Dressage in the Pony Club!
What is it?
The aim of dressage is to help riders to improve their riding by acquiring and establishing an independent seat, and a true knowledge of the aids.
Whatever mumbo jumbo is spread about – dressage is purely basic training for the horse to promote balance and suppleness. The end game is to produce a beautifully trained animal that is responsive to the lightest of aids and enjoys being on the same side as his/her rider. We see the opposite very often– angry horses tails swishing and teeth grinding, moodily plodding round and round in ever decreasing circles, with red and puffing jockeys wildly kicking and pulling!.
Dressage can be very boring – for both horse and rider, when it is not being done properly. If the rider gains enough experience, he or she can make the work challenging and interesting for the horse, they can both learn together – and the end product is a much more enjoyable ride, whether it be a hack in the Forest or the national dressage championships!
In the Pony Club ...
... we aim to promote dressage skills through our flatwork rallies and through private lessons. If you are interested in dressage and would like to know more or be part of a team then e-mail NEED AN E-M ADDRESS Jennie Leigh for senior level dressage or Heather Wooster for junior or intermediate.