Is Equestrian Dressage a Real Sport? Hot30 Countdown 12 August, 2008 - 3:19 PM

Yes, we might sometimes push the boundaries a little too far here at the Hot30 and get people fired up.

But who would've thought that we'd anger the horseriding community.

Have a listen to our little rant:

Check out the angry emails and online comments.

this is a message about you saying dressage should be more "exiting" and that the horse does everything well i would like to see you ride a horse not only do you have tell the horse what to do you have to hold yourself up pay attention to the horse concentrate all the time because at any time you could put you your horse and anybody around you in danger, so when you get on a horse and can do an extended trot or flying change then you can say it's not hard work. - Samantha, via email

ohhh this sort of attitude angers me so much!! And there is just no way to explain it to non-horsey people. I have arguments about this all the time with people, some of whom actually think they know how to ride because they've been on a few plodding trail rides! In that case, yes, generally the 'rider' DOESN'T do anything...but in real riding we do so much and there's no way of making people understand this. My friends even ask why I have lessons, don't I know how to ride already?! I get sooooo frustrated!!! - teal, online

Now now fellow stockies, I share your anger but lets be careful. If this does get to air, we dont want to look ehem....neurotic! Lets challenge them in good humour. After all, those who dont understand deserve only our sympathy....to not know the feeling of riding a beautiful animal and performing intricate movements, really is sad. They are the ones missing out. - Naomi, online

i have heard about the comment you have made about the olympic horse riding team and i think you guys should try and do some of the dressage movents like a half pass and then you will see how hard it is then you should try and jump 1m 60cm with out coming off soo stop saying things you dont know is true. and i think you will be getting a lot more emails from people who will say the same thing. - gracie_my_girl, online

So, that's where things currently stand.

Do you agree with us, or are you with the horse riders? Pick a side.

(126) »

• Jess says

  Hey just a message to the Hot 30 - come on boyo I've told you before what riding is like, serves you right for speaking without thinking. Can't wait to see how you manage the challenge.

  I'm a rider and I think you've bitten off more than you can chew with this one :)

  http://www.schrar.org

  Posted Tuesday 12 August, 2008 4:12 PM
• Wendy says

  You both sound like bloody idiots! If anything riding is more difficult than most of the other sports because you have to be in control of both yourself and the horse-either one of you can have a bad day and it all goes down the toilet!! Easily the most stupid comments I've heard on the radio and thats saying something!!!

  Posted Tuesday 12 August, 2008 4:14 PM
• janine says

  I am so with the riders on this one :( Maybe you should be a little more informed before you start dishing dirt. The riders at the Olympics spend years of their lives rtaining to be at the peak of their field. It is a lot more demanding than a lot of other sports.

  Posted Tuesday 12 August, 2008 4:16 PM
• b52 says

  and do us horse riders think that FENCING aka playing around with some sticks is a SPORT that requires great skill or athletism? do we think table tennis aka a backyard game is a SPORT? I would like to see EVERYONE who said horse riding is NOT a sport, get on those olympic horses, pull off gold medal, the moves and STAY on the horse whilst galloping through the cross country course, and see how easy it is. Horse riding is THAT easy, that the riders are extremely fit from it, have massive leg and shoulder muscles from it, and hold back a 600 - 800kg horse. YEP real easy!

  Posted Tuesday 12 August, 2008 4:37 PM
• cait says

  haha all i can say is game on.

  im with the riders.

  Posted Tuesday 12 August, 2008 5:05 PM
• megs says

  AHAHA good luck on your ride. you are going to learn a great lesson LOL. Dressarge is bloody hard

  Posted Tuesday 12 August, 2008 5:28 PM
• Lee says

  mate I recommend being male that you were two pairs of undies to keep the boys safe

  I hope you enjoy the ride if the riders manage to find a horse for you.

  hehhee boy are you going to be sore the next day ehhehehe

  Posted Tuesday 12 August, 2008 5:34 PM
• amber says

  im with u on this its not really a sport but somepeople do look at it as a sport but it really isnt..

  Posted Tuesday 12 August, 2008 5:36 PM
• Lola says

  THAT SPORT IS BULL
  i watch a bit of it and was waiting for like a monkey to jump into the arena!
  the horse deserves the medal
  the rider shouldnt get anything, all they did was sit on it fools!

  Posted Tuesday 12 August, 2008 5:36 PM
• Kennii Hadler says

  I actually i agree with that horse dressing whatever the hell it is. One i think it is stupid. plus nothing elegant about a house trotting or galloping around in circles. The horse does most of the work anyway. What does the trainer do "smile and collect the gold medal.

  Posted Tuesday 12 August, 2008 5:37 PM

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