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Asian Games: What is Equestrian team dressage?

India emerged triumphant in Equestrian team dressage at the Asian Games 2023, winning the gold medal for the first time in 41 years.

By Ground report 26 Sep 2023

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Asian Games: What is Equestrian team dressage?

The Indian Dressage Team made history by winning a gold medal at the Asian Games on September 26, 2023, marking the first time in 41 years that India achieved this feat. Sudipti Hajela, Divyakriti Singh, Hriday Chheda, and Anush Agarwalla, who were part of the team, showcased exceptional skill and teamwork to secure the coveted gold medal. This victory is a significant milestone for India in the world of equestrian sports, particularly dressage, which is one of the most popular forms of horse riding in the country.

Indian equestrian sports made progress, which was proved by their triumphant win at the Asian Games 2023. The event at the Asiads witnessed India achieving their first podium finish, thereby establishing their strong position in the international equestrian community. The nation feels immense pride in this historic achievement and it will serve as an inspiration for future generations of Indian equestrians.

What is Team Dressage event in Equestrian?

According to Equestrian Australia, "In Dressage competitions, the horse and rider perform a series of predetermined movements, known as 'figures' or 'movements,' in an arena of either 20x60 meters or occasionally 20x40 meters. The arena contains 12 lettered markers placed symmetrically to indicate where movements should start and finish, as well as where changes of pace or lead should occur.

In all competitions, the horse must show the three paces: walk, trot, and canter, as well as smoothly transition between these paces. Very collected movements such as Piaffe and Passage are required at the Grand Prix level.

Both individuals and teams perform equestrian. Each team comprises three or four combinations riding at any level, with each pair riding a test and the best three scores contributing to the overall team total.

What does dressage involve?

The rider and horse 'perform' a predetermined set of movements from memory within a standard arena in dressage. People believe that dressage is the highest form of horse training and riding as it requires immaculate coordination between the rider and animal. As dressage routines are set to music, judges evaluate the fluidity and ease with which the routine is performed. Dressage revolves around agility, technique, and coordination.

The FEI (Fédération Équestre Internationale) governs the Prix St. Georges, Intermediare I, Intermediare II, and Grand Prix dressage tests at the international level. The Olympic Games dressage competition includes the Grand Prix dressage tests. Both horse and rider must demonstrate the highest level of skill and concentration to perform at this level of test.

Dressage is an equestrian discipline that involves the rider and horse performing a predetermined set of movements from memory within a standard arena. The goal of dressage is to achieve harmony and balance between the rider and horse, while demonstrating the horse's athleticism, obedience, and grace.

Rules

The judges assess dressage competitions on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being the highest score. Judges evaluate the rider and horse on a variety of factors, including:

The horse's gaits (walk, trot, canter) and movements (such as pirouettes, half-passes, and flying changes)
The rider's position and balance
The horse's obedience and willingness to perform
The overall harmony and balance of the pair

Format

Typically, organizers hold dressage competitions in a 60m x 20m arena where the rider and horse perform a series of predetermined movements. The competition organizers design these movements to test the horse's athleticism, obedience, and grace, as well as the rider's skill and horsemanship.

History

Dressage has its roots in military training, where it was used to prepare horses for battle. However, dressage eventually evolved into an independent equestrian discipline, with its own set of rules and competitions.

Federico Grisone organized the first dressage competition in 1550 in Naples, Italy. People consider him the father of modern dressage.

Dressage became an Olympic sport in 1912. Today, people hold dressage competitions all over the world, from local shows to international championships.

Origin

The word "dressage" comes from the French word "dresser," which means "to train." The word was first used in the context of horsemanship in the 16th century.

Dressage is believed to have originated in ancient Greece. The ancient Greeks were skilled horsemen, and they used dressage to train their horses for war and chariot racing.

Dressage was also practiced by the ancient Romans. The Romans used dressage to train their horses for cavalry warfare and for the Roman Games.

During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, people continued to develop dressage. In the 16th century, Federico Grisone published a book called "The Rules of Riding," which was the first treatise on dressage in over a thousand years.

Dressage continued to evolve in the 17th and 18th centuries. During this time, dressage masters such as François Robichon de la Guérinière and François Baucher developed new training methods and movements.

Dressage became an Olympic sport in 1912. Since then, dressage has become one of the most popular equestrian disciplines in the world.

In equestrian, you can compete alone or in a team.

Teams have 3 or 4 pairs (rider and horse). Each pair does a test, and the top 3 scores count for the team.

For India, Anush Agarwalla and horse ETRO got the highest score of 71.088. Hriday Chheda on Emerald scored 69.941, Divyakriti Singh with Adrenalin Firdod got 68.176, and Sudipti Hajela on Chinski scored 66.706.

India's total score was 209.205, much higher than China's 204.882. Anush Agarwalla outperformed teams like China and Japan, who were expected to win, achieving the highest score of 71.088.