Dressage

The fundamental purpose of Dressage (a French term meaning "training") is to develop, through standardized progressive training methods, a horse's natural athletic ability and willingness to perform, thereby maximizing its potential as a riding horse. Although the discipline has its roots in classical Greek horsemanship, dressage was first recognized as an important equestrian pursuit during the Renaissance in western Europe. The great European riding masters of that period developed a sequential training system that has changed little since then and is still considered the basis of modern dressage.

Levels of Dressage

The levels of dressage are progressive, building on the training of the horse. They emphasize the training scale and the qualities needed by the horse as it works its way up. So a horse at the lowest level of dressage would not be judged on its collection (a more advanced concept), but most marks would be judging that the basics are solid: the horse has impulsion, is moving forward, starting to come up through its back, and is accepting the rider's aids.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Later tests will ask that the horse be supple, asking for movements such as shoulder-in, haunches-in, and half-pass. The horse will also be asked to lengthen the walk, trot, and canter, preparing it for the move advanced movements of extended trot (which requires more impulsion than lengthened trot). The tests are designed to build upon each other. If short-cuts are take at the lower levels (for example, the horse is being forced into a frame with its head pulled into the vertical position, rather than correctly ridden up through its back into the bridle), the errors in training will become readily apparent in the upper levels.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the United States, dressage is governed by the United States Dressage Federation. The levels of dressage proceed as follows:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Introductory: designed to introduce novice horses and riders to the sport of dressage. Free-walk is expected.
• Training: developing the purity of the gaits is of upmost importance, horse should move freely-forward, accept contact with the bit, and remain supple. Horse must reach down for the contact at the trot on 20-meter circles.
• First: Horse should develop thrust (pushing power), and have developed a degree of balance and throughness. Trot lengthenings are introduced, as are changes of lead through the trot, leg-yield, and 15-meter circles.
• Second: Horse is asked to carry more weight on the hindquarters (develop collection), medium paces are developed (trot). Horse is expected to have a greater degree of straightness, bending, suppleness, and throughness, as well as self-carriage. Counter-canter is introduced, as is shoulder-in, haunches-in, turn on the haunches, and the rein-back. 10-meter circles.
• Third: Horse should have consistent rhythm, suppleness, throughness, impulsion, straightness, and collection in each movement, while remaining on the bit and accepting of the aids. Introduces the half-pass at the trot and canter, single flying changes, and collected and extended paces are developed.
• Fourth: Horse must have a high degree of suppleness, impulsion, throughness, balance, and lightness. He should always remain on-the-bit. Transitions should be smooth and precise, movements should be straight and energetic with great cadence. Introduces 8-meter circles, counterchange of hands in half-pass (zig-zags), three-tempi changes. Full walk pirouettes, and quarter and half pirouettes at the canter.

And the FEI tests:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• PSG (Prix Saint George): Of "medium" standard.
• I-1 and I-2 (Intermediate 1 and 2): Fairly advanced, both are used as a stepping stone to help the horse reach the Grand Prix level. I-2 is more advanced than I-1, preparing the horse for Grand Prix, and introduces piaffe, passage and one- and two-tempi changes.
• Grand Prix: The highest level of dressage, requiring a very advanced horse.

In Britain, the tests are as such:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Preliminary- walk/trot
• Novice- similar to first level USDF tests
• Elementary- similar to second level USDF tests
• Medium- similar to third level USDF tests
• Advanced- similar to fourth level USDF tests