Silver Signature Dressage

This beautiful dressage bridle is from the KL Select Signature Collection. For a bigger, bolder look in contrast to the original Signature Dressage Bridle it comes with 1 1/2" crank flash noseband and a 1" matching browband, as well as the regular 5/8" cheek-pieces and contoured uni-padded crownpiece. All of the hardware is stainless steel with buckle-ends and roller-buckles on the noseband. The bridle ensures connection and control between you and your horse, allowing you to work as a team. Comfort and style are evident with this bridle. It comes it comes with ¾” dressage reins with stops.

For a bigger & bolder look, the Silver Signature comes with 5/8” wide cheek-pieces, 1 1/2” round-raised crank flash noseband, and 1” wide matching browband and padded contoured uni-crownpiece with lots of extra padding for added comfort. All hardware is stainless steel with buckle-ends with roller-buckles on the noseband. Complete with ¾” dressage reins with bars. The Signature Collection Dressage Bridles incorporate soft, padded nosebands and browbands together with a unique contoured and uni-padded crownpiece, allowing for the most in comfort and style for your horse. Its unique, one-piece headstall gives relief to any horse's poll pressure, as well as giving more comfort near the ears because of its contoured design.

A legend in the sport of dressage, Robert Dover has competed in six consecutive Olympiads for the United States’ equestrian team, the most ever for an American dressage rider. Recently, the IDCTA Dressage Association sponsored a clinic at Fields and Fences Farm in Wadsworth, Illinois, with Robert Dover, where dressage horses at every level were invited to ride for the six-time Olympian. P.R.E. Stallion, Idilio II, owned by Hampton Green Farms, and his rider Pati Pierucci were invited to fill the Grand Prix slot. Robert pleasantly surprised the auditors on the second day by riding Idilio and demonstrating all of the Grand Prix movements. (Photo courtesy of www.fireandearth.com ).

Some of our successes in dressage

Florencio (Florestan x Weltmeyer) Reesink Horses bought this black bay stallion when he was a colt. Through the years he developed into a spectacular dressage horse. Florencio was the Reserve Champion in the prestigious “Bundeschampionaat 2003”. Furthermore he became the Dutch Champion Young dressage horses in 2004 and 2005. With Hans Peter Minderhoud he also became the World Champion young Dressage horses (2004 / 2005) in Verden. He received the highest score ever given for a dressage horse. At the age of 6 Reesink Horses sold this wonderful stallion.
Robin Hood (Jazz x Zep) In May 2004 American Grand Prix dressage rider and Olympian, Susan Blinks acquired top dressage horse, the 2003 Pavo Cup Winner Robin Hood from Reesink Horses. The 6-year old chestnut gelding by Jazz out of Lionne (by Zep) was owned by Reesink Horses since he was two years of age.
Patser (Jazz x Ariban xx) Madeleine Vrees is competing this KWPN bred Patser (by Jazz x Ariban) at international small tour level. In 2001 and 2002 he became Dutch champion young dressage horses. In 2003 he was the Dutch champion at third level and in 2004 at fourth level. Patser is owned by a syndicate which also includes Reesink Horses.
San Schufro (Sandro Hit x Don Schufro) The darkbay San Schufro was sold in 2005 by Reesink Horses. San Schufro is now a licensed stallion and approved for Westphalia, Rhineland and Oldenburg. Reesink Horses is glad San Schufro is at stud at Gestüt Sprehe where he is certain of a good education.
Naomie (Colino x Boreas) This grey KWPN mare by Colino was sold to Dutch rider Jurgen Stenfert. This combination is now jumping internationally at the highest possible levels.
On Top (Jet Set x Pericles) In 2005 the FEI horse On Top was sold to the Collins family, Reesink Horses and Tim Coomans. The KWPN gelding On Top is by Jet Set x Pericles. In 2004 he became the 2004 Dutch Prix St Georges champions with Judith Scholte. Now On Top is performing really well at Grand Prix Level with Leida Collins-Strijk. Reesink Horses has sold her share to Tim Coomans.
Vilena / Onassis (Obelisk x Nimmerdor) Vilena became Dutch Champion of all Colts in 2002. As a three year old he was sold to Denmark where they changed his name into Onassis. He successfully won the 70 day performance test in Vilhelmsborg, Denmark
Florett As (Florestan I x Urofino) In 2000 the black stallion Florett As who is also known as Florett.com became third at the prestigious Bundeschampionat. At the moment Floret As is performing successfully at Intermediare I dressage level with Dutch rider Leida Collins-Strijk. At the Sunshine Tour in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain in february they became second at Intermediaire level I with more than 70%
Uivertje Ruta (Jazz x Boy B) Uivertje Ruta was the best mare at the 2005 Dutch Championships for Young dressage horses. This wonderful chestnut mare has been sold to the USA.
Alicante (Acord II x Landadel) Alicante is approved in Westphalia as a breeding stallion. He did his performance test in 2004 in Munster Hahndorf Germany. At the performance test he received a 9 as his score for overall jumping skills. He is now covering at Stald Birkelund in Denmark. Alicante was placed as the no. 2 in the Danish DSA finals for 5 year old jumping horses.
Ravel (Contango x Democraat) Ravel is the AES approved stallion that was ridden by Grand Prix dressage rider Edward Gal. He showed Ravel on Small tour level and prepared him for Grand Prix level. Reesink Horses sold Ravel to the sponsor of American Grand Prix rider Steffen Peters. He currently prepares Ravel for the 2008 Olympic games in Bejing
Florenciano (Florencio x Havidoff) Florenciano was one of the highlights during the 16. NRW-körung 2006 in Münster-Handorf. He showed off with his stunning looks, supple movements and a fantastic canter. Florenciano grew up at Reesink horses and was sold during the auction for approved and non approved stallions of the NRW  to Equus Invest AG and is available at Gestüt Ligges in Germany.

