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.

There’s a saying that the equestrian events are the only Olympic sports where the equipment makes its own decisions, which is very apt.🤣

Elite equestrians spend hours and hours not only riding and training horses but also on personal fitness. Their dedication to the sport is no less than any other Olympic athlete .
They spend years training and building a relationship with their horses and you can see how much they love them in the way they praise them after the test and talk about them. It absolutely is a partnership.
The horses are athletes , they are schooled, ridden out for fitness, have dedicated physio teams, water treadmills , nutritionists, you name it.
Plus we win lots of medals so what’s not to like 👍

Just saw this on FB

One day, my horse will work harder than me in a dressage test! It's incredibly hard work and bloody good for the core (& an hours worth of riding on the flat in an arena, burns about 500 cals). Every movement performed by the horse is in response to a cue given by the rider. That might be with leg, or through the reins, or a slight shift in weight. The horses are trained, not in specific tests (routines) but to respond to the riders cues and to 'accept direction' from the rider. It takes years to train a horse to Grand Prix level and immense skill from the rider. It is a testament to the rider's skill that they look like they are doing very little!!

Dressage actually developed from cavalry movements used in battle and equestrian events have been part of the modern Olympics since they started.

It's my belief that any animal can dance to the right music. I've recently convinced my husband, after watching some of the dressage, to go out in the early morning and play some Fat Boy Slim to the local cows. I can confirm, they've been dancing their udders off...!