Classical Dressage Training

Those who take dressage training vacations are learning an equestrian discipline which is millennia old in Europe and has recently seen a burgeoning of interest among riders in the U.S. A viable program must have not only an experienced and qualified instructor, but just as critical are the “schoolmasters” – the selection of well-schooled horses who allow riders of all levels to gain a deep understanding and feel for the movements and timing which of this demanding art. The following instructional opportunities are the best we have encountered.

Classical Dressage Training Clinics with Rafael Soto – We are offering a special opportunity for individual dressage training lessons this fall and winter with Rafael Soto, an Olympic silver medalist in dressage. He has an exceptional talent for instruction; very unusual for Olympic medalists. The horses used will be at a high school level just below grand prix.

This clinic is a unique opportunity to take four private lessons on the last two days of this six day clinic from one of Europe’s top dressage competitors at an affordable price as well as enjoying an inside view of colorful Andalusian culture. The lessons will be held at the excellent facilities of the Epona riding Center and on the first four days ten group lessons will be given by one of Epona’s highly qualified instructors calculated to prepare you to benefit the most from the master’s lessons at the end of the session. It is a new program which we are just finalizing now so please call Roz or Biggi on 800-545-0019 for details if you are interested.

Classical Dressage Training in New England - This training program under a highly qualified European instructor with beautifully trained Lusitano stallions is easy for Americans to reach. The atmosphere is very conducive to perfecting your dressage style and encouraging you to go farther.

Alcainca Dressage Training in Portugal - The riding center is certainly one of the world’s best places to gain valuable experience on superb Lusitano stallions. There is a great deal of historical interest to be seen near this stable located not far from Lisbon.

Epona Equestrian Center in Spain - Epona offers dressage training to a very high level to fit your personal needs. You can take morning trail rides in the attractive surrounding countryside and lessons in the afternoon. The stable is close to the Spanish Riding School at Jerez and your stay includes a visit there. Check out the amazingly reasonable price.

A Lusitano stallion in New England

Magnificent horse and rider on the coast of Portugal

An Adalusian stallion at Epona in Spain

The Ancient Greeks were the first to leave records about anything like the art of dressage.  Almost 2,500 years ago Xenophon wrote a treatise about how to teach horses and riders to do movements very similar to those we practice today.  Somewhat surprisingly the techniques he suggests for were almost as gentle as those of Linda Tellington-Jones and not at all like the brutal methods used by most people in ancient times as well as in many parts of the world today.   No doubt he had an influence on the Renaissance aristocrats who refined the sport and added to the art.

In this day of aircraft and tanks it is hard to realize that not so long ago the horse played an often determining roll in the course of battles.  Well trained horses and riders could turn the balance so dressage was much more than a sport in those days.  Movements like pirouetting, leaping, kicking and rearing could be tremendously useful in a battle at close quarters.  The capriole, where the horse kicked out with great power front and back must have been a particularly devastating maneuver to surrounding foot soldiers.  The psychological effect of a horse on opposing foot soldiers was also important.  The Aztecs were certainly terrified by Cortez’s cavalry and European soldiers were far from immune to the same kind of panic.

Dressage training was not only useful for warfare. It also helped horse and rider in equestrian sports like hunting, racing and bullfighting. Like so many events in modern rodeo the movements in competition developed from very practical needs. Iberian horses like Andalusians and Lusitanos were excellent for this purpose. It is interesting that classical dressage and classical Western Riding have a great deal in common which is not surprising since they both come from the same Spanish roots. You will find that a week of challenging riding can also be a very enjoyable vacation providing an interesting glimpse of another culture and an opportunity to meet new friends.