ultimate dressage

Why is Portugal the ultimate dressage destination?

Classical riding techniques and dressage, as made famous by Vienna’s Spanish Riding School, have existed since at least 400 BC. Ever since their revival by King Dom Duarte I in the 14th century they have formed an integral part of Portuguese culture.

Classical dressage in Portugal the 'Escola Portuguesa D’Arte Equestre' and Lusitano horses were developed in part for the cavalry and bull fighting leading to an emphasis on horses that were agile and instantly responsive. This tradition is continued today throughout Portugal often on pure bred Lusitano stallions and at beautiful, historic locations.

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Classical dressage lessons are suitable not only for dressage enthusiasts but for all competent riders. The focus is on teaching students to ride in harmony with the horse, improving their balance and aids in order to get the most from their mounts.

So why not contact one of these specialised riding centres?

You can combine a relaxing, even luxurious, holiday with the chance to learn this art on fit, supple and exquisitely trained horses.

After all your horse will thank-you for it!

dressage dvd

The Art of Classical Dressage with Arthur Kottas (8 parts):
Item #ACD

Part 1: Basics - Lungeing The HorseCorrect equipment, use of whip and lunge lines. Use of two rein lungeing to control the hindquarters. Lungeing alone or with a helper.

Part 2: Baiscs - Lungeing The Rider
Lungeing the junior rider, young rider and advanced rider. Loosening and gymnastic exercises designed to improve the rider's balance.

Part 3: From Novice/Elementary (First Level) via Medium (Second Level) to Advanced Medium (Third Level). From Snaffle to Double Bridle
Systematic training exercises, from Novice level thorugh to Grand Prix, designed to develop the horse in the shortest possible time without overfacing him.

Part 4: From Advanced Medium (Third Level) via Prix St. Geoges to Grand Prix
Exercises and movements for the advanced horse designed to encourage correct loosening and rounding the back, including work on a loose rein, over cavaletti and hacking out.

Part 5: Work In Hand
Correct equipment, use of whip and lunge lines when working alone and with a helper. Correct use of the whip to develop piaffe and passage. Work in hand with a mounted rider.

Part 6: Correct Corrections - The Most Common Faults In Horse And Rider
Basic faults with the seat and position of most riders and ways to improve this. Faulty application of hte aids - cause and improvement. Causes of the horse not accepting the bit and exercises to remedy this. Problems with rythm and impulsion - exercises to correct this. Temperament problems in the competition horse.

Part 7: Live Seminar
Training the horses and riders of all levels, immediate corrections and improvements. Edited from a 3-day dressage seminar.

Part 8: The Quality Of Basic Paces
Dissolvention, fact, drive and perviousment with relaxed, swinging dorsal muscles and lightly, regulary connection. The judgements are explained, way for success are demonstrated.

dressage saddle pads

 



High Point Saddle Pads were rated as the best U.S. made pad by a national publication. They fit like custom pads. Designed to fit the natural shape of the horse's back. High point saddle pads alleviate binding at the withers or bunching up on the back. Two breathable layers lie between the 7 oz preshrunk poly/cotton top and the underside, which is made of 100% cotton flannel. 

Dressage Training with Coralie Baldrey

Coralie Baldrey has been offering exceptional dressage training to riders of all levels for the past ten years. Many people go back each year to continue their training with her as they find that her easy style of teaching and her exceptionally well trained horses allow them to make large strides in their development upon their return home.

A graduate of the famed Cadre Noir in Saumur, France, Coralie has a talent for working collaboratively with both horse and rider to help bring out the innate talent of each. Her horses are pure bred Lusitanos and they are trained through Grand Prix level. In addition, riders of any ability can ride these highly trained horses so if your desire is to work on refining your upper level movements or to experience a movement you have not mastered yet, this program is perfect for you.

