The Del Mar International Dressage Horse Show
brought beautiful horses and exceptionally trained talent. Various levels of skill were judged based
upon the ability of the horse and rider to successfully complete required
movements at appropriate levels. Participants conducted flying leads, tort in
place, prirourettes at canter, and elevated trots among others to win their
positions.
Judges looked for the ability of the horse and rider
to work as a single unit. As the rider and horse bond with each other through practice
they begin to understand the subtle cues they give each other. Well-seasoned
horses have the ability to pick up on their rider’s intentions through body
language even though the use of reins and verbal commands are still given.
Equestrian shows have been around for hundreds of
years and are part of cavalry’s military heritage. When the soldier and horse
work in unison they have higher rates of survival on the battlefield. The
ability to move together in unison, and at varying angles, and gaits requires
extensive amounts of repetitive training. The movements in modern dressage shows maintain
their historical glory.
The type of people who frequent equestrian shows do so
based upon interest in competition and group affiliation (Daniels & Norman,
2005). They are less likely to be motivated by escape or self-esteem needs.
Those who attend the circuit on a regular basis become part of a group within
the equestrian lifestyles that they lead.
You may familiar with watching your traditional sports
but you can always consider attending a dressage show. You can see a piece of
history and the fined detailed training these riders have displayed. It can be
difficult to train an athlete and training a horse requires a lot of patience
and practice.
Del
Mar international Dressage Horse Show
Sept. 16-18,
Del Mar Fairgrounds
Daniels, M. & Norman, W. (2005). Motivations of
equestrian tourists: an analysis of the colonial cup races. Journal of Sport & Tourism, 10 (3).