Top Dressage Horses

Dressage Horses

DressageHorses

Before one can determine the right dressage horses, a fundamental understanding of dressage must first be established. Dressage is loosely translated as training but many also now regard it as a form of horse sport. In any case, dressage involves the horse’s execution of precise and specific movements in response to commands and signs from the rider. The main purpose behind this discipline is to develop the athletic capacity of dressage horses and make them more agreeable to do as they are told especially in the performance arena.

The history of dressage horses dates back hundreds of centuries ago to as far back as ancient Greece. There is some evidence that the ancestors of modern dressage horses were really military horses. These horses needed to be trained to become more obedient and manageable. When war horses were no longer in vogue, dressage eventually transformed into a popular sport.

Picking a Horse

Dressage is a discipline where all horses are given fair chances. A horse owner therefore may opt to have his horse compete regardless of breed or type. In most cases though, warm-blooded horses are preferred for the discipline because their traits are most ideal for dressage.

During the middle ages, war horses were originally large and unwieldy. Eventually though, as the techniques and modes of war changed, there arose a need for war horses that were lighter and leaner. These horses became the direct descendants of modern warmblood dressage horses.

Warmblood horses are sought after for dressage because they are naturally athletic. Their lightness, fine form and beauty also enhance their impressive appearance and performance in the ring. There are many different warmblood breeds. Among the most popular in dressage competitions are:

• Lipizzaner- At approximately 15 hands, these horses have a natural grace and lightness that make them best suited for the difficult dressage techniques known as airs above the ground. They are also natural show horses with high knee action. They excel in dressage so much that the Spanish Riding School of Viena exclusively use Lipizzaner dressage horses.

• Andalusian- This breed is an old Spanish breed. Andalusian horses are characterized by lean bodies, strong necks and long shoulders that make them proud but perfect specimens of beauty in the dressage arena.

• Hanoverian- Hanoverian dressage horses are generally calm and willing but can sometimes also be moody. Nonetheless, at 16.2 hands, they are perfect for dressage because they have lean and muscular structures. They also excel in elastic and showy gaits.

• Oldenburg- This breed is a cautious but manageable one. Like other dressage horses it has a compact and lean body. It tends to have shorter legs though in proportion to its structure even though it towers over other warmbloods at 17.2 hands.

These are only some of the most popular dressage horse breeds. Other notable dressage horses include Trakehner, Westphalian, Holsteiner, Dutch Warmblood, Friesian and Swedish Warmblood.

Dressage double bridles

This may come as a surprise, but when I judge a model horse performance class I'm pretty lenient in regards to the tack. Obviously, I'd prefer to see beautiful, in scale tack with every strap and buckle in the right place. However, I'm much more concerned with how well the horse is performing. If everything else is good, I can overlook a too big browband or a sloppy saddlepad. Those things happen in real life, and while unattractive, neither is likely to factor into the judging unless two entries are very, very close. I refer to things like that as nonfunctional tack issues.

There is another category of tack errors, however, that I simply cannot tolerate. These are functional tack errors--that is, errors that would adversely affect the equipment's ability to function in a safe and correct manner. One of the most common of these is a misplaced curb chain on a double bridle. I've seen so many otherwise good dressage and saddleseat entries that are completely undone by that one pesky detail!With that in mind, I went out of my way to take lots of pictures of upper level dressage bridles while I was at the Paragon II Dressage Show in Estes Park, Colorado a couple weekends ago. As you can see, the curb chain attaches to the top part of the curb bit and passes in front of the snaffle bit. I guarantee that if you run it behind the snaffle, any competent judge will be forced to place your entry at the bottom of the class. That's not safe and it's not done.

Also be sure that the snaffle section of the double bit is supported by a bridoon hanger. That's the fancy name for the strap that attaches to the snaffle bit, passes over the poll, and attaches to the other side of the snaffle. This is not an optional item. Without thebridoon hanger, the bit is completely unsupported and would not stay in the horse's mouth. As with all functional tack errors, this will be a deal breaker for me if I'm judging.

Here are a few random observations about the bridles in these pictures--most of the upper level horses showed with loosethroatlatches. I'm sure this is to accommodate the tucked head position, but it was quite noticeable in many cases.

This chestnut horse is wearing a bridle with a separate throatlatchpiece. Most English type bridles feature a split crown so this is somewhat unusual. Unlike most of the horses, he also has a plain, undecorated browband.

All the bridles are black, which is to be expected at a dressage show. Most feature silver hardware, but some like the bridle below have gold toned buckles.

Here's a gold toned curb bit with silver buckles.

There is a lot more variety in dressage bridles than hunter/jumper bridles. This on has a buckle on top of the crownpiece.

On last picture of Trisha's horse, Surprise. He has a short head with a boxy muzzle and always reminds me of a Sue Sifton sculpture!

Hope this was helpful, and please check your double bridles before you put them down on the show table!

used dressage saddles

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