Her farm is situated on the grounds of the well appointed Pousada in Arraiolos, an ancient village with a hilltop castle overlooking the town. Arriaolos is also very well known for its hand made carpets, many of which adorn castles throughout Portugal, and fine traditional restaurants.

This hotel, recognized as one of the ten best historical hotels in Portugal, offers very comfortable rooms, excellent views of the countryside and exceptional cuisine in their award winning dining room. Originally a 14th century monastery it has been reconstructed, mixing beautifully the modern amenities with the old architecture.

Your riding each day is tailored to your personal goals. Coralie has several programs available and is able to accommodate various needs on any given week. Riders will work in either the covered arena or the Olympic sized outdoor sand arena riding pure bred Lusitanos are calm for the novice, but have the training to produce upper level movements such as flying changes, piaffe and passage for the more advanced rider. Additionally, depending on the program you choose, exciting and scenic trail rides in the countryside are also available.

Dressage horses for sale

Article by Lewis Carroll

If you’re looking for good quality of horses, then you need to pay special consideration during the buying process. They are expensive propositions and it may not be an easy talk to select the right horse. There are certain factors that need to be taken care of while looking for dressage horses for sale. Before you set off to buy a dressage horse It is very important to evaluate your expectation behind the deal.

Are you looking to rent or buy a horse? Do you have enough space to keep it? Are you able to afford the expenses of feeding and rearing one that may cost you high? Do you want to display your horse? Can you arrange a horse trainer and afford it? How long would you like to keep it? Do you have any plan to sell it off when it will become worthless?

Horse dressage is beneficial for both the horse and the rider as dressage helps the horse learn self-carriage, relaxation and suppleness. However, some of the riders and horses are not skilled enough to get higher level of dressage. If you know your need well then you can choose from a list of dressage horses for sale. It is imperative to determine the strength and weakness of your prospective mount that may be important at some point of time.

One important factor to consider is the proper training of the horse, especially if you’re a beginner. A well trained horse always gives you a smooth riding experience.

Before you ride, you are supposed to enquire about how it has been handled so far. Some horses may require stronger seat, hand or leg aid while other may cringe under excessive pressure. It is advised to gain your own riding skills to achieve a desired riding experience.

GB Sport Horses are offering high quality jumping horses and Dressage Horses For Sale, from low level to Grand Prix. Our Show Jumping Horses For Sale have the courage to jump large fences as well as the athletic ability to handle the sharp turns and bursts of speed necessary to cover the most difficult courses.

dressage training

A dressage horse can be one of the most beautiful sights in the world – proud, energetic, graceful and relaxed and submissive to his rider. Being submissive means trusting the rider 100%. But this also makes the horse very vulnerable. And that's where the real responsibility starts…

During the ages there have been many theories how dressage horses should be trained. True enough – each dressage horse is an individual and needs a slightly different approach. A horse who is happy in his work and his environment is beautiful – regardless of the breed or colour… I am not getting into the discussion about classical vs. modern dressage. To me there is only good and bad riding. Good riding is based on simple, systematic and logical aids taught to the horse with consistency and kindness. Anything forced cannot be beautiful. And it isn't. That's where bad riding begins.

We as riders always have our dreams, ambitions and goals – but it is the respect, understanding and responsibility to our horses that determine the pace. Knowledge, patience and dedication will get us there. It can be a long journey – but finding the feeling of real harmony with your horse makes it all worth it!

Remember - it is YOUR hard work that will make your dreams come true – but it will be easier with a little help. Ask more about dressage training programs available for reasonable cost!

Permitted Bits for Dressage Classes

Permitted Bits for Dressage Classes

Snaffle

Unless bits follow the configuration of those illustrated below (as per the British Dressage rule book) they are not permitted. Where there is any doubt, guidance should be sought from the Chief Executive of British Dressage, in writing with a diagram.

