what is the dressage course being ridden in the olympics

by Zakary Goyette 7 min read

What is Olympic dressage?

It is often called the ballet of horseback riding. The first Olympic competition was in 1912, although the sport is centuries old. Olympic dressage is scored by five FEI judges; each sits in a different position around the arena.

What is the difference between show jumping and dressage in Olympics?

In recent years, the dressage phase of eventing has been extended to two days making the three-day event a four-day one and necessitating a name change. Show jumping is more commonly known as jumping these days. Hans Günther Winkler is the most successful equestrian jumper in Olympic history.

How many Olympic medals have Germany won in dressage?

They have won a total of 25 golds, 13 silver and 14 bronze medals with no fewer than 34 of those medals coming since German reunification in 1990. Isabell Werth was part of Germany's victorious dressage team at Barcelona 1992, winning individual silver on that occasion.

When is the 2019 Olympic dressage competition?

The first round begins on Saturday, with the Team final on Tuesday (July 27) and Individual medals to be won on Wednesday (July 28). If you are new to the sport or interested in finding out more about this most elegant and graceful of disciplines, here’s everything you need to know about Dressage…

What dressage test is ridden at the Olympics?

Olympic eventing dressage testEvent riders competing at the Tokyo Olympics will be riding a new Olympic eventing dressage test. The shortened dressage test has been designed to make the phase more spectator-friendly, with movements coming up more quickly. This means it will be more intense for both horse and rider.

What level of dressage is in the Olympics?

The dressage tests performed at the Olympic Games dressage competition are Grand Prix. This level of test demands the most skill and concentration from both horse and rider.

What is the Olympic sport dressage?

YesDressage / Current Olympic sport?

Where is the Olympic dressage?

When and where did the Olympic dressage take place? The Olympic dressage competitions were held on 24-25 and 27-28 July 2021 at the equestrian park in Tokyo's Heritage Zone. The team medals were decided on 27 July. The individual medals were won on 28 July.

What is a dressage rider called?

equestrian Add to list Share. An equestrian is an expert horseback rider. If you only go riding for an hour while on vacation you aren't an equestrian, but the person leading the group and riding the flashy horse probably is.

Is dressage cruel to horses?

Many horses compete at the highest level of dressage and are not treated cruelly. However, some dressage competitions and training are cruel. Harmful conditions arise through forceful and rapid training methods. But, training practiced with patience and care is beneficial for you and your horse.

Will dressage be in the Olympics?

The current Olympic equestrian disciplines are Dressage, Eventing, and Jumping. In each discipline, both individual and team medals are awarded. Women and men compete together on equal terms. Together with the equestrian component of Modern Pentathlon, it is the only Olympic event that involves animals.

What is the point of horse dressage?

Dressage achieves balance, suppleness, and obedience with the purpose of improving and facilitating the horse's performance of normal tasks. If the advanced training stage is reached, dressage may become an objective in itself.

What is dressage training?

Dressage itself is a way of training and riding your horse. The actual word “dressage” is French and evolved from the verb dresseur meaning to train. There are many different equestrian disciplines of horseback riding from classical dressage, western riding, through to jumping, reining and eventing to name a few.

Who won Olympic dressage 2021?

Equestrian powerhouse Germany comfortably won the dressage team gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday, with a trio of riders led by world No. 1 Isabell Werth and also featuring Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Dorothee Schneider.

How do the dressage horses get to Tokyo?

Like their riders, the horses seen in Tokyo got there by plane having been kept in mandatory quarantine for a week before their flights. The horses, who have their own individual passports, are loaded into stalls on the ground that are then moved onto a large cargo plane.

How do dressage horses get to the Olympics?

Much like the athletes, the horses travel to the Olympics by plane. They are loaded into stalls which are then levered up to the plane, and loaded on. Two horses have to share a stall – though normally it would be three. They get special allowances for being Oympians.

What is dressage scoring?

Sometimes likened to ballet on horseback, dressage is scored solely by judges who are looking for horse and athlete to display athletic prowess and supreme elegance in a series of pre-determined movements .

What are the three disciplines of equestrian?

There are three equestrian disciplines scheduled for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 2021: dressage, eventing, and jumping . They are unique in two ways - equestrian events are the only ones on the Olympic programme involving non-human animals, and they feature men and women competing with and against each other on equal terms.

Where is the Sea Forest Cross Country Course?

The eventing cross-country element will take place at Sea Forest Cross Country Course in Sea Forest Park, Tokyo Bay.

Which country is the most successful in equestrian?

Top Olympic equestrian riders at Tokyo 2020. Germany is the most successful nation in Olympic equestrian history by a considerable margin. They have won a total of 25 golds, 13 silver and 14 bronze medals with no fewer than 34 of those medals coming since German reunification in 1990.

Who won the 2018 World Equestrian Games?

