All you need to know about dressage in the Olympics

The reigning Olympic dressage champion is British rider Charlotte Dujardin, having won individual gold riding Valegro at the 2012 London Olympics and 2016 Rio Olympics. 

The Olympics are coming and we are getting hyped to see the top riders engage in a clash of titans. However, you might have many questions regarding who the top riders are and what Dressage is like during the Games. 

Who are the world’s best dressage riders?

As we have mentioned, the reigning champion is British dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin. After her triumph at London 2012, she earned the nickname of ‘The Girl on the Dancing Horse’. However, Rio was the last competition for her horse gelding Valegro, who has now retired. 

Dujardin has been unable to repeat the success so far with her new mare Mount St John Freestyle. Despite the mare growing with experience, German rider Isabell Werth is a huge threat in these Olympic Games. 

Germany is the most successful nation in Olympic equestrian history by a big margin: they have won a total of 25 golds, 13 silver and 14 bronze olympic medals. Isabell Werth has recently overtaken the dressage legend Reiner Klimke as the most successful rider in equestrian Olympic history with 10 medals (six gold, four silver) at five Games. 

She has claimed her ninth world title at the 2018 World Equestrian Games and took the European Dressage Championships gold medal in Rotterdam 2019. These have been with her mare Bella Rose although she also has won the last three World Cup Finals with Weihegold OLD. 

You will find useful: Find out the schedule, venue and format in these upcoming Olympics. 

What is the highest score given?

We will likely see a battle for gold between Dujardin and Werth in the Tokyo Olympics. It will be a hard match as Charlotte Dujardin holds the record for the highest score ever given in dressage. 

94.3% was awarded to Charlotte and Valegro for their grand prix freestyle performance in Olympia, London, December 2014. Moreover, they hold the record for the standard grand prix test (87.46%) and the grand prix special (88.022%). 

What is dressage? 

Dressage is one of the three Olympic equestrian sports and a FEI recognized discipline. The sport takes place at different levels, judges have different rankings and the sport involves showing off the horse’s training by performing prescribed movements in front of the judges. 

It comes from the French word “dresseur” that means training. There are 38 set movements in this equestrian sport that the horse has to execute with precision but also the rider has to notify through the subtle use of reins and leg pressure. 

You will find interesting: Knowing your C’s in dressage.

Is dressage difficult? 

As all Olympic disciplines, dressage training requires many years before a horse and rider reach the grand prix level. Athletes compete in local, national and international events before qualifying for the Olympic Games. 

During a performance, rider and horse have to execute certain movements depending on the level they are competing at. These are then scored out of 10 by a number of judges. In the case of the Olympics, there can be up to 7 judges during the competition. These are seated at different positions to ensure they see all the movements of the horse. 

Then, the total marks are converted into a percentage score for the combination. The higher the result, the better the rider's performance. 

Is dressage cruel? 

Done well, it is not cruel. Dressage competitions demonstrate the harmony and trust the rider and the horse have built. This is achieved with gentle training, building a loving connection with horses. 

There are, sadly, people who use training methods that are not allowed and endanger the horse welfare. These are punished by the FEI who have prohibited behaviours that could impact negatively on our equine partners. 

Is dressage harder than show jumping? 

All equestrian sports require years of training and fitness as well as balance, timing and intuition. Athletes need to know about their horses inside out and the horse needs to feel the bond with the rider. 

This is why it is difficult to compare both equestrian sports. Dressage demands a high degree of core strength and body control as well as attention to detail. Show jumping demands perfect timing and overall athletic physique. 

However, all equestrian disciplines have evolved from elements of dressage to a certain degree.