a public apology for being an ignorant a**

[Struth Ruth]

For years now I've said 'dressage.....dull, boring zzzzzz' etc. and over the last year or so I've realised how completely uneducated and ignorant I was being........!

Thanks to Horse & Country TV and a few DVD's I've borrowed from people, I've been watching a lot of it and I'm increasingly impressed and in awe of what people can acheive in the dressage field.

They're showing a lot of the dressage championships at Blue Water on H&C TV at the moment, and I must admit that partly due to Carl Hester and other commentators on there explaining what you're seeing really well, I'm beginning to really see what it's all about and understand how amazing it really is.

They also showed a Carl Hester demo at YHL and I was amazed at the horses self-carriage and the beauty of it all.

So there you go, it's official, I'm no longer ignorant and most definitely converted!!! :D

[Lgd]

Ahh! Another one with a toe on the slippery slope to dressage mania :D

My 'I'll never do a dressage test in my life' showjumping and hunting friend is now so hooked she bought herself a dressage horse when her old boy died, is now competing her husbands hunter as well and is buying them both dressage saddles. :D :D

[chickyd444]

i love it - since i started with my instructor - i am addicted :D

[coss]

i used to be a showjumping nut - all i wanted to do in lessons then got a new instructor and she made things a bit trickier to improve the jumping technique and showed me how important the flatwork was - my horses aren't keen on jumping and so i am not a dresage nut :p

[Struth Ruth]

Ahh! Another one with a toe on the slippery slope to dressage mania :D

My 'I'll never do a dressage test in my life' showjumping and hunting friend is now so hooked she bought herself a dressage horse when her old boy died, is now competing her husbands hunter as well and is buying them both dressage saddles. :D :D

Slippery slope is about right! I feel like I'm hurtling down it at break neck speed :D

The more I find out about it, the more I want to know....we're thinking about getting a second horse and my mind is now firmly fixed onto something that would be a good dressage horse, and if not I have plans to buy our current horse a dressage saddle.

It doesn't hurt either that our YO has lessons from a dressage olympic hopeful.....!!! Am sure I could convince her to stay for another hour and give me a lesson or two :p:D

Am so surprised as it never really appealed to me before now....life's a funny old thing isn't it??!

:D

[Iron Maiden]

I thought dressage was boring & rubbish 'til I saw these guys at Goodwood (skip the first minute of the clip, I have no idea what it's all abut cos I don't speak German!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T3AcvnEuMw

I don't think I've seen anyone since who brought a lump to my throat like they did, but you're right, a horse in true self-carriage is absolutley beautiful.

Trouble is that I'm crap at dressage & I love my jumping, but I'm getting a dressage saddle...;)

[Sofi]

I really admire those who can actually take part in dressage competitively because since I first tried it I've realised how difficult it is.

I've been taking part in dressage lessons for two months now and I still find it hard just to keep the horse working on the bit in canter. Those complicated movements such as the piaffe must have taken years for both horse and rider to master and it must feel like heaven to ride. Oh well... all in due time. :D

[Jane.A]

I'm starting dressage addicts anonymous soon, I've taken the first step by coming out and admitting publically that I'm a dressage addict, but all the meetings I attend (competitions) and all the regular sessions with my sponsor ( trainer) just seem to fuel my addiction......can anyone help????:D
seriously since I started judging its got worse, the more I learn the more I know I don't know and the more it fuels my thirst for knowledge. Costs me a fortune in travelling to training, sitting in with higher listed judges, watching other trainers teach and going to seminars. Luckily there are a few fellow sufferers in the area so we can share petrol, but it really is an obsessive compulsive kind of sport.

[NoviceNic]

**Hands Up** I too used to turn the telly over when the Dressage came on. Whats the point I used to think. :o

However flatwork has changed all that. I want to try more Dressage. Keeping my fingers crossed I can get out and about more this year to try it. :)

[Bay Mare]

I used to think that dressage was for old people and people who were too scared to jump!!!

[coss]

I used to think that dressage was for old people and people who were too scared to jump!!!

ditto:p

[Julz]

Im not good at it, but with the correct schooling/lessons, I hope to become better and my sister's horse and I a better more balanced team, and perhaps do better at dressage..I really like to see a test nicely performed, by people who are trying to do thier best by thier horse.

[horse_crazy]

yay, another one converted! I love it, I agree with the person that said dressage is a very highly adicktive sport!

[Cupcake]

I converted a few years back and love every second of it. Now all I need is a horse that can actually do the steps :o

[Struth Ruth]

How nice to know I'n not alone.....!!! :D

Jane A. I think you should set up a Dressage Annonymous group, can I be the first to join?

*stands up* hello, my name's Ruth and I'm....I'm...addicted to dressage...' :p

Sofi - I know exactly what you mean, had a lesson last night and it was such incredibly hard work,and that was just to get her down on the bit and working in an outline. It doesn't help that I'm riding a heavier horse that has no interest in dressage and would much rather I take her XC (but I'm far too scared for that!) but it's amazing to see the professionals do it and it's all so light and effortless (sure it doesn't feel like that though!)

Thank you for all the responses, fellow addicts!!! :D:p

[Fanshawe]

Oh yes completely addictive and everyone looks at you like you are a wuss (I am when it comes to jumping cause I broke my back jumping! :) ) but until they experience that sense of connectedness and power then they don't know what they are missing. I think we should actually start an 'addicited to dressage and proud of it' club so we can go out there and convert others!

[Smartie Pants2]

I just love the dressage to music, I have watched some Spanish Horses and they were just so elegant and graceful.

[kirky]

I watched Carl Hester on H&C the other day riding a big chestnut which I believe is Grand Prix level and he makes it look soooo easy but although I can never do that, either me or the horse, I still want to get better and compete.( In fact LGD has started giving me lessons which is great):)

[Lgd]

*sigh* I figure Carl could get something one step up from a skateboard to GP - he is one really talented guy.

[summerguest]

I'm definitaly addicted...just wish I could do it!

My husband (non horsey) who only knows dressage as the stuff on the tv / grand prix level.
Laughs at my prelim/novice competitions....doesn't understand how just riding round in circles and serpentines can count as dressage!!!!

[Kis Vihar]

:)Hi - I'm new here and also a new 'dressage convert'!!

It's thanks to Interdressage, the internet based site, www.interdressage.com that allows tests to be learned at home, then filmed and submitted for monthly judging in competitions, classes from Walk & Trot, to Advanced, to Stype & Performance, with jumps included. For me, Interdressage is great because I can't travel to competitions from the middle of Hungary! (Not until I win the lottery anyway!). The tests are all judged by a BD Listed Judge and marked really well, with very constructive comments. You are also given an 'advice section' from a BHS instructor, who tells you all sorts of tips and advice, telling you what you could try and work on to improve. You can enter on any horse or pony (over 4) and more than one person can ride that horse, so it's great for sharers and riding schools! Some people say it's not 'proper' dressage because the tests are specially written for Interdressage to be shorter and 'internet friendly', but I'd say to any dressage fan, especially like me, who only ever did showing and showjumping and had to 'change direction' due to ill-health, give Interdressage a go. There's a free email newsletter every month, it's great! The rosettes awarded to 10th each class are really lovely, there are special 'training classes' included some months, and the tests are a great way of gradually bringing on your horse (and yourself!!) And of course there's no stressful travelling, competition nerves, riding your test in the rain, etc!

Can I be the 'Dressage Anonymous' area rep for Hungary please!!!! ;)