The winner in Rotterdam was Martin Fuchs who was also second at the 2018 World Equestrian Games behind Germany's Simone Blum. Fuchs is part of a strong Swiss team with his mentor Steve Guerdat, the individual gold medallist at London 2012, still a force to be reckoned with.

Where is the equestrian event in Tokyo?

The eventing cross-country element will take place at Sea Forest Cross Country Course in Sea Forest Park, Tokyo Bay.

What is dressage in sports?

What is dressage? Dressage is one the three Olympic equestrian sports – the others are eventing and showjumping. The word “dressage” comes from the French word “dresseur”, which means training, and the sport involves showing off a horse’s training by performing a set of prescribed movements in front of a panel of judges.

How many judges score dressage?

In a dressage test, rider and horse perform certain movements specific to the level at which they are competing. Each of these movements is scored out of 10 by a number of judges – up to seven at Olympic level – who are seated at different positions around the arena.

What is dressage in horse riding?

Dressage in particular demands a very high degree of core strength and body control from both horse and rider, as well as meticulous attention to detail. It also forms the basis in training for other horse sports – all equestrian disciplines involve elements of dressage to a certain degree.

How many teams will compete in the 2021 Olympics?

At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, 15 teams of three will take part, with the grand prix special deciding the Olympic dressage team medals – a new format for this year.

When was dressage invented?

Dressage as a concept dates back to 350 AD, and it has its roots in battle – a better trained horse would be more effective and efficient on the battlefield. Over time, this developed into a way of demonstrating horsemanship, as well as the relationship between horse and rider.

Who has the highest score in dressage?

The highest score ever given in dressage is 94.3%, awarded to Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro for their grand prix freestyle test at Olympia, London, in December 2014. Charlotte and Valegro also hold the current world records for both the standard grand prix test (87.46%) and the grand prix special (88.022%). Valegro was retired from the sport in ...

Which countries are qualified for the Tokyo Olympics?

The countries who have qualified teams for the Tokyo Olympics are: Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, the USA, Canada, Australia, Russia and the host team, Japan. A further 15 riders will also take part as individuals. At top competitions, including the Olympics, ...

When was the first Olympic dressage competition?

The first Olympic competition was in 1912, although the sport is centuries old. Olympic dressage is scored by five FEI judges; each sits in a different position around the arena. Scores are based on the accuracy and brilliance of each required movement of the assigned test and rated on a scale of 0 to 10.

How many riders are there in dressage?

Each country may have a maximum of three riders competing for individual medals in the dressage competition. There may be four riders from each country in jumping and five in eventing competing for individual medals.

What are the rules for dressage and jumping?

Rules for tack, clothing, and arena for dressage and jumping are similar to these individual sports. The cross country course consists of jumps made of very solid natural type obstacles. During the cross country phase, riders will be seen wearing jerseys and helmet covers in their team colors, an ASTM/SEI helmet, gloves, and body protector. Riders wear eventing watches with a large readout that allows them to keep track of their time and alert them when 'optimum time' has been reached.

What is the dressage arena?

Olympic dressage is held in a flat 20 X 60-meter arena. The horses wear minimal tack which are usually black in color. At the Olympic level, bridles will be a curb bit with a bridoon (sometimes called a double bridle). A plain cavesson, flash, figure-eight, or drop noseband may be used. Saddles will be dressage style with a straight flap and a white square saddle pad. No boots or wraps may be used.

What do horses wear in the horse show?

No boots or wraps may be used. The riders wear a shadbelly tailcoat, yellow vest, top hat, white gloves, white breeches, and black tall boots. Horses will have their manes braided and may be banded with white tape. Tails may be braided but are usually left flowing to encourage natural tail carriage.

What is eventing in horse racing?

Eventing is a test of the skill, versatility, courage, and endurance of horse and rider. Three-day eventing is held over three days and consists of three disciplines: cross country jumping, dressage and stadium jumping. The cross-country phase takes place over a course of natural and man-made objects.

What is dressage in horseback riding?

Dressage is the systematic training of a horse to carry a rider with ease and grace. Dressage competitions demonstrate the level of training a horse and rider team have attained together. During the test, you will see the horse ridden at different paces and different speeds within those paces. The horses will be asked to fluidly move in straight lines and circles. The horses will also be asked to move smoothly and obediently sideways, diagonally and in place. You will see horses in "collection" where the horse is moving with a higher elevation of back and legs, and "extension" where the horse is reaching further with its legs while still carrying its neck and back in an elevated frame. Olympic level dressage competition highlights the most advanced and refined riding skills. It is often called the ballet of horseback riding.

How many judges are there for dressage?

When riding a dressage test, you will be evaluated by up to three judges. The judges will give you a score on every element of the dressage test as you ride. They will look for obedience, suppleness, accuracy, attitude, and how well you ride. The dressage ring is marked at its perimeter with letters. Before you enter the ring, you will hear ...

How to know if you are penalized in dressage?

