Horse Dressage Training

Grand Prix Level dressage is the highest level of dressage. This level is governed by the FEI and tests the horse and rider to the highest standards. As with the previous levels of dressage, the horse and rider are judged on correct execution of movements, the willingness of the horse and the effectiveness of the rider’s aids. This level also consists of 3 standard tests: the Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and the Musical Freestyle. The Grand Prix Special is similar to the standard Grand Prix test; however, special attention is paid to the transitions executed throughout the test.

Required movements for Grand Prix level dressage include:

Trot - Medium, Extended & Collected, Half Pass
Walk – Extended and Collected
Canter – Medium, Extended & Collected, Zig Zag Half Pass & Multiple Flying Lead Changes Every 1-2 Strides

Pirouettes
Piaffe
Passage
Halts – Collected Canter to Halt & Passage to Halt – immobility

1. The rider must constantly be thinking and keeping open the lines of communication with the horse remembering every horse is different and should be ridden as an individual
2. A well trained horse will gain confidence in themselves by building on their physical capabilities in a gradual way so they can understand the task that they are being asked to do, the horse is a heard animal its from the knowledge of where he stands in the order of his life in terms of routine, consistency and repetition of his training.All these things increase their ability.
3. Stay away from short cuts, they only exist in the minds of inpatient riders
4. Remember Dressage equals quality not quantity
5. The main aim of Dressage is to create harmony and balance between horse and rider
6. At all times the rider must remain aware and promote mental self discipline
7. The quality of the gaits takes precedence over all.
8. Progressing comes through a gradual build up of correct training
9. Go and watch as much good Dressage as you can

Jenny Rolfe can offer you the opportunity to train with her Iberian stallions using her unique skills of communication through core breathing awareness and body language.

You will see how the horse connects through loose work as Jenny demonstrates the power of focus and breathing as a bond with the horse. These skills are taken through work on the ground and will further enhance connection, balance and harmony for the rider.

A focus on core-breathing will enhance both posture and balance whilst allowing fluidity of movement throughout the body. The horse will become our mirror and be encouraged to move with a relaxed swinging ribcage and deeper rhythm in his breathing – essential for performance with every athlete. A connection through our core-breathing is like a wave in the sea- we can enhance forward movement or re-balance and steady the horse – from our core, our seat – our CONNECTION with the horse. In this way we find true HARMONY – tuning into the most sensitive responses of the horse.

Jenny can offer you the opportunity to train with her Iberian stallions using her unique skills of communication through core breathing awareness and body language. You will see how the horse connects through loose work as Jenny demonstrates the power of focus and breathing as a bond with the horse. These skills are taken through work on the ground and will further enhance skills of connection, balance and harmony for the rider.

You will learn a progressive system of training from the stable door and learn how to become the natural herd leader from the ground. You can take these skills of communication through loose work, lungeing, work in hand, building a friendship built upon trust and understanding. Jenny teaches her clients to look at a deeper self awareness mentally, physically and spiritually .

Jenny and Barrie Rolfe
Classical Communications
Tel 01769 540774

Self carriage: moving the horse in a correct and balanced frame without your horse relying on you to hold him there.

Resistance: when the horse resists the rider’s aids and refuses to do as asked.

Suppleness: when the horse responds to the rider’s request to bend and give flexion without resistance.

On the bit: the horse moves forward with energy into the rider’s hands. He accepts bit contact, even seeks contact with the rider’s hands. He is not resistant to contact. He doesn’t come above the bit with his head raised or suck back behind the bit, refusing contact.

Contact: constant communication with your horse via your hands through the reins to the bit. The feel is consistent, active and alive.

Flexion/Roundness: bending with suppleness of the horse throughout his body. Some refer to this as riding one’s horse round.
Bending/bend: when the horse creates a curve through his body from ear to through the spine to the tail. Bending creates more suppleness as well as engagement of the hind legs for lateral movements.

Engagement: think of this as tracking up well in the hind end but with added flexion in the hock and stifle. This causes the horse to “sit” more by lowering the haunches. To get proper engagement, you must ride your horse correctly on the bit, moving forward and working toward self carriage.

Lateral movements: movements such as the leg yield or shoulder in that require a horse to cross his legs while moving sideways and forward.

Impulsion: the forward energy. With the horse moving his hind legs well under him, “tracking up,” more thrust energy goes forward.

This is an age old Olympic equestrian sport, but it  can also provide great training for any  horse you want to be obedient, supple and willing to respond to you.  A good riding horse of any breed, is a partner that responds to your body signals while staying in balance and moving with proper energy. Dressage training is the training of the horse’s mind and body as a working unit, and every horse of any kind can benefit form this training.

The discipline began in Greece during classical times. The riding masers of the Renaissance developed a training system that has changed very little and is still the basis of the discipline in the modern world. More is asked as the horse becomes mentally and physically ready but the basis of the training is a step-by-step progression from simple to complex movements.  Dressage creates a unity, a dancer gliding beneath a rider,  an art form that harmonizes the free, powerfully agile movements of the horse willingly and gracefully bearing the weight of his rider. The horse and the rider identify each with the other, harmony within and without.

Schooling begins a long road which must be traveled patiently.  It begins with gymnastics because the horse’s muscles must be strengthened to carry with ease his own weight combined with that of his rider.  The hind quarter take the load, with hind legs reaching near the center of gravity, well under the body.  In this way the fore legs of the dressage horse can rise freely and take long strides.  The back is arched to form an elastic bridge while the neck is carried proudly and freely from the shoulders. The burden of the rider has in this way been removed and the  horse regains the ease of motion belonging to it naturally,  easily performing movements and leaps in the same manner as the natural wild horse.  Two creatures, man and horse, have become one.