Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art: Andalusian Horse Show

How the Andalusian Horses Dance is an equestrian ballet with classical Spanish music and costumes inspired by the 18th century. The show has been choreographed using movements based upon Classical Dressage, Doma Vaquera (country-style riding) and traditional equestrian chores. Each show consists of between six and eight different choreographies

Doma Vaquera demonstrates the Spanish riding discipline based on traditional cattle herding. The horseman rides his horse around the arena using only one hand, first trotting and later galloping: Changing the rhythm and then performing pirouettes and arreones (breaking into a gallop).

In Classical Dressage horses carry out advanced equestrian exercises to pieces of classical music that accompany them while they perform in the arena.

During the Carriage Driving element of the show, horses and coachmen show off the dexterity necessary to make a horse-drawn carriage work well. While the Work in Hand section showcases the fact their doesn’t need to be a physical connection between horse and human for them to carry out exercises. Watch as classical Haute École dressage exercises such as levades, caprioles, courbettes, piaffe (between pillars), the Spanish walk and long reins are performed.

Finally, in Carousel, a group of horses and riders perform advanced equestrian exercises in unison, providing a fitting end to the performance.