Northern Colorado Dressage Association

What is Dressage?

The word “dressage” is derived from a French

word that means training. Dressage is not only a

method of training horses, but it is also a competitive

equestrian sport. Most notably, dressage is

one of the three equestrian events held at the

Olympic games.

Dressage traces its roots back to the writings of

the Greek General Xenophon (400 B.C.) and was

further developed by the royal courts of Europe in

the 17th and 18th century. The most familiar

classical riding school is the Spanish Riding

School in Vienna, Austria, home of the beloved white

Lipizzaner stallions.

Dressage uses gymnastic exercises to develop the

horse’s physique and natural gaits. Executed correctly,

the exercises help the horse to become more

balanced, supple and powerful. The gradual, logical

progression of the training results in an obedient

horse who responds to subtle cues from the riders

seat, legs and hands. The properly schooled horse

and rider present a picture of elegance and grace.

They work in harmony to achieve lightness and brilliance.

Competitive Dressage

Dressage competitors perform a “test” individually in a 20x60 meter arena. The test is composed of a specific pattern of movements and figures designed to measure certain levels of proficiency. The test is viewed by one or more judges who score the horse and rider for their technical merit and test accuracy.

The tests are divided into levels that increase in difficulty as the horse and rider become more accomplished.

Riders compete against others who are entered in their same level of difficulty.

The tests are divided into levels that increase in difficulty as the horse and rider become more accomplished.

Riders compete against others who are entered in their same level of difficulty.

Training Level: requires basic obedience at the walk, trot and canter, figures are large (20 m)

First Level: 15 and 10 m circles, lengthening of stride, serpentines, leg-yield and counter-canter

Second Level: Medium gaits, collected gaits, shoulder-in, reinback, walk-canter transitions, countercanter,

half-turn on the haunches at walk

Third Level: Serpentine at canter, extended gaits, flying change of lead, half-pass at trot and canter

Fourth Level: Flying changes of lead every 4 and 3 strides, canter half-pirouettes, trot zigzag half-pass

F.E.I (International) (Prix St. Georges, Intermediare I & II, Grand Prix): Flying changes of lead every 2 and 1 strides, piaffe, passage, full canter pirouettes