I hear what You are Saying Dawn, however i think this may put into perspective
The history of dressage dates back to a period of more than two thousand years. The object of dressage is the harmonious development of physical ability of the horse, resulting in a calm, supple, flexible animal, both longitudinally and laterally. The horse should be confident and in perfect understanding of his rider.
All work in dressage should be free, light, aesthetically beautiful to the observer, and the horse should remain on the bit. The ancient Greeks were the first to practice dressage in preparation