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Dressage 101. What is Dressage All About?. Dressage is a French word for Training. It is the basis of all training and can help any horse and rider from any discipline become better in his/her discipline.
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What is Dressage All About? • Dressage is a French word for Training. • It is the basis of all training and can help any horse and rider from any discipline become better in his/her discipline. • Dressage has different levels which range from the Introductory level which is for when you first start, to Grand Prix, which is for the very advance riders.
Arena Layout • The standard Dressage Arena is 20x40m and the large Arena is 20x60m. • Intro Level – Training Level tests are done in a standard arena and generally 1st level and up tests are completed in a larger arena. • The arena is laid out with letters all the way around it in order to direct the rider when and where to go and make the different moves.
The Levels • Intro Level • Training Level • 1st Level • 2nd Level • 3rd Level • 4th Level • Prix St. George • Intermediare I • Intermediare II • Grand Prix • Each Level has 3 tests.
In Dressage as a beginner, you are expected to wear… • light colored breeches • Black gloves • Tall boots (dress or field) or black paddock boots with black half chaps • Dressage Shirt (it looks like a polo, but zips up around the neck) • Black belt if no jacket • Jacket of a conservative color, with Dressage Tie & Pin (optional, at schooling shows)
More Advance Riders are Expected to Wear… • White gloves • White breeches • Black fitted dressage coat • Dress Boots • Dressage Shirt • Dressage Tie & Pin
What’s Expected? • Each Level and test has different moves and different expectations. • The higher the level the more is expected of the horse and rider. • You are judged on your equitation, use of aids, communication with your horse, if you keep your horse forward, how well the moves are completed, if your horse keeps a constant rhythm, and how you handle different situations.
What's Expected… • Intro (Test A &Test B) • Walk &Trot, 20m circles • Free Walk • Contact, no loose reins • Stay on course • Use of Corners • They are in Control • Forward • Equitation (your body position) • Intro B adds 20m canter circles
What’s Expected… • Training (Test 1-4) • Walk, Trot, Canter, 20m Circles • On the Bit • Plus all of Intro Level, but better