I know everyone laughs at dressage but…

[SW1amp]

The dressage World Cup took place last night and the winners were a woman who is 6 months pregnant, another openly gay woman, and a woman who is in her 50s
They are the best people at this sport in the world

I think that’s pretty cool…

I’m not going to claim it’s the most inclusive sport from a cost perspective, or that it’s something accessible to most, but you wouldn’t see that sort of variety on the winners podium of F1 or any other sport I can think of

I love me some dancing horses! How awesome that it's such a diverse spread of women ❤️

That is cool.

The other day I had a brief chat with a woman who was probably in her 60s or 70s while she was out mountain biking, on a really cool ebike, by herself.

I remember thinking 'i hope that is me still riding in 20 years time'.

I have a friend’s mum who is in her late 70s and still skis every year!

It’s just so refreshing to see older women being celebrated on sporting podiums at international level

I couldn't agree more OP!

Who laughs at dressage?

I wish someone would do a Dressage AMA

Who laughs? I think it's amazing whoever does it (especially eventers who also have to do show jumping and cross country).

Lots of people laugh at dressage because the horses look so silly and undignified when prancing about.

I agree OP, it's a great achievement and refreshing to hear regardless of how anyone feels about the sport.

I love that it is a skill based sport- yes the riders must be fit but it isn't just biggest/ fastest/ strongest wins.

And lovely to have a sport where men and women can compete on an even playing field- and the women win this year!

Dancing?

Practicing for warfare methinks.

@JustWonderingIfYou

Not only did women take all the podium places (and first place was a woman who was 6 months pregnant), of the top 10, nine were women

The horses are only doing what comes naturally.

And how anyone could think they look undignified ….

I love this post. I've recently taken up riding again after a long break, career, kids etc. I've joined an 'adults pony club' at my local equestrian centre. It's fantastic, we spend an hour riding, it can be anything from dressage to polo, then a break for Prosecco and cake, and an hours stable management. It's mostly women, some in their 20s, we've a lady with a disability, and a lady in her 70s (I'm in my 50s), and everyone inbetween

@SW1amp

I have a friend’s mum who is in her late 70s and still skis every year!

It’s just so refreshing to see older women being celebrated on sporting podiums at international level

Fil is 80. Currently in France skiing with DH. Every year he goes it's the "last year..."

Back in the day I used to do a lot of low level riding club comps, trouble was my horse was a bit of a speedster, we got a few rosettes though.
I went to a charity ride once, lots of stalls and a brass band. i was warming up when they started playing and I got a passage! (slow elevated trot ) A lady asked me if he was a dressage horse, I said no he just likes dancing Great fun lol

@MaraScottie

I wish someone would do a Dressage AMA

I've done a bit if you want to ask anything

I started riding again at 39. It has been fab! Real mix in our class too!

the horses look so silly and undignified when prancing about

No they don't.

I don't laugh at dressage. I've tried it, and it's incredibly difficult.

I loved riding as a child but my mum disapproved so strongly I stopped. I started again a while ago and I can feel myself regressing into pony club type obsession…

@2DogsOnMySofa

I love this post. I've recently taken up riding again after a long break, career, kids etc. I've joined an 'adults pony club' at my local equestrian centre. It's fantastic, we spend an hour riding, it can be anything from dressage to polo, then a break for Prosecco and cake, and an hours stable management. It's mostly women, some in their 20s, we've a lady with a disability, and a lady in her 70s (I'm in my 50s), and everyone inbetween

@2DogsOnMySofa that sounds brilliant, I don't suppose you're in the South West are you?

I love watching dressage. Is there anywhere I can view this competition please?

Horseriding when six months pregnant?! Irresponsible, I don’t see much to applaud there.

@SpringIsSprung1

I love watching dressage. Is there anywhere I can view this competition please?

It was last night, but you can still watch some of it here www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_GB/

The main riders also have great Instagram accounts and have posted clips of their performances and the prize giving

My favourite dressage accounts are

instagram.com/cathrinedufour?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= (Danish rider, came second last night. Married to a show jumper)

instagram.com/lottie_fry?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= (British rider, part of the Olympic team)

instagram.com/stephtaylordressage?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= (Up and coming Brit)

instagram.com/ellielmccarthy?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= (Another up and coming Brit)

instagram.com/jessica_von_bredow_werndl?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= (German rider, won last night)

@JayAlfredPrufrock

And how anyone could think they look undignified ….

I agree - they look beautiful.