Since memorizing dressage tests is a non-physical aspect of dressage, try to look at it from a classroom point of view: what learning style worked the best for you in school? Each person has a different learning style: visual, aural, verbal, physical, or logical. Some of them overlap. Different styles of learning uses different part of the brain. Dressage riders also can choose different options that can help them in memorizing a dressage test according to their own style of learning.

If you are a visual learner you will prefer using colorful images. There are several ways to create a visual study guide for dressage tests. On a regular piece paper, sketch a dozen diagrams of the dressage arena with coordinating letters. Now take a green color pen for trot, red color for walk and blue color for canter. Sketch all of the test movements in order with the corresponding pen colors. Some tips for coding the movements: small circle with an X in it means “halt.” Small circle means a transition. Solid line means canter. Dashed line means trot. A dotted line means walk. Small arrows show the direction. Large arrows indicate lengthen, medium or extended gaits. Put the final paper in a plastic sleeve and put it in the folder. Keep this folder next to your bed and glance on your tests before you go to bed. You can also buy prefabricated diagrams of the tests available on the market.

The next thing for the visual learner is to create a tiny cheat sheet of the test that can be put in a breech pocket or clipped to your belt. Make small diagrams of your test movements on 1 piece of index card paper. Then cover this paper with some clear packaging tape for protection. Punch a hole in the top, and put it a keychain clip. You are ready to ride your test with a cheat sheet on your hip.

For the aural and verbal style of learning, you would prefer to work with music and sound. This is where your favorite iPod or MP3 player comes in handy. Dictate the whole test on your iPod, MP3 player, voice recorder, or CD, movement by movement so you can listen to it over and over. You can also record it with the actual timing of the ridden tests and ride the test while listening to your iPod.

If you have a physical learning style, hands-on experience will work the best for you. Create the dressage arena letters using a fat black marker and index cards. Position them in your kitchen, living room, or bed room and repeatedly “walk” your dressage test in this home-made arena.

If you have a logical learning style and love brainteasers, try to think of your tests as a puzzle: After a halt, I turn right and the judge will be sitting on my left hand side. I’ll be trotting toward the arena gate, where I came in. Then I need to find the X by doing a trot loop, I’ll end up on the other side of the arena, away from, my back to the judge, and I will be looking at the “A” side of the dressage arena, when I entered my test. After passing an “A” entrance, I’ll be looking towards the bleaches (or video camera, flags, a tree, cows, friends, etc…) and as soon as I’ll see bleachers, I’ll start preparing for my canter depart. After the canter departs, I’ll be able to see the judge and take a couple of relaxing breaths. Then the most balanced movement comes in: the 20 m circle in the middle of the arena! After that, I’ll be cantering toward the judge and getting ready for the down trot transition right next to the judge, I almost will be able to hear the judge give my score – that’s how close the down trot transition is to the judge. The judge will be whispering on my left hand side during my down trot transition. My test caller will be standing at B and I will have to start my free walk right next to my test caller…. And so on.

Similar technique can be useful for people who have difficulty remembering the dressage letters. Keeping an actual dressage arena in mind, assign a realistic visual picture to the dressage letters: left of the judge and next to the bleachers = H, right of the judge and next to the parking lot = M, left of the entrance and next to the feeding room = K, right of the entrance and next to the videographer = F. When at X during the halt/salute movement, B is to my right.

Think of how you drive and how you remember the driving routes – that technique might help you to remember the dressage tests as well.

All learning styles can benefit from the DVD USDF “On the Levels” that shows the flow of the tests, gives visuals and sound.

If your horse is obedient enough to stand next to the show arena right before your test, try to watch the rider before you who is riding the same tests as you are and in your head, go over your test pattern one more time watching the rider before you.

There are many fun tools that can help you to memorize your dressage tests: colorful diagrams, small cheat sheets, iPods, DVDs, and puzzles. The key is effort and repetition, as well as refreshing your memory right before the test. To know your test, even if you are using a caller, can help to calm your show nerves as well.

Click here to print the dressage arena diagram to draw your own dressage tests diagrams