Dressage achieves balance, suppleness, and obedience with the purpose of improving and facilitating the horse’s performance of normal tasks. This discipline is elegance in motion, where every movement made by horse and rider is choreographed to perfection. Speed is not important, but total control of the horse is. This requires the horse and rider to combine the strength and agility of gymnastics with the elegance and beauty of ballet. Sometimes the horses are said to be ‘dancing’ but this is not really the case.

In dressage competition, riders perform individually and they ride in a pattern which includes several changes in pace and direction. In its most basic stages, dressage helps the horse and rider communicate with each other and develop balance, strength, flexibility and accuracy. The dressage tests are a prescribed series of movements that each horse must perform. Riders use the natural movements of horses to create a dance, signaling the horse to walk, trot, or canter.

It takes years to teach a top dressage horse to compete at high levels. At the most advanced level of dressage, the horse will still require years of training to reach Grand Prix level. Strong dressage riders have learned how to effectively communicate with the horse through proper position and movement. Overall, a good dressage horse must show lightness, cadence, beautiful soft rounded collection and outstanding elasticity of all movements.

The object of dressage is the harmonious development of the physique and ability of the horse. Both horsemanship and equestrianism must be mastered before attempting a dressage competition. All work in dressage should be free, light, aesthetically beautiful to the observer, and the horse should remain on the bit. With almost invisible aids, the dressage rider brings the horse to the highest degree of collection. Dressage has an undeniable athletic component for both horse and rider.

Dressage achieves balance, suppleness, and obedience with the purpose of improving and facilitating the horse’s performance of normal tasks. This discipline is elegance in motion, where every movement made by horse and rider is choreographed to perfection. Speed is not important, but total control of the horse is. This requires the horse and rider to combine the strength and agility of gymnastics with the elegance and beauty of ballet. Sometimes the horses are said to be ‘dancing’ but this is not really the case.

In dressage competition, riders perform individually and they ride in a pattern which includes several changes in pace and direction. In its most basic stages, dressage helps the horse and rider communicate with each other and develop balance, strength, flexibility and accuracy. The dressage tests are a prescribed series of movements that each horse must perform. Riders use the natural movements of horses to create a dance, signaling the horse to walk, trot, or canter.

It takes years to teach a top dressage horse to compete at high levels. At the most advanced level of dressage, the horse will still require years of training to reach Grand Prix level. Strong dressage riders have learned how to effectively communicate with the horse through proper position and movement. Overall, a good dressage horse must show lightness, cadence, beautiful soft rounded collection and outstanding elasticity of all movements.

The object of dressage is the harmonious development of the physique and ability of the horse. Both horsemanship and equestrianism must be mastered before attempting a dressage competition. All work in dressage should be free, light, aesthetically beautiful to the observer, and the horse should remain on the bit. With almost invisible aids, the dressage rider brings the horse to the highest degree of collection. Dressage has an undeniable athletic component for both horse and rider.

If you want to learn to horseback ride here is an eight week course designed to introduce you to basic riding skills. You’ll start with learning how to lead and tie a horse safely to dismounting and caring for a horse after you ride. Of course you won’t learn to ride in eight weeks, and a competent coach is the best way to learn. But this introduction will help you understand what you’ll need to know. Sign up is free and you’ll receive a lesson in your inbox once a week for eight weeks. Click here to sign up now!

There are two basic types of riding boot - the full length riding boot and ankle boots known as jodhpur boots.

Long riding boots offer protection to the rider’s leg and ankles but can be restricting and uncomfortable to wear in hot weather. There are a great variety of long riding boots available in both rubber and leather. Long leather riding boots are expensive and so long rubber riding boots are the most popular choice for most riders.

Jodhpur boots are generally more comfortable to wear than long riding boots but offer no protection to the rider’s leg and so they are most often worn with half chaps or gaiters that cover the lower leg.

You can buy a range of riding boots from countrywide, they have great prices on Toggi and Shire riding boots.

There are two basic type of chaps - full or half length.

Full length chaps originate from the USA where they were worn by cowboys to protect the complete leg while working. They consist of two independent leg coverings attached at the waist by a belt and are worn over jodhpurs. Full length chaps are available in a variety of materials including leather, suede and waxed waterproof versions. Full chaps help to keep the legs warm and dry whilst riding which can be particularly useful during the winter.

Half chaps are worn with jodhpur boots and cover the leg from the below the knee to the ankle with a strap that goes under the boot. They are available in a variety of colours and fabrics including suede and leather. As well as offering some protection to the lower leg they also prevent jodhpurs from riding up the lower leg whilst riding.

Gaiters are closely fitting half chaps cut in the traditional riding boot style, most often made of leather.

Many equestrian sporting organisations now allow the wearing of black leather gaiters worn with black jodhpur boots as an acceptable alternative to wearing full length black riding boots during competitive events.