Heather Rocca's Dressage Students
Dressage is a French term which translates to "training". Dressage is competitive horse training with competitions held at all levels from amateur to the Olympics. It's fundamental purpose is to develop a horse's natural athletic ability and willingness to perform, through standardized progressive training methods thereby maximizing it's potential as a riding horse. At the peak of a dressage horse's gymnastic development, it can smoothly respond to a skilled rider's minimal aids by performing the requested movement while remaining relaxed and appearing effortless. Dressage is occasionally referred to as "Horse Ballet". Although the discipline has ancient roots, dressage was first recognized as an important equestrian pursuit in the West during the Renaissance. The great European riding masters of that period developed a sequential training system that has changed little since then and classical dressage is still considered the basis of trained modern dressage.
Classical Dressage evolved from cavalry movements and training for the battlefield and has since developed into the competitive dressage seen today. Classical riding is the art of riding in harmony with, rather than against, the horse. Correct classical riding only occurs when the rider has a good seat and a correct and well-balanced body position, moves with the horse's motion, and gives and times the aids correctly.
Kim riding "Asher"
A Nine year old "off the track" Thoroughbred.
 Sherrie riding "Asher"A Nine year old "off the track'' Thoroughbred. |  Sherrie riding "Pip"A Six year old Paint/Thoroughbred cross. |
Sherrie showing "Pippin"
 Heather showing "Pippin" |  Kim showing "Asher" |
 Kim showing "Asher"
|  Sherrie showing "Pippin" |
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