Dressage

Dressage

Dressage „ Not breed specific „ An FEI recognized equestrian sport „

Dressage horses tend to be in their teens as it takes that long to get them working at the international level

„ Horse and rider working together „

To the point of invisible aids

„ Competition vs. Haute Ecole

Haute Ecole „ “High school dressage" or haute ecole includes the

"airs above the ground" „ „ „ „

courbette, capriole, levade, ballotade.

„ Though these movements are said to come from

when the horse was used in war, in their modern form, it is unlikely the airs were used in actual battle, and it is more likely that they were training exercises used off the battlefield. (Wikipedia)

Airs Above the Ground

"Die Coubette"; aus Die Reitkunst im Bilde von Ludwig Koch

"Die Capriole"; aus Die Reitkunst im Bilde von Ludwig Koch

"Die Levade"; aus Die Reitkunst im Bilde von Ludwig Koch

"Die Ballotade"; aus Die Reitkunst im Bilde von Ludwig Koch

Baroque

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Dressage Associations „ United States Dressage Federation (USDF) „ Educational body for the sport in the U.S. „ United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) „ The U.S.A. representative to the FEI „ Rules & Regulations for Dressage in the U.S. „ Federation Equestre International (FEI) „ International governing body for all international equestrian competitions

Dressage Associations

Dressage Competitions „ Competitors ride a set “pattern” or TEST that

features movements representative of the level of dressage at which a horse and rider are competing. The tests are uniform throughout the country „ Tests are rewritten every 3 years „ All tests are performed in an arena of specific dimensions „ Competitors ride one at a time „

The Dressage Arenas

Dressage Letters

„ Nobody knows exactly what the letters are around the dressage

arena. They first appeared during the Olympic Games in the 1920's. Nowadays it is hard to imagine how anyone could remember their dressage test if the letters were not there! Dressage letters are used both to guide the rider and to indicate to dressage judges how much control the rider has over their horse. Perfect dressage movements in a test involve changing transitions when the horse's shoulder is directly opposite a particular letter. Circle exercises are also performed from one letter to another. http://www.limebrook.com

The Dressage Arena

„ The USDF training

pyramid or scale

A dog may be man's best friend, but the horse wrote history. Anonymous

National Levels „ “Intro” „ „ „ „

Introduction to Dressage Tests A & B W/T only Snaffle bridles

„ Training Level „ „ „ „ „

Test 1, 2, 3, & 4 W/T/C (from this point on) Snaffle bridles Posting or sitting trot 20 meter circles

National Levels „ First Level „ „ „ „ „ „ „

Test 1, 2, 3, 4 Snaffle bridles Sitting trot Lengthen trots & canters Leg yield Lateral work 15 meter circles

„ Second Level „ „ „ „ „ „ „ „ „

Test 1, 2, 3, 4 Snaffle bridles Rein back Collected work Simple change of lead Shoulder in Haunches in Counter canter Longer tests

National Levels „ Third Level „ „ „ „ „ „ „

Test 1, 2, 3 Snaffle or double bridles Collected Extension Medium gaits Flying changes Half pass

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National Levels „ Fourth Level „ „ „ „ „ „ „ „

Ultimate USEF level Test 1, 2, 3 Snaffle or double bridle Collected Extension Medium gaits Sequenced flying changes Canter pirouette

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USDF Region Map

FEI Levels „ Prix St. Georges „ Intermediare I „ Intermediare II „ Grand Prix „ „

Anky van Grunsven & Keltec Salinero

Ultimate Competition Level Grand Prix Special

Dressage: Attire

Basic Dressage Outfit Dress boots or field boots are acceptable with dress boots preferred. Spurs are required at upper levels, and optional at all others. Whips are often carried during lower level tests.

Basic Dressage Outfit „ Dressage coat in

conservative dark colors, black is preferred. Dressage coats typically have four metal buttons. „ Breeches should be

light colored (white preferred)

Dressage Basic Outfit „ Upper levels, wear

a Shadbelly and tail coat. „ Gloves should be worn with white being standard as soon as the rider is ready to have their hands on display.

Dressage Basic Outfit „ Gloves should be worn with

white being standard as soon as the rider is ready to have their hands on display.

Other Uses of the Shadbelly Outside of Dressage

„ In formal Hunter classes

Other Uses of the Shadbelly Outside of Dressage „ Used as formal

wear for Hunter Pleasure or Show Hack Championships for „ Morgans, „ Arabians „ Pinto

Basic Dressage Outfit „ The shirt worn under

the dressage coat has a stock tie. It can be pre-tied or tied by hand. A stock tie should never be tied incorrectly. Shirt should be of conservative color.

Basic Dressage Outfit „ Hunt caps are worn in lower levels, while top

hats and derbies are appropriate at all levels.

Grooming of the Dressage Horse „ Horse should be

clean, well groomed showing good health and vitality. „ A poor grooming job

will detract from the horse’s overall performance and presentation.

Manes and Tails „ Manes are braided as

are the hunter’s, but often with larger braids. „

Button braids are also used.

At left: Leslie Morse

Manes and Tails „ Taped braids

were very common at one time. „ The white tape draws your eye to the horses crest and topline. „

Belucci 1983-2006 (Bolero x Grande).

Taped braids are not seen as often any more.

Manes and Tails „ Manes should be pulled to

be able to braid effectively.

Manes and Tails „ Tails are washed and brushed and usually

banged off at the bottom (straight cut)

Manes and Tails „ Tails may be pulled or thinned out at the top

to enhance the overall appearance.

At Right: Steffen Peters and Floriano

Dressage Equipment „ Dressage saddles

have a straighter skirt/flap and a deeper seat than a hunt saddle. „ They can be black

or brown with black preferred.

Dressage Equipment „ Bridles vary with the

level of test performed. A snaffle is required until 3rd and 4th levels, were a full bridle can be used. A full bridle is used on upper level „ Bridles may have

padded browbands, cavesons, and bridle numbers for competition are standard.

Dressage Equipment „ Flash nosebands are

permitted with snaffle bits in lower level tests. „ Bridles should match the saddle. „ Square saddle pads are standard (white and quilted).

The Complete Dressage Rider