Welcome to The Meynell Dressage Page

Dressage Team Manager Liz Ovenden

So what is dressage, why should we do dressage, how do we get better at it and how do we get involved?

What is Dressage

The object of Dressage is the harmonious development of the physique and ability of the horse. As a result it makes the horse calm, supple, loose and flexible, but also confident, attentive and keen, so achieving perfect understanding with his rider. Dressage is about showing the judge that you can get your pony to do what you want him to do, when you want him to do it.

You and your pony have to follow a set of instructions laid out in the dressage test. A judge marks the test. They give you a mark out of ten for how well you carry out each instruction. At the end of the test the marks are added up and the winner is the horse and rider with the highest score.

How Do I Start?

The good news is that you have probably already started doing some Dressage!

When you are riding at home and getting the pony to do the things that you want him to do you are already practising the basics of dressage.
To improve you and your pony, you might want to have lessons at a rally, where you will get help with your riding which will make the pony behave better.

Can I Do More?

As you practice and your confidence grows you can take part in a competition. If you cannot remember your dressage test, don’t worry as someone can read the test out loud to you (apart from Area Competitions and Championships). They start at Walk trot tests which are great fun.