Dressage

Dressage top stories
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Features
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News
The Horse & Hound Podcast 104: Super-groom to Carl Hester & Charlotte Dujardin, Alan Davies | The smelly side of being a vet | News round-up
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News
Rising costs and low ticket sales force cancellation of Bolesworth dressage international
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Features
Who is KK Woodstock? Meet the horse everyone is talking about right now
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News
Carl Hester picks up catch ride after En Vogue ruled out of World Championships
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Opinion
Carl Hester: ‘Setting the gold standard for UK shows’
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Features
Scott Brash and Piggy March in Nations Cup action, plus four other events to follow this week
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News
‘The score can go even higher’: Lottie Fry leads the way for Britain with two wins at Compiègne CDIO5*
Dressage opinion from H&H columnists
Tack and clothing
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8 stylish pairs of men’s competition breeches to suit all budgets
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17 of the best competition breeches to wear in the saddle this season
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What to wear at dressage competitions
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15 smart show rugs sure to stand out from the crowd
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17 half pads to consider for your saddle setup
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A selection of dressage squares for competition and everyday training
Training tips
H&H’s dressage bloggers
Joanna Thurman-Baker |
Suzanna Hext |
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Read Joanna’s latest blog | Read Suz’s latest blog |
All about dressage
The sport of dressage involves horse and rider performing a pre-set pattern of movements appropriate to their current level of training. In freestyle competitions riders have to perform set movements, but can do so in any order and at any place in the judging arena and this is set to the rider’s choice of music.
In order to compete successfully in dressage, the horse must be expressive yet obedient and able to maintain the correct body form without any signs of stiffness. The sport has been described by the layman as ‘equine ballet’ and ‘dancing horses’.
Competition in the UK, which is overseen by governing body British Dressage, starts at intro level, where only walk and trot movements are performed, right through to grand prix, which is the level seen at the Olympic Games.
There are dressage competitions available for disabled riders, although some of the top para dressage riders also compete in able-bodied competitions. Britain has an outstanding record in international para dressage championships.