Dressage Trainer

Dressage is an event in which horse and rider perform multiple tests that include a series of movements in a small riding area with letters that line the perimeter. A dressage rider strives to keep the horse supple while maintaining the horse’s impulsion to achieve a high score on a scale of 0-10. The combined movements often make the horse and rider look as though they are dancing around the area. The sport is so much more than achieving the smooth, graceful movements of each test- a lot of it is about horsemanship. Dressage riders enjoy the technicalities and details in the discipline, but even more the connection it builds between horse and rider. It takes great trust between the rider and the horse in order for the movements to look harmonious and easy. Riders strive to achieve the feeling where the horse and rider are so in sync that they think of the movement and the horse understands.

Dressage is an event for anyone at any age. However, juniors often seek out other disciplines of more risk which makes older people gravitate towards the lower risk sport.

This event incorporates a lot of transition work: walk to trot, trot to canter, canter to trot, etc. Riders should be able to sufficiently walk, trot, canter, and make these transitions with a horse as direct and smooth as possible before pursuing Dressage.

While the events appear similar, Dressage and Equitation are very different disciplines. Equitation on the flat is a hunter class where the judge tells you the tests while several riders strive to perform the tasks while looking as tall and quiet as possible. Unlike equitation, the tests in dressage are performed by a singular rider and are much more advanced and technical.

Trainers should have completed their Instructor Certification testing and have been in educational workshops by the United States Dressage Federation. Like the riders, trainers should understand the importance of the connection between horse and rider in order to set the team up for success in the area.