The dressage ring is marked at its perimeter with letters. Before you enter the ring, you will hear a bell or a whistle. This lets you know you have a certain time to enter the dressage ring before you are penalized. You will enter and salute the judge.

What is a Kur in dressage?

Dressage is teaching a horse to be supple, balanced and responsive. A kur is a dressage test ridden to music.

Why is it important to train a horse slowly?

It's important to train slowly. Forcing a horse into 'frame' could cause sore muscles and a reluctant horse. Your horse might learn to carry his front end properly, without learning to drive with his hind-end. This can cause soreness and a reluctant attitude.

What are the benefits of dressage?

Jumpers, trail horses, pleasure horses, and English and western show horses can benefit from dressage training. Your horse will become more athletic and obedient and you will become a better rider.

What happens when you complete the dressage test?

When you have completed your test, you will halt, salute the judge, and leave the ring. At the end of the dressage competition, you will receive your scorecard, with a final score.

What equipment do you need to ride a horse?

Any sound horse or pony of any breed can be ridden at the lower levels. An English snaffle bit. An English saddle. Braiding equipment for your horse's mane. Gloves, shirt, jacket, breeches, boots, and approved helmet.

How The Tokyo Competition Will work...

  • The FEI Grand Prix test, in which all athletes must participate, will take place on July 24 and 25 and is a qualifier for both the team and individual competitions. The qualification ranking will be decided by the results of all three team members. Athletes compete in six groups, with three groups competing on each day. The composition of the groups is based on the FEI World Rankin…
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Top Athletes

  • The best Dressage riders in the world compete internationally, and the FEI governs competition rules for the most prestigious events: the Olympic Games, the Pan American Games, the FEI Dressage World Cup™, FEI World Equestrian Games™, the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™, and the FEI European Dressage Championships. In 2021, the undisputed top Dressage rider in the world …
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Types of Horses used…

  • There are hundreds of breeds and crosses ridden in Dressage, especially at the lower levels of competition.Riders looking to compete in this discipline will be happiest and most successful if their horses naturally perform the movements of Dressage without fighting their conformation. At the elite tiers, there are a few breeds that stand out. These...
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Training and Equipment

  • To get started training in Dressage, you don’t need a lot of fancy equipment, but there are two pieces you should have: a Dressage bridle with a snaffle bit and a Dressage saddle. You’ll also want a saddle cloth that’s appropriately sized for Dressage and a good pair of riding gloves. You can ask around your stables or at the local tack shop for a trainer who specialises in Dressage. …
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This Discipline Might Be Ideal For You If...

  • If the thought of doing choreography on your horse appeals to you, Dressage might be perfect for you.Dressage athletes usually like riding with great precision and are musically inclined as well. Since Dressage scoring is more subjective than that for Jumping, which is completely quantitative, it helps to have a thick skin and understand that each judge scores a little differentl…
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Want to Learn More?

  • One of the best things you can do is watch some international Dressage competitions to see the discipline performed at the highest level. Be sure to cheer for your country in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Then, catch the return to FEI Dressage Nations Cup action afterward in September on FEI TV, which also has a terrific catalogue of the best recent Dressage performan…
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The Competition

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There are six Olympic Equestrian events that take place in a number of venues: 1. Eventing, Team Competition 2. Eventing, Individual Competition 3. Dressage, Team Competition 4. Dressage, Individual Competition 5. Jumping, Team Competition 6. Jumping, Individual Competition All Olympic equestrian disciplines are governed …
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What Are The Olympic Equestrian Events?

  • Dressage
    Dressage is the systematic training of a horse to carry a rider with ease and grace. Dressage competitions demonstrate the level of training a horse and rider team have attained together. During the test, you will see the horse ridden at different paces and different speeds within thos…
  • Show Jumping
    Show jumping tests the ability of the horse and rider to jump over a series of obstacles inside a riding ring. You will see horses and riders jumping over a preset course of 10 to 16 jumps that are up to 6ft 6in (2m) high or wide. Courses are designed with many tricky turns and colorful obstacl…
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Equipment and Venues

  • Dressage
    Olympic dressage is held in a flat 20 X 60-meter arena. The horses wear minimal tack which are usually black in color. At the Olympic level, bridles will be a curb bitwith a bridoon (sometimes called a double bridle). A plain cavesson, flash, figure-eight, or drop noseband may be used. Sad…
  • Three Day Eventing
    Rules for tack, clothing, and arena for dressage and jumping are similar to these individual sports. The cross country course consists of jumps made of very solid natural type obstacles. During the cross country phase, riders will be seen wearing jerseys and helmet covers in their team colors, …
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How Do They Win?

  • Each country may have a maximum of three riders competing for individual medals in the dressage competition. There may be four riders from each country in jumping and five in eventing competing for individual medals. Show jumping placings are determined by the fewest knock-downs, penalties and fastest times if there is a jump-off. Dressage placings are determined by t…
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