Dressage

Dressage is training to enhance the natural movement of the horse. It is often described as ‘dancing’ on horseback.

Flat work is an important part of pony club. It helps develop the rider’s seat and contact and is a necessary basis to move on to jumping.

The riders start with simple gaits as walk and trot and simple patterns as circles and straight lines. As they progress the patterns and gaits get more difficult. They will learn to recognize their posting diagonals and canter leads. The riders will be asked to extend and collect their gaits in the higher levels.

Tack and turn out is very important in dressage. The riders, horses and their tack need to be clean and tidy. These requirements get more strict as you move up through the levels. Pony Club will teach you about appropriate attire, how to groom and clean your horse and how to clean and condition your tack.

The dressage tests give riders an opportunity to show a judge how well they have advanced.

The Alberta South Region holds a Regional Dressage Championship each year, with participants from many of the branches in attendance. Competitors ride two dressage tests appropriate to their level. Placings are based on the scores from both tests.

Some riders also enter a Kur competition. This is a fun competition and great for the audience to look at. It is a freestyle pattern, containing required elements, ridden to music. This gives the rider the opportunity to show personal style and artistry. These can also be done in a teams of 2 or 4 riders or even a drill team of more than 4 riders.

For more information about dressage in the Alberta South Region, contact our Regional Dressage chair