Why Dressaging Up?

Dressaging Up,  what made me choose that name for my blog?  It’s essentially a play on “dressing up” which all girls like to do and in which the sport of dressage excels, though other equestrian sports have equally elegant attire.

For me, it’s more of a moving up, or forward in training, both for myself and my horse.  I look at the many facets of both riding and training when I say that.  The USDF web site has this to say, “Dressage is a French term meaning “training” and its purpose is to develop the horse’s natural athletic ability and willingness to work making him calm, supple and attentive to his rider.”  (What is Dressage)

One thing I have learned this go round in relearning riding is that the horse will not develop properly in training if the rider is not developed, or developing, also.  This was an essential lesson to me in learning to ride Bella.  She was relatively young, 5, when I bought her.  Her training was basic at that time.  During the two years we worked and trained together she learned to walk, trot and canter with a rider, on a longe, and many other nice manners such as standing still for a rider to mount.  (I continue to appreciate that!)  She was still maturing and is still learning.

I, however have been a bit delayed in getting solid in the canter.  I am still working in the walk trot level.   I am learning to be more than a passenger.  I am learning to be Bella’s trainer, she my partner.  This month I am working hard to get my winter lazy body ready to ride again.  I will be ‘training’ for a couple more weeks – exercising and preparing to ride soon.  I’m going to investigate an exercise routine, maybe I’ll see about Pilates.  I’ll let you know how that goes.