DRESSAGE

The following information refers to previous Festival activities.
We will update this webpage when 2012 arrangements are confirmed

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In previous Festivals during Sunday the ACT Dressage Association has held a dressage competition in the Main Arena. Participants come from across the region and beyond in a spectacle of horse riding skills and wonderful quality horse stock. The Official / Associate Dressage Competition is in preparation for the Australian Dressage Grand Prix and features some of the finest horses and riders - some who participate in international competition, including the Olympic Games.

So what is dressage - horse ballet, dancing or athletics? Its fundamental purpose is to develop, through standardized progressive training methods, a horse's natural athletic ability and willingness to perform, thereby maximizing its potential as a riding horse. At the peak of a dressage horse's gymnastic development, it can smoothly respond to a skilled rider's minimal aids by performing the requested movement while remaining relaxed and appearing effortless. Although the discipline has ancient roots, dressage was first recognized as an important equestrian pursuit in Europe during the Renaissance.

Audiences will see differing levels of competition which are scored out of 10. Dressage tests are the formalized sequence of a number of dressage movements used in competition. Although horses and riders are competing against each other, tests are completed by one horse and rider combination at a time, and horses and riders are judged against a common standard, rather than having their performance scored relative to the other competitors.

For more information on Dressage please contact the ACT Dressage Association. Happy Riding!