The competitive sport dressage involves which domesticated animal?

Dressage is a form of horse riding that shows off the horse and rider's training. Competitors are required to perform from memory a series of predetermined moves. The performance is assessed by judges, who rate each movement from zero to ten, where zero means 'not executed; and 10 means 'excellent'. The name of the sport comes from the French term 'dressage', which translates as 'training'.

At international levels, dressage competitions are governed by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports. Judges are on the lookout for perfectly executed movements, such as a 'piaffe' (trotting on the spot), a 'pirouette' (a 360-degree turn), a 'half-pass' (travelling diagonally across the field) and 'extended gaits' (trotting or cantering in long strides).

Similar events to dressage were recorded by the Greek general Xenophon (427–355 BC), although the modern style of dressage did not develop until the 16th century. Rules have become stricter over time, focusing on the horse and rider's appearance as well as their technique. Horses must be well presented and have their manes braided, and riders must wear breeches, a shirt, stock tie, dress boots, a coat and gloves. Riders with long hair must wear it up in a bun.

Dressage has been featured in the Olympic games since 1912 and can be entered by both male and female riders. Notable winners are Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (2020), Charlotte Dujardin (2012, 2016) and Anky van Grunsven (2000, 2004, 2008).