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Dressage

Dressage is the training of horses in obedience and deportment. It originated in the military and artistic equestrian academies of Europe. This specialized training is designed to improve and showcase the posture and movement of the horse, much as gymnasics improves and showcases the movement of a human being. Dressage movements are based upon those a horse performs while running free and/or interacting with herdmates. These movements range from the simple (a correct, balanced walk) to the spectacular (crouching on the hind legs, high leaps and kicks). At its highest level, horse and rider achieve total harmony and the rider's commands are barely perceptible.

Competitive dressage became an Olympic sport in 1912. Competitive Dressage competition levels start with the basic training of a young horse and advance in small steps to the highest level. Dressage competitions judge the horse and rider as they perform a "test" consisting of many individual movements, each graded on a scale 0-10 based on the quality of the movement. .10 is perfection, and is rarely achieved, even by those at the top of the sport; 0 is a movement not executed at all. Certain movements are given double emphasis, and in addition to the test movements, scores are given for the rider's skill and the horse's attitude.

Dressage in which every step or movement is set to music is known as The kur . The highest level of dressage competition in the Olympic Games is a kur known as the "Grand Prix Special".

Apart from competition, there is a tradition of Classical Dressage, in which purists pursue the tradition of dressage as an art form, for its own joy and beauty. Dressage is also a part of the Portuguese and Spanish bullfighting exhibitions. The traditions of the Old Masters who originated Dressage are kept alive by the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria and the Cadre Noir in Saumur, France.

Breeds commonly used for competitive dressage are normally in the warmblood category, as these breeds have the vigorous, extended movement and strength necessary for the sport. However, Dressage is an egalitarian sport in which all breeds are given an opportunity to compete successfully. Iberian horses such as the Andalusian, Lusitano and Lippizanner are most popular among practitioners of Classical Dressage. These breeds excel in the collected movements of Classical Dressage.


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