#WeLoveHorses

What is Dressage?

Dressage is an equestrian discipline in which rider and horse perform a series of movements in a pattern to display the horse's athleticism, strength, and flexibility. Viewers describe dressage as horse ballet as the horse appears to be “dancing” across the arena floor. Dressage is a beautiful sport that dates back to nearly 350BC where ancient greek soldiers rode their horses to battle using dressage movements we still use today.

Learning dressage can be done on any horse with any type of riding tack! If you have your own horse, there are many ways to start learning dressage virtually! Ingela Larsson has an online virtual program for riders to learn how to connect with their horses on the ground. Being able to ask your horse for precision and connection starts on the ground before you get in the saddle.

What is Eventing in the Olympics?

Eventing was first in the Olympics in 1912 with a five day competition that included an endurance test, a cross country course, a speed test, a jumping test, and a dressage test. Today, eventing is one of the most demanding equestrian events with three phases that include dressage, cross country, and stadium jumping. The three phases must all be completed on the same horse.

After watching one of the most exciting and demanding equestrian events in the Olympics, three-day eventing, all of us horse lovers around the world are feeling the itch to give it a try ourselves! Eventing is a three-day event that includes dressage, cross country, and stadium jumping, all performed on the same horse. Believe it or not, three-day eventing is offered all around the world for beginner riders to more advanced riders.

Show Jumping has long been a favorite for equestrians as riders and horses race to have the fastest time jumping over 12-15 jumps in an arena. Jumping requires precision, speed, strength, and extreme balance as a horse pushes off their hind legs flying through the air, momentarily being weightless, then landing and continuing to gallop on.

Known as one of the oldest saddle horses and most prestigious war horses throughout history, the Iberian horse was the foundation for the current day breed of the Andalusian and Lusitano. The Andalusian breed was a culmination of breeds mixing with the ancient Iberian horse as people and tribes traveled through the Andalusia province of Spain. Whereas the Lusitano breed was a culmination of breeds in the Lusitania region, now modern day Portugal, during the Roman period. 

1. Feel More Relaxed From Riding Dressage in Your Daily Life

1. Get a full body working and a six pack of abs!