Dressage

The fundamental purpose of Dressage (a French term meaning "training") is to develop, through standardized progressive training methods, a horse's natural athletic ability and willingness to perform, thereby maximizing its potential as a riding horse. Although the discipline has its roots in classical Greek horsemanship, dressage was first recognized as an important equestrian pursuit during the Renaissance in western Europe. The great European riding masters of that period developed a sequential training system that has changed little since then and is still considered the basis of modern dressage.

Airs Above Ground

These are a series of higher-level dressage maneuvers where the horse leaps above the ground. These include the capriole, courbette, croupade, and levade. They are performed with or without a rider.

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The capriole is one of the "airs above the ground" in classical dressage. It is not seen in modern competitive dressage, but is performed by the horses of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna and the Cadre Noir in Saumur.

Related Topics:
Horse - Spanish Riding School - Vienna - Cadre Noir - Saumur

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In the capriole, the horse jumps from a raised position of the forehand straight up into the air, kicks out with the hind legs, and lands more or less on all four legs at the same time. It requires an enormously powerful horse to perform correctly.

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The courbette is one of the "airs above the ground" of classical dressage. It is not seen in modern competitive dressage, but is performed by the horses of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna and the Cadre Noir of Saumur.

Related Topics:
Horse - Spanish Riding School - Vienna

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In the courbette, the horse raises his forehand off ground ground, tucks up his forelegs evenly, and then jumps forward, never allowing the forelegs to touch down, in a series of "hops". Extremely strong and talented horses can perform five or more leaps forward before having to touch down with the forelegs. It is more usual to see a series of three or four leaps.

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The levade is one of the "airs above the ground" in classical dressage, and is the ultimate form of collection. It is not performed in modern competitive dressage, but can be seen performed by the horses of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna and the Cadre Noir of Saumur. The purpose of the levade was to raise the rider out of reach of an enemy's sword. It is also a transition movement between work on the ground and the airs above the ground.

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In the levade, the horse rises on his haunches to an angle of approximately 35 degrees from the ground, with both forelegs tucked up evenly, and balances in that position. At the beginning of the movement, the hind feet come under the horse's center of gravity with the hocks coming lower to the ground, so that the horse appears to sink down in back and rise in front. The position is held for a number of seconds, and then the horse quietly puts the forelegs back on the ground and proceeds at the walk, or stands at the halt.

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The levade is a movement that requires enormous strength of the horse, and not many horses are capable of a good quality levade. The Lipizzans of the Spanish Riding School are particularly suited to the movement.

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The croupade is similar to the capriole, but the horse does not kick out at the height of elevation, but keeps hs hind legs tucked tighly under.

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The ballotade is similar to the croupade, but the horse's hind hooves are positioned so one can see its shoes if watching from behind. It appears as if the horse is ready to kick. The back of the horse is almost parallel to the ground. This is a transition movement to the more difficult capriole.

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In the mezair, the horse rears up and strikes out with its forelegs. It is similar to a series of levades with a forward motion (not in place), with the horse gradually bringing its legs further under himself in each successive movement and lightly touching the ground with his front legs before pushing up again.

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To see a video of the capriole, levade, courbette, mezair, go to http://www.lipizzaner.com/lipizzaner_frameset.asp

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