U of G Dressage Team ‘dances’ with horses

The discipline of dressage is often described as ballet on horseback. 

Considered to be the most artistic equestrian sport, a team of students at the University of Guelph knows well of the special bond between horse and rider as they perform a series of synchronized and precise movements. 

“Dressage is the basis of everything. No matter what discipline you are riding, whether you are jumping, or barrel racing, the basis of how you ride, all stems from dressage,” said University of Guelph Intercollegiate Dressage Association Equestrian Team member Steeley Ellis. 

“For me, being on the team is a way to improve my abilities because I have young horses at home. And this is the first step in teaching them how to be a good riding horse and how to carry themselves properly so they do not injure themselves.”

The University of Guelph Intercollegiate Dressage Association Equestrian Team consists of university students and dressage enthusiasts that represent the University of Guelph on the U.S.-based show circuit known as the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA).

The student-run, self-funded team is made up of students from many different equestrian backgrounds and levels, ranging from introductory division through to first level. 

Riders attend weekly lessons as well as participate in other training events in order to qualify and participate in competitions.

“For me, I have a farm at home in Niagara with about 17 of my own horses. When I came to Guelph, I really just wanted to keep riding. So, I tried out for the hunter jumper team. I also sent in a tryout for the dressage team,” Ellis said. 

“I was actually accepted to the dressage team and not the hunter jumper team. And that was fine by me. I have a lot of show anxiety. I was looking for an easier outlet with friends that encourage me while at shows.” 

The IDA was formed in 1995 as an informal organization that held competitions between local colleges and secondary schools in the northeast of the United States. As the program began to develop, an interest in the association formed.

This led to a more formal organization and wider participation across the U.S. In the spring of 2001, the first regional finals were held. By 2003, the Intercollegiate Dressage Association became an official college/university organization, comprised of schools across the United States and Canada. 

“When we first had the team, we used to show on the IDA circuit based in the U.S. We were one of two schools from Canada, U of G and Western,” Ellis said. 

“When COVID-19 hit and the borders closed, we were not able to go anywhere. But because we still wanted to keep showing, keep that competition frame of mind, and have some fun, we made our own virtual show circuit for students in Ontario. Everybody could ride the test, and submit a video. That way, they could ride their own horses too."

Ellis, 23, has been on the dressage team for the past six years, and served as co-captain for four before handing over the reins just this year.  

“I think a lot of people are afraid of dressage because it seems to be this prim and proper sport, something that might be for the elite. But that’s not the case at all,” she said. 

“Even if you don’t have any background in dressage, or you just want to improve some of your skills, this is a great way, without feeling the pressure of having to jump over obstacles. And there is a little bit less of a risk of falling off.” 

The goal is to maintain a team of eight to 12. 

“Currently, we have a team of 13. We’ve had up to 22, but we went down in numbers because it is a bit easier to manage a smaller group of people,” Ellis said. 

The current team consists of women between the ages of 17 and over 40. 

“Our most recent member, is a mom and a part-time student at the school. We definitely do not discriminate based on age or ability,” Ellis said. 

“And it’s not just for women. Men can try it too. It just so happened that everyone who tried out this year were all women."

 So far this year, Ellis feels the team has been doing really well.

"We competed in our second show, on Dec. 1. The judge is currently scoring those," Ellis said. 

"Last year, we came home with a couple rider championships, so that was great to see."

This year, Ellis said the team hopes to do the same.  

“This is a really great way to meet a ton of people in different programs because not all of us come from an animal background. It's great to have those relationships and to be able to hang out with each other and have events,” she said.

“My previous co-captain, Dianna, she’s one of my best friends now. I met her through this.” 

Tryouts for the 2024/2025 Guelph IDA Team will be held in the form of submitted videos and is open to all University of Guelph students. 

A tryout video should contain the rider riding multiple horses, if possible, and performing movements such as walk, trot (rising and sitting), canter, 20m and 10m circles in trot and canter, leg-yield left and right, and transitions between gaits.  

For more information, visit here.

“I think for somebody considering dressage, it can really help you to improve,” Ellis said. 

“And with your team, you will not feel any stress because we just really want everybody to do their best. It really does feel like home.”