Dressage

While doing dressage can take you onto horse riding competitive tests, your horse will also become more responsive to ride. No more leaning on your hands, no more kick, kick, kick… and opening and shutting gates from the saddle is so much easier when your horse will react calmly to your leg.

It is for exactly these reasons that dressage was originally developed by the cavalry in the 17th century – after all, having an unresponsive or undisciplined horse on the battlefield could have meant the difference between life and death. Only later did it develop into some of the more flamboyant moves still seen today at places like the Spanish Riding School of Vienna.

Dressage is a sport for any rider – it is up to you how far you want to take it. But, be warned, it can become addictive!

British Dressage (BD) is the governing body for the sport in the UK. Whether you are already a competitor or just starting out, a regular spectator, or keen to get involved in other ways, British Dressage has plenty to offer you from quality training and a packed schedule of competitions, to the latest news from our international teams.

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Team Quest from British Dressage

British Dressage (BD) has just launched a new competition for riders of all ages and abilities called ‘Team Quest’ (TQ). We’re looking for riders at Intro, Prelim and Novice to take part in a fun and relaxed dressage competition – even if you’ve never competed before. Teams of three or four riders will ride as individuals across the three test levels (any combination) and the best three scores count towards an overall team total, highest percentage wins the day. There will be three age categories for teams; 16 and under, 25 and under and mixed (riders of any age).

Click HERE to find out more and get involved!