Versatility Showcase - Dressage

The Morgan Horse in Dressage

Professional and amateur riders are discovering that the Morgan horse can compete in open Dressage competition and win! While warmbloods have dominated the Dressage scene for several decades, riders are increasingly seeking a more ridable horse. On an international level, many Dressage riders are searching for a horse that is lighter, more willing, and a greater joy with whom to partner.

The Morgan horse is an ideal alternative, eliciting a renewed enthusiasm and joy in the equestrian experience! Athletically and in temperament, the Morgan horse is well suited to the rigors of Dressage. Their willing personality, intelligence, ability to retain training, and inherent physical soundness allows them to excel at performing the required movements.

Dressage is the training and fluid execution of movements under saddle that a horse performs when running free and was developed out of wartime maneuvers requiring instantaneous response for survival. Rider/horse partnerships evolved into the art of refined horsemanship exhibited at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna , the Cadre Noir in France , and further developed into international competition (FEI).

"The aim of this noble and useful art is solely to make horses supple, relaxed, compliant and obedient." De La Gueriniere (1688-1751)

All horses benefit from the physical training of Dressage, as the goals of suppleness, relaxation, compliance, and obedience transcend the disciplines. Competitive Dressage offers the rider/horse team the opportunity to demonstrate their mastery at Introductory and Training levels, the more difficult First through Fourth levels, and the advanced FEI levels of Prix St. Georges, Intermediare I & II, and Grand Prix.

Today, more than 60 registered Morgans have competed successfully in recognized USDF Open Dressage Competitions at third level and higher. Morgans are making an increasing impact on the national Dressage scene as their impulsion, lightness and grace, and their love for the work and their rider is demonstrated.

The American Morgan Horse Association also offers High-Point Open Competition Awards and Morgan Medallion Awards available for Morgans competing, under their registered name, in Open competition against other breeds. This highlights the ability of the Morgan as a serious competitor in Open Dressage venues. Additional information about the Open Competition and Morgan Medallion Awards Programs is available at www.morganhorse.com/benefits/programs_competition.php

American Morgan Horse Association: Recognizing the Dressage Morgan. The American Morgan Horse Association, through the American Morgan Horse Institute, offers two Dressage scholarship awards: An annual $1,000 Van Schaik Scholarship, named for classical Dressage trainer, Dr. H.L.M Van Schaik, and a $2,500 Dressage Achievement Scholarship available for amateurs competing at Grand Prix. For more information and entry forms, Contact AMHI at 802/985-8477.

Within the American Morgan Horse Association, a group of Dressage enthusiasts have organized the Morgan Dressage Association, a National Service Organization of the AMHA. The MDA offers a newsletter, an annual scholarship program for Dressage riders and their Morgans, the annual stallion service sale, end of the year Dressage achievement awards, and sponsors a Morgan class at the famous Dressage at Devon show. Additional information about MDA can be found at their website, www.morganDressage.org. The MDA also has an extensive explanation of the different awards available through AMHA on their website at www.morganDressage.org/awards/ahma.html.

Also see www.usdf.org (United States Dressage Federation).