Why Dressage?

Hullabaloo

Hullabaloo

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I was having a conversation with friends recently about dressage and they were trying to persuade me it was fun.
I just don't get it - I have to do it if I'm doing a ODE but its just something I have to get out of the way before I can do the fun stuff. For me I ride either to relax (hacking) or for excitement (fast hacks and jumping) and I find flat work hard work, although I do see the importance of it. I have got to the point where I do enjoy schooling my horse at home, but I wouldn't go to the trouble of taking him out to compete at dressage.
I'd like to understand what it is about dressage that people enjoy as I do sometimes feel I'm missing out.
Can anyone explain it to me please?
 
TBH if you do not like it then no-one else can/should persuade you other wise. People may enjoy dressage and not jumping, whereas you are the other way around, people enjoy different things so you do not have to enjoy every aspect of riding.
Why not pop off to a local show and do a few dressage tests, but don't do any jumping classes. You may find it more enjoyable if you know you don't have somthing (in you opinion better) to follow afterwards, if you get me?
 
Dressage can be very rewarding when you put a lot of effort in to it and then get it right. The feeling you get when your horse is working correctly and responding to very light aids is pretty amazing. It can't be compared to the adrenaline rush of jumping, but in a different way I think it can be just as rewarding.
 
My horse would agree with you - she says 'I've done one 20m circle, what's the point in doing another - it doesn't get us anywhere?'
S
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Few things for me...

Ive always had a strong interest in the preservation of riding horses. From a physiological point of view, horses that are classically trained, for example, will generally enjoy longer working lives. Horses should be worked with their backs round and engaged for the sake of themselves.

The first time i sat on a grand prix dressage horse (in this case he had been classically trained), probably affirmed my love of dressage for life. I'd always show jumped... sure i schooled my horses but only to, what i considered, the necessary point for them to be able to get round courses in a balanced fashion. This horse was so collected... so light... so powerful and everything id read or heard about but never actually felt. Could drop his contact loose and he'd stay as collected as with a rein contact there. Sure, i couldnt ride one side of him... i asked for trot and got piaffe... tried to sit still and ended up flying sideways but i was completly and totally hooked. Getting back on my own horses was a huge reality check and wake up call.

For me, dressage has an extremely captivating elegance about it. Watching those really gifted riders in the saddle, seemingly not moving as their horses dance is beautiful. I can appreciate the fun and excitement of jumping... hell i did it myself for long enough but i get no where near the buzz or satisfaction out of it that i do from dressage. Dressage, for me, and at its purest and most classical, feels more like an artform.. and its one thats dying out
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i agree that at the lower levels its pretty boring. But when you are working on a top horse with so much power just being able to control and gain movements such as piaffe/passage is an amazing feeling. Even on my horse (who is training at medium level and competing novice/elementary) i find his power and talent amazing and i just love riding him and teaching him new things.
 
I think it was my first medium trot that really set off my love of dressage, it just felt beautiful. I enjoyed schooling before that but it gave me a real sense of how powerful my horse actually is. Can't really describe it but when a horse goes correctly it's a beautiful feeling to ride.
 
Thanks Tierra - that's really well put and has made me think. My horse has a weak back so I really do take the point about working correctly and I know its important we get our flatwork right.
I don't think I'd ever get that feeling of satisfaction out of it that you guys do - for me I love the adrenalin I get from jumping. But I will think about what you've said when I start schooling my horse again in a few weeks.
But sorry LLwyncwn - no way!!!
 
On a practical note the dressage phase is really where eventing is won or lost these days and a well schooled horse is always more fun to hack. I love walk to canter and lateral movements with clover (I'm a show off at heart)
 
One thing id always, always recommend for anyone who doesnt "get" dressage but would like to try... spend the money and have a lesson on a GP dressage horse. Theres a few places dotted around the UK where you can... all the better (imo) if you can find a classically trained, high school horse
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It might just be the eye opening experience you need to change your whole view on the discipline
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