The National Dressage Competition of 2009 organized by the Sri Lanka Equestrian Association (SLEA) and Premadasa Riding School will take place today (February 21) at the Premadasa Riding School at Melder Place, Nugegoda.

Dressage training teaches the athletic horse to use his body effectively and is an international basic standard for all horses before they go into specified equestrian sports such as show jumping and eventing.

At today’s competition riders from the ages of 7 upwards will participate in four categories of Under 12s (Group A), Young Riders onhorses (Group B),Young Riders at Preliminary level (Group C) and adults at Preliminary Level (Group D).

Technical advisor to SLEA, Colonel Sarpatap Singh will be the chief judge at this event. This competition is the year’s culmination of the efforts of the SLEA to improve dressage through holding a series of competitions. It is a goal of SLEA to guide Sri Lankan riders to step into the international arena in events such as dressage, endurance and show jumping.