now I have time for him, and have been riding him a fair bit.

I'm going to give up on the whole showriding deal with him. He doesn't function well in a group of horses (eg going around the ring in a class with at least 10-15 other fizzy show horses). He throws tantrums, out of excitement. He's like a little kid that can't handle it all haha. I don't have the time to be taking him out constantly just to try and educate him at this, and quite honestly I don't have the drive for it, going out to shows to compete is no longer fun, its just a hassle. He has some good days, where he usually cleans up (so much potential!) but the majority are tantrums.

Anyways, I want to try him at dressage. I like how it seems to be more based on skill than just "the prettiest pony" (showriding the majority of the time.....). I also think my horse would excel far more at it. He's got a young heart, he's a willing learner and engages with me beautifully without the distraction of other horses in the ring with him. I think he'd behave just fine in an arena with just me and him, he works magnificantly at home when he's in work.

I just need some advice.. where do I start? Pros and cons of dressage? What makes a good dressage horse/rider? Share anything and everything you can tell me about dressage haha!

Thanks guys

[Chester]

Dressage actually means training.

I suggest to boost yours and his confidence you enter the lowest level you can. This is walk trot but the judges eyes are upon you every moment you are in the ring. Your horse is judged on his willingness, obedience, and how well he performs the test. This of course comes down to how good your training and riding is.

Believe it or not, a good walk trot test can be hard to pull off.

The dress for it is simple, normally a white saddle pad, dressage or ap saddle, and a snaffle bridle with cavesson for the horse. Rider dress depends on where the test is being done and how much effort you are willing to put in. Chick never competes in anything less than the full dress standard. I understand that for a small barn competition that a polo shirt and jods may be acceptable.

Dressage is a good discipline as you receive a score sheet at the end of each test and can use that to see where you need to improve, how you have improved. Improvement means a move up through the levels.

Whilst you are competing against others for ribbons the biggest competition is against yourself to improve.

[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by Showrider

I like how it seems to be more based on skill than just "the prettiest pony" (showriding the majority of the time.....).

While I agree that a particular locale can be just about the prettiest horse, or the biggest name trainer, etc, GOOD showing is about the most well-trained horse, and that is very, very deeply rooted in the very basics of dressage.

I just need some advice.. where do I start?

With some lessons

Pros and cons of dressage?

Absolutely no cons. Done correctly, dressage work IS flatwork IS training the horse IS making a better rider.

What makes a good dressage horse/rider?

At a lower level, ANY horse can do it if he's sound for w/t/c work. ANY. It's not about flash, it's not about pretty, it's about timing and correctness of the movement. That's it. Same for the rider - the rider IS judged to a degree on the correctness of riding.

Share anything and everything you can tell me about dressage haha!

Thanks guys

There are thousands and thousands of books on dressage as training and Dressage as a discipline. It pertains to every discipline out there. Yes, even racehorses would benefit from being trained how to use their bodies more efficiently

I suggest going to one of my favorite websites, www.sustainabledressage.com and reading through it. Don't get so focused on "but that's upper level stuff, we'll never be able to do that." Yes, there is a good bit of upper level stuff there, but there are also many areas that focus on the basics of the foundation - supple horse, bending in the correct places, etc.

[analise]

What everybody else said.

Dressage, to me, is correct flatwork. It's really the foundation for everything else so it's definitely something worthwhile to spend time on and what I plan on doing a lot of with my boy (I don't think he's much of a jumper and I know I'm not).

Besides the Sustainable Dressage site posted, I like to read stuff over here in the Dressage section on the CotH forums.

I also like to view the introductary dressage tests and practice the movements with my horse (I've been cautioned to not school a whole test over and over again because then the horse comes to anticipate the changes instead of waiting for you to cue for them). You can find them here: http://www.dressagetestsonline.com/ I'd suggest looking at the USDF Introductory Tests as those are likely the ones you'd be working on first if you want to show later.

[Daimler-Ben]

Speaking from a "die-hard" dressage rider trainer... it helps any rider of most any discipline. I highly recommend it!

Best advice along with reading is to find a skilled trainer in your area to guide you along the way. A good ground person is much needed.

Two excellent books written by the masters:
The Complete Training of Horse and Rider, by Alois Podhajsky
Riding Logic, by W. Museler

This is well written and is a must read. Opens your eyes to what is correct and what is not.
Classical Versus Modern Dressage, by Dr.Gerd Heuschmann

[JBandRio]

Lots of good articles

Interesting reading

I had a really cool site bookmarked with tons of articles on various movements and concepts, and I lost all my bookmarks If I ever find it again, I'll post it.

[HopperVal]

Originally Posted by Daimler-Ben

Classical Versus Modern Dressage, by Dr.Gerd Heuschmann

Love that book

[Showrider]

Thanks heaps! I think dressage would be really good for both my horse and I.. when a task is set for my horse (eg in lessons and at shows when we are asked to do a workout) he works really well.. as I said he's got such a young, enthusiastic spirit and he really is willing to learn. I don't even care about competition anymore, I've got to that point where I'd just want to go to competitions simply to prove to myself that I could have a good day out and have my horse behave his best and ride as best as I can.

I know of a dressage stables about half hour from here with a good reputation.. problem is I wouldn't be able to transport my horse there and back for lessons Do you think lessons could still be beneficial if they were on one of the stables horses? And then if I think dressage is something I'd like to do I'd have to just go from there I suppose..

Thanks for replies so far

[AHorseOffCourse]

Just started dressage at the beginning of september. Absolutely love it! (my main sport is endurance). I cannot believe how much my horse and I have improved in 2 short months. She's incredible on the trail too. Very rewarding and I highly reccomend you work with a good trainer. Worth every penny.

[AHorseOffCourse]

Doing my first schooling show November 1!!!! (intro A and B)