by Sheri Spencer

Created on: August 04, 2008   Last Updated: August 11, 2008

Despite the glamour and prestige of the Grand Prix dressage riders and their million-dollar mounts, dressage can be as accessible as a backyard pony and a second-hand saddle.

Dressage isn't about the flawless black leather saddle and perfectly collected and trained horse, dressage is training. Literally. Anyone can learn it in any tack on any horse. The mission is harmony, athleticism, and helping to achieve you and your horse's potential. Though the term "dressage" has been labeled and associated with flatwork in the strictly measured arena, marked with letters and observed by judges, the pursuit of it is not nearly as complicated. No matter what your ambitions are as a rider, learning dressage will make you a more effective rider.

If you already have a horse, perhaps your trail horse or hunter/jumper prospect, and want to learn dressage to improve your communication, the cost of new tack does NOT need to intimidate you. Trainers who are serious about and respect the art of dressage won't judge you or your horse by your tack. Of course tack that fits you both is of utmost importance, it doesn't have to be shiny and black for you to learn dressage. There may be some light-hearted banter if you show up for a dressage lesson in a western saddle on an old stock quarter horse or appaloosa, but laugh along with it. You are there to learn dressage. If you want to get serious about it and aspire to compete, you can get the "dressage" tack later. To start, all you need is an open mind and a dance partner.

But if the budget is tight, chances are you don't have a horse of your own. Don't feel like you need to buy one, either! Owning a horse is an expensive responsibility and unless you are experienced, it will be unnecessarily expensive to afford the extra training, board, lessons, vet, farrier and the list goes on.

If your ambition is simply to learn dressage, your quest could begin as easily as simply going online. Go to any search provider and look for dressage riding stables in your area. If the information isn't already provided on the website, contact the owners, coaches or trainers and find out if they offer lessons, and if so, whether they provide horses for riders of your level. Be honest about your skill level.

Don't forget that the "internet age" is still new to many people, and not all riding stables have websites. Visit a tack or feed store and speak with the owners about any dressage stables, or even areas that you could drive through where you might find a

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