It was another busy weekend at the Northern Tempo Equestrian Centre. The previous weekend, equestrians competed in the Yukon Championship Horse Show, which featured gymkhana, hunter and jumper classes, amongst others.

This past weekend was the Dressage Show where riders and dressage horses performed a series of compulsory movements at the walk, trot, and canter in a pre-set pattern.

Dressage derives from the French word ‘training’ and is often considered the highest expression of horse training, explained Bonnie Dixon’s email.

It can also be linked back to ancient Greece when it was a method to train war horses.

Today, Dixons email outlined, the sport of dressage is designed to improve a horse’s balance, suppleness and flexibility, as well as improve the communication between horse and rider.

Dressage is one of three equestrian disciplines held at the Olympics.

The rectangular dressage arena at the Northern Tempo Equestrian Centre had cones around the perimeter marked with a letter. The A cone was at the top of the arena and is where the horse and rider would enter and exit.

When the horse and rider entered the arena they walked from A to the centre where they stopped and saluted the judges.

The younger riders had their coach calling instructions to them from the edge. The directions included whether the horse should be trotting, walking or cantering, as well the riders were told where to go.

Where to go was indicated by the letter cones and riders would demonstrate their control of the horse between each letter.

The older, more experienced riders performed the tests from memory. Only the hooves on dirt and the breathing of the horse could be heard.

Introductory Level - Junior was won by Alia Krueger competing with Lulu. Introductory Level - Open went to Dixon and Feather.

Training Level - Junior champion went to both Amelia Frey and McDuff and Olivia Barker riding Wilson. Reserve champion was Marina Boulerice and Jay.

Training Level - Open was taken by Lacia Kinnear and Diamonds Are Forever. Jauna Doland and Well To Do were named reserve champion.

First Level - Open was won by Spencer Sumanik and Ivan.

The champion for Western Style Dressage High Score was Brianne Warner and Diva.

Western riding is a style which evolved from ranching traditions brought to the Americas.

In Western Dressage there is no definition on what a horse should look like. It is used to improve the horse you ride Western. It is not based on breed or type.

The horses used in the Dressage Show were different sizes and different colours - all of them beautiful.