sustainabledressage

The choice to lease or own a horse is one that many competitors must make thoughtfully and with care. There are many advantages and disadvantages to both options, and the decision will depend on many factors including competition status. Dressage is a very intricate equestrian discipline, and requires a strong relationship and training regimen between the horse and its rider.
Leasing a horse can be useful for novice competitors, and for those who are interested in learning the basics of dressage. Because dressage requires intricate work and training, riders must develop a strong relationship with the horse in order to perform to a high standard. Competition dressage includes many tiers of performance, from very basic tests of gait and movement to more challenging tests. Horses that perform at higher levels of dressage are usually highly bred and raised.
At the lower levels of competition, leasing a horse can be a good option. When leasing a horse, it is important to ensure that the horse can be shown and that it will be regularly available for training and performances. In more prestigious competitions, however, horse ownership may be required. For this reason, those who are interested in upper level dressage competition will need to own the horse they are showing.
Choosing to lease or own a horse is a decision that is contingent on many factors. For beginning competitors, leasing a horse might be the best option, as there will be significantly less responsibility and more freedom for the rider. For those interested in more prominent competitions, owning a horse would be necessary and far more beneficial.