Dressage tests the horse’s physique and ability, and the horse and the rider’s understanding of each other. They perform a series of paces, halts, changes of direction, movements and figures


The sport of training horses for competition has existed for several centuries. Dressage developed as a method of training horses for war, teaching them precise movements. There is some evidence that dressage-type manoeuvres were developed by the ancient Greeks. Modern dressage began during the Renaissance when the Neapolitan nobleman Federico Grisone founded a riding academy in Naples in 1532. France quickly became the top nation in dressage and embraced it enthusiastically. In the 20th century, Germany replaced France as the top nation in this event.

 

Equestrian is the only Olympic sport where man and animal are established team-mates, and one of the few where men and women compete on equal terms.

It is the ultimate in team sports, a horse and rider working together for years to hone feats of grace, daring, agility and speed.
Chariot races and horse riding appeared in Greece's ancient Games, but most of the equestrian programme as we know it began in the Olympic Games of 1912. It includes three disciplines - dressage, jumping and three-day event - each with individual and team competition.

Often described as horses performing ballet, dressage has changed little since the Renaissance. The term stems from a French word for training, and European cavalrymen developed the idea for use on the battlefield and the parade ground.

The horse performs set movements, or tests, in response to its rider's subtle aids and signals. The event is conducted over three rounds. In the first two, horse and rider perform a set routine of dressage movements, including passages, pirouettes and piaffes in a walk, trot and canter. The third round is freestyle, with routines individually choreographed and performed to music.
The scoring is done by judges who evaluate how well the horse executes the moves. During the Olympics four days are devoted to dressage.