Dressage Test
Riding A Dressage Test

Dressage Test - Dressage Video
Here is an example of a dressage test that was performed at Longleat House, Wiltshire during an eventing competition. The test in question is of Intermediate standard so has a variety of different movements being asked throughout the test.

As with any dressage test regardless if it is for pure dressage or as part of a one day event you must always wait until the judge signals that you may enter the arena before starting your test. Once you have been given the signal to start, which in this case it was a hoot from the car you have 45 seconds to enter and begin the test that you are doing.

Enter at A, over X halt and salute, proceed in working trot to C and track left.
- All dressage tests enter from the A end of the arena and proceed straight down the center line.
- In this case the rider has to halt and salute over X, the halt is square and straight and the horse then attentively proceeds forwards in a good even working trot rhythm to C.
C, M, B working trot, B track right and at X ride a 10 m circle to the right.
- The horse must remain balanced and take even steps, a good inside bend should be shown during the turn at E followed by the horse straightening up prior to the circle which begins at X. From here the horse must remain in rhythm and balance throughout the 10 m circle with a soft inside bend to the right.
- The horse maintains good rhythmic steps and a soft inside bend throughout the circle.
Over X 10 m circle to the left, and at E track left.
- A second circle must be ridden again maintaining rhythm, balance and suppleness throughout with the new inside bend to the left. Upon reaching X the horse should straighten up before tracking left at B.
- The horse makes a smooth change of bend over X and maintains the new bend and circle size to the left before continuing on towards E.
E, K, A, F working trot
- Here working trot should be maintained making good use of the corners of the arena.
- The horse remains relaxed and balanced and keeps an even rhythm and tempo.
F, B, M shoulder in.
- Between these markers the horse should perform shoulder in and maintain a good rhythm during the steps which should be on three tracks with the horse nicely bent around the riders inside leg.
- In this case the horse slightly drifts in to begin with but then holds the shoulder in on that line before returning to the track.
H, C, H working trot
- The horse should remain in working trot making good use of the arena corners, whilst maintaining rhythm and balance.
- The horse maintains its even tempo and rhythm and goes nicely into the corner of the arena whilst remaining attentively on the bit.
H, X, F Medium trot
- The horse should gradually produce several strides of medium trot moderately increasing the length of the strides without hurrying, before progressing forwards to working trot just before F.
- Here the horse starts to slightly hurry his strides, although does remain straight across the diagonal.
F, A, K working trot
- Working trot should be maintained between these markers.
- The horse quickly returns to working trot after his hurried medium trot and settles back into a rhythm.
K, E, H shoulder in.
- The horse should now show right shoulder in between these markers.
- Unlike on the opposite rein the horse manages to remain in the track during the steps which clearly show the horse on three tracks as required, towards the last few strides of the shoulder in the horse does slightly over bend towards the finish.
H, C, M working trot
- The horse should again maintain quality even steps.
- The horse slightly loses energy after the shoulder in but quickly regains impulsion before M.

M, X, K extended trot
- Here the horse should progress into extended trot across the diagonal, opening out his stride to full capacity.
- The horse manages to lengthen out both his frame and his strides whilst maintaining a good even rhythm and impulsion from behind.
K, A working trot
- The horse should remain relaxed and proceed in working trot.
- After the lengthened strides the horse is a little tense in the working trot and then anticipates a canter transition by breaking early.
Between A and M working canter left.
- The horse should perform an upward canter transition and continue on in working canter.
- The horse slightly rushes into the transition but quickly settles into working canter.
B circle left 20 meters
- The horse should remain balanced and retain a the inside bend to the left.
- Here the horse maintains a good size circle , rhythm and bend.
M,C, H working canter
- The horse should continue in working canter around the arena.
- The horse becomes a little bit tense in the corner and as he passes the judges car.
H, X, F change the rein with simple change through walk.
- The horse has to maintain a straight line across the diagonal and ride a transition from left canter to walk over the marker X and then proceed forward to right lead canter and on to the marker F.
- Here the horse makes a good accurate transition downwards but becomes tense and looses engagement during the upward transition, although the canter lead is correct and he does hold the line straight towards the marker F.
F, A, K, E working canter
- Working canter should be maintained.
- The horse maintains a good working canter rhythm although there is some head tilting, especially around the marker K.
E 20 meter circle in medium canter.
- The horse should open its stride into medium canter and remain in balance.
- Here the horse maintains the bend of the circle and shows some medium canter.
E, H, C working canter
- The horse should return to working canter and maintain a good even rhythm whilst making use of the edge of the arena.
- The horse makes a good transition to working canter although looses some impulsion in the corner.
C to M Walk
- Over the marker C a transition forwards to walk is performed. The horse makes a fairly good transition to walk and proceeds actively on to M.
M, E, K medium walk
- The horse should moderately increase the length of the walk, while walking out energetically and with purpose.
- Here the horse is moderately lengthening with the rhythm a little disrupted in places.
K to A working Trot
- The horse should maintain a good rhythm and tempo with active steps, whilst remaining on the bit. Here the horse is relaxed and working nicely, he makes good use of the corner and maintains the working trot.
A down the centre line, X halt and salute
- The turn at A should place the horse and rider directly on the centre line and the halt at X should be straight and square.
- Here the horse makes a very accurate turn onto the centre line and keeps his line towards X. The halt is straight and square and the horse remains attentive while the rider salutes and tries to stop herself from grinning too much.
Leave the arena on a free walk on a long rein
- At the end of the test you should allow your horse a long rein and leave the arena at the A end.
- The horse is very relaxed and happy to stretch down after completing his dressage test, as a seasoned event horse he is now looking forward to the show jumping phase, after of course he's had his good boy dressage carrots!

Dressage Test Riding A Dressage Test

Dressage Test
Riding A Dressage Test