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Spanish Equestrian Culture

Doma Clasica - Classical

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Mythos Home

Classical equitation or "Doma Clasica" is an equestrian art form,

where horse and rider work in harmony.

 

Baroque horses are used for classical dressage. Their ancient roots can be traced back to the Iberian Peninsula; modern day Spain, Portugal, Andorra and Gibraltar.

 

The Baroque horse group consists of the Andalusian, Lusitano and the famed Lippizan.

 

The group named "Baroque" is taken from the extravagant baroque style of art and architecture.

 

The baroque group of horses have an amazing floaty elevated action; they are intelligent horses with majestic looks and an exceptionally trainable nature.

Classical riding

is the art of riding

in harmony

with the horse, without force,

but in lightness

of the aids

(legs, seat and hands).

The earliest surviving work on many of the principles of classical dressage was Xenophon's On Horsemanship (Xenophon) written c. 350 BC. It is perhaps one of the first treatises on horsemanship in the Western world.... Xenophon emphasized training the horse through kindness and reward.

In the 15th century, brute force training largely came to an end while artistry in riding was once again coming into its own. Along with these developments came indoor riding.

 

In the traditional view, the Renaissance gives rise to a new and enlightened approach to riding as a part of the general cultivation of the arts.

 

By the Victorian age indoor riding had become a sophisticated art, with both rider and horse spending many years perfecting their form.