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.

@garlictwist

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

They really don't. Happy to explain but come on, the OPs question was particularly daft and didn't warrant sensible replies.

There have been loads of threads explaining it. If you don't like it then go and watch something else.

Yes. Dressage horses are produced in a factory in Germany and are genetically programmed to dance at a few days old when they hear Beethoven.

The same phenomenon can be seen in sheepdogs who know exactly which sheep need to go where without any human training, certain birds of prey, police sniffer dogs and sea lions.

Equestrians are SICK OF THIS QUESTION 😂

@TooManyAnimals94

Yes. Dressage horses are produced in a factory in Germany and are genetically programmed to dance at a few days old when they hear Beethoven.

The same phenomenon can be seen in sheepdogs who know exactly which sheep need to go where without any human training, certain birds of prey, police sniffer dogs and sea lions.

Equestrians are SICK OF THIS QUESTION 😂

👌

I agree not sure what emoji that is!!

@IonaLeg

This is why every Olympic sport would benefit from having a normal person with no experience take part, as a point of reference

Love this idea!

Well no, because a non rider would confuse and upset the horse and possibly end up getting hurt.

@OrlandointheWilderness

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.

I've ridden my whole life, am a qualified instructor, worked with top competition horses etc etc and I couldn't get them to do very much. The finesse required is something else.

@Bryonyshcmyony

Well no, because a non rider would confuse and upset the horse and possibly end up getting hurt.

See modern pentathlon for reference. Some of those "riders" make me cringe.

This is great OP - really enjoying this. These responses are excellent!

God its awful isn't it

I really hope they replace it with cycling. Or ditch it altogether

It's going to be a shocker this year as I can't imagine they've flown many honest showjumpers in

Remember Beijing?!

@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.

These horses were once 'wild' though. They're not born knowing any of this. They learn through years of education by the rider. The riders skill and years of correct training gets them to this point.

That was to @TooManyAnimals94

@Bryonyshcmyony like a horror movie...wanted to look away but couldn't. Nothing worse than watching a horse lose its confidence being buried in the bottom of every fence.

NavigationCentral - 🤣🤣🤣👍

[quote TooManyAnimals94]@Bryonyshcmyony like a horror movie...wanted to look away but couldn't. Nothing worse than watching a horse lose its confidence being buried in the bottom of every fence.[/quote]
Dd has a ghoulish fascination with it but I can't watch. At least the GB riders aren't too bad. I love it when the horses have had enough and just refuse again and again

Only a tiny proportion of dressage riders and a tiny proportion of horses will EVER make it to Grand Prix level, the level at the Olympics. Both horse and rider have to be physically and mentally gifted in order to do these tests. The skills and nuances take years to hone, hence Charlotte’s horse at age 10, is considered a newcomer to this level.

I can’t recall the exact number but I think we have fewer than 100 horse/rider combinations in the UK that are GP standard.

I am amazed it is still gking
Dd1 did pony club tetrsthkon which is a feeder for modern pentathlon but wouldn't touch it with a bargepole

@Rapidash thanks for the link !
And it mention En Vogue too 😁

It’s great that OP is asking questions and Dressage is being talked about, and people are learning !

@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?

OMG this is brilliant. 🤣🤣

@ahoyshipmates

One thing that a lot of people don't realise is that the horse doesn't know the routine. Only the rider knows the exact sequence of moves that have to be completed, which is different at each competition. The horse is not trained in the routine, because otherwise they tend to anticipate what they are going to be asked to do next, and often go into it too early. They have to be seen to be obeying the rider's commands The first time the horse performs the entire routine from beginning to end is usually during the competition. The skill lies in teaching the moves, training the horse to know and understand the commands, and in building up their stamina, strength and muscles in all the right places. It takes years and immense skill, and a horse with the right temperament and physique.

It is ridiculously difficult.

I did not know this! Thank you! Yes they make it look easy and like the horse is doing the work. I guess this shows how talented they are!

@TooManyAnimals94

Yes. Dressage horses are produced in a factory in Germany and are genetically programmed to dance at a few days old when they hear Beethoven.

The same phenomenon can be seen in sheepdogs who know exactly which sheep need to go where without any human training, certain birds of prey, police sniffer dogs and sea lions.

Equestrians are SICK OF THIS QUESTION 😂

I don't think it's that stupid....obviously you're average Lab isn't doing the polka at the park but there are dancing dogs as entertainment.

My point was any animal that "performs" has had a level of training. Yes you are exploiting their natural movement or instincts but it takes skill as a trainer and rider.

@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.

My 10 year old asked a very similar question tonight. But you know, she's 10.

Not quite dressage, but on a similar theme, is absolutely amazing for seeing what it is possible to get a horse to do. (Clip of Jean Francois Pignon with his horses)