Dressage? Please explain.

[Fordian]

I don't get it (obviously). But surely the horse has been well trained, and just does it's thang, presumably well, with someone sitting on it.

I think it's a very reasonable assumption to make if you've no horse experience. After all, at this level the rider often doesn't look to be doing anything much.

I remember a relative being absolutely convinced, after watching Charlotte get her medal in London, that Charlotte had taught Valegro the routine, and Valegro went out there and did all the right moves in the right order, from memory.

She took some convincing that this wasn't the case.
(Though I have to say it would be handy if this were possible. I have an awful memory for a dressage test, get into the arena and my mind goes blank).

As an aside, I've been really heartened by all the interest in the dressage this year, from non-horsey people who have just enjoyed watching it.

I’m with you op! I asked my dh tonight why they don’t have a dancing dogs class too? 😂

Can't wait for the eventing but I might have to mute mumsnet if there are endless threads about how silly it is to make horses jump things

If you want to see you what happens with half trained horses and half-adept riders check out the modern pentathlon showjumping bit, if it's even still a thing. They look like they've been down to Tesco to ask for volunteers to ride, and to the local riding school and asked for their naughtiest horses for them to go round a course of jumps on.

Obviously the horses learn the order of the jumps the same as the dressage horses know the pattern of movements in dressage and just take the rider round 😂 (horse people, hush about anticipating movements, please 😉)

@PegasusReturns

Brilliant

When was the list time you saw a horse shimmying across a field sans rider?!

Haha shimmying has got me laughing

@Heyha

If you want to see you what happens with half trained horses and half-adept riders check out the modern pentathlon showjumping bit, if it's even still a thing. They look like they've been down to Tesco to ask for volunteers to ride, and to the local riding school and asked for their naughtiest horses for them to go round a course of jumps on.

Obviously the horses learn the order of the jumps the same as the dressage horses know the pattern of movements in dressage and just take the rider round 😂 (horse people, hush about anticipating movements, please 😉)

The modern pentathlon show jumping IS a welfare issue.

The horses do not know the order of the jumps though

@PegasusReturns

Brilliant

When was the list time you saw a horse shimmying across a field sans rider?!

Sorry Op, I know you're getting a bit of a kicking (for asking a question lots of people probably half think), but I'm enjoying some of the responses.

So do they all necessarily train their own horses, or can a back-up team look after that so long as the horse and rider know each other well enough for the instructions to get through?

They definitely train all their horses. The relationship part is key.

Thanks - good to know

I don't disagree with you one bit about Pentathlon @Bryonyshcmyony must admit I hadn't thought about til I read this thread and thought about what it would look like for somebody clueless to have a go, I'm off to check and see if it is still going to feature as it should have been one of the sports that went in the bin on that basis, for me. But then a lot of them are quite competent, It's just there's too many shocking ones allowed to compete even allowing for a bit of mischief from some of the horses in the pool.

I can't remember when I last saw it when it was really atrociously done, maybe Beijing?

@NavigationCentral

Uhm. So I don’t understand horses. But - are you labouring under the impression that the horse would come and pirouette, tap, zigzag and do a variety of fine movements of its own fucking accord, if you put on a mix tape for it?

I watched last night and...well...yes, this is kind of what I thought

@Heyha

I don't disagree with you one bit about Pentathlon *@Bryonyshcmyony* must admit I hadn't thought about til I read this thread and thought about what it would look like for somebody clueless to have a go, I'm off to check and see if it is still going to feature as it should have been one of the sports that went in the bin on that basis, for me. But then a lot of them are quite competent, It's just there's too many shocking ones allowed to compete even allowing for a bit of mischief from some of the horses in the pool.

I think it's a terrible sport and gives the Olympics and decent equestrian events a bad name. They should replace it with cycling It's going to be awful this year as I'm sure Japan is not filled with honest willing talented show jumping horses. Dd is getting the popcorn out for it.

Tbh someone who had never ridden before could get on one of those horses and would not even be able to get it to walk in a straight line.

How do they actually train the horses? Is it with food rewards for doing the right movement to the right command?

@Losttheequipment

How do they actually train the horses? Is it with food rewards for doing the right movement to the right command?

No not food rewards Horses are trained to respond to commands from the moment they are started under saddle. It's a continuation of thst.

@Fordian

I don't get it (obviously). But surely the horse has been well trained, and just does it's thang, presumably well, with someone sitting on it.

www.britishdressage.co.uk/our-sport/all-about-dressage/the-history-of-dressage/

The horses don't know the routines. It's just doing what it's rider asks it to do.

If the people were that good, they would be able to take wild stallions and make them do “stuff”.
I don’t mind watching but equally don’t appreciate the riders skill on a fully trained horse.

@fallfallfall

If the people were that good, they would be able to take wild stallions and make them do “stuff”. I don’t mind watching but equally don’t appreciate the riders skill on a fully trained horse.

They probably could, once the wild stallions would accept a saddle and bridle and as long as it had the breeding to be able to do the movements.

Absolutely beautiful watching them. Love it.

Also amused by the horse dancing alone in a field.

Years ago when I rode I tried a very small bit of dressage, impossible. Fell off spectacularly.

Nothing but admiration for the Olympian riders.

Charlotte Frys horse is a stallion in fact.

OP, horsey people get easily uppity, in my experience. I also don't get it. I also feel a bit sorry for the horse.

If the people were that good, they would be able to take wild stallions and make them do “stuff”.

Ummm. Why would they do that? When there are already horses that have the nature and characteristics that lend themselves to the craft? Why would competitors want to reduce their chances of winning?

Unless you’re suggesting the Olympics introduce a horse breaking category?