How Do Horses Communicate?

Dressage is a french word which is interpreted as ‘training’. It is considered widely as the most artistic and elegant of equestrian sports. This sport requires a rider and horse to be in perfect harmony together whilst performing. Dressage riders and horses perform ‘tests’ that consist of a course of movements and are judged on a scale of one to ten on these.

Dressage is seen to be the foundation for mostly all equestrian disciplines. Due to the precision required in the movements, the rider and horse need to be balanced and aware down to the most subtle aids.

Dressage Levels 

There are ten different levels of dressage. These range from very basic skills up the highest levels which require literal perfection and years of training to master. Each level until the sixth has three tests of which the rider can choose.

Scoring 

For the first four levels of dressage there is only one judge for tests. Judges score movements on a scale of one up to ten. Competitors and their horses are scored on collective marks and the score for each movement is added together to come up with a final number of points. After this the number of points is divided by the highest number of points achievable and multiplied by ten to create a final percentage score.

Dress Code 

Dressage riders are required to wear formal clothing in tests. The dress code for all tests up to the fourth level is a short riding coat of conservative colour with a tie, choker, stock tie or integrated stand-up collar, light coloured breeches, boots, and protective headgear. There are more specific rules relating to certain levels.

Horse Type 

Generally expensive breeds of warmbloods are used for dressage. Warmbloods are extremely talented horses with nearly all breeds having foundations in European countries. Whist these horses are beautiful and athletic you do not have to have a warmblood horse if you wish to compete in dressage.

We spent the vast majority of our time inside buildings, but we often overlook just how much the affect us. Children can be particularly susceptible to changes in buildings when they’re learning and developing.

So how exactly does a building affect a child’s learning ability?

Colours –

Certain colours are more suitable for learning than others, and allow students to get the most from their experiences.

Brighter colours have a positive impact on pre-teen childrens’ learning, while more subtle, subdued colours are better for teenagers.

Temperature and airflow –

These were found to be the two most important influences on student achievement. Temperatures that are too high can cause kids to slow down, whilst stuffy air has the same effect. The simplest way to improve your students’ learning? Open a window.

Noise pollution –

School are usually designed to reduce the amount of noise interference from nearby. Rooms are closed-off and students are encouraged to be quiet. This is for good reason; noise from nearby makes it much harder for students to process what they are learning.

Room to move –

Buildings change learning by changing the behaviour of the people in them. A great way to keep the brain active is to move around every now and then. Large buildings with open spaces that students are encouraged to move through can ensure that students keep fresh, active minds and retain what they learn.

Large rooms –

Another benefits of large rooms is that they encourage creative, out-of-the-box thinking. Being stuck in a small space limits your ability to create fresh ideas.

Natural light –

Natural light works wonders in improving productivity. Studies consistently show that sunlight makes people happier, more active and more productive, whether they’re working or studying.

Transparency –

Areas that have low rates of school graduation benefit from transparent windows. Allowing people in the community to see into the resources and activities of the school encourage enrolment and makes children value their educational experience more.

To see some of our school buildings, download the brochure here.