I know a lot of people give > dressage a bad rap, but the dressage I saw today was certainly inspiring - > the kind of dressage that inspired my interest in the sport (art?) almost 20 > years ago. It was relatively low-level, but demonstrated and coached by > good people - people who weren't using heavy rein contact, who were talking > about (and using) relatively mild tack, and aiming for the lightest aids > possible.
That's really nice. Even non-riders appreciate good horsemanship, and can see it most of the time. In the reining freestyle, the whole crowd screamed like crazy for the bridleless and bareback riders, and I'm sure most of them would never consider riding like that. And at the Grand Prix, when one rider lost his temper when his horse refused a jump and repeatedly jerked the reins, the whole crowd booed. (the event was sold out, as is usual for most of the horse events at the National Western) I watched a dressage demo at a local county fair a few years ago. One of the riders had a fairly green horse that was a total joy to watch! I could just see how this horse was completely attentive to the rider, and having FUN doing dressage! The mare had this happy, keen expression on her face, and it made for the nicest dressage ride I have ever seen. I talked w/ the rider afterwards and she said that she and the mare had a good bond--that was pretty obvious from their ride!
