Dressage
NASMA encourages that Dressage competitions be held. Rules and regulations should be the most current United States Equestrian Federation “Dressage Division” rules.
Mules generally only show lower level, which is what will be covered here. From the USEF Rulebook:
Object and General Principles. The object of Dressage is the harmonious development of the physique and ability of thehorse. As a result it makes the horse calm, supple, loose and flexible but also confident, attentive and keen thus achieving perfect understanding with his rider.
Dress
The dress code for Training through Fourth Levels is a short riding coat of conservative color, with tie, choker or stock tie, white or light-colored breeches or jodhpurs, boots or jodhpur boots, a hunt cap or riding hat with a hard shell, derby or top hat. A cutaway coat (modified tailcoat) with short tails is permitted. Half chaps, gaiters and/or leggings are not allowed. Exception: Riders through First Level may wear half-chaps, gaiters or leggings in solid black or brown, without fringe, matching the color of their boots, and made of smooth leather or leather-like material. The dress code for the FEI Junior Tests, FEI Dressage Tests for 4, 5, and 6-year-old horses and the USEF test for 4-year old horses is a short riding coat of conservative color, with stock or tie, breeches, hunt cap or riding hat with a hard shell, derby or top hat. Gloves of conservative color are recommended. Spurs are optional for all Members of the Armed Services and police units may ride in the uniform of their service
Riders at all levels of competition must wear one of the following: A hunt cap or riding hat with a hard shell, derby or top hat, military/police cap or hat, or protective headgear.
One whip no longer than 47.2 inches (120 cm), including lash may be carried in all classes.
In extreme heat and/or humidity in all classes management can allow competitors to show without jackets. However, competitors must wear a regulation hat and solid white or very pale colored long or short sleeved shirt, without neckwear. T-shirts are not permitted.
Spurs must be made of metal. The shank must be either curved or straight pointing directly back from the center of the spur when on the rider’s boot. If the shank is curved, the spurs must be worn only with the shank directed downwards.
Gaits
The Halt. At the halt the horse should stand attentive, engaged, motionless and straight with theweight evenly distributed over all four legs being by pairs abreast with each other. The neckshould be raised, the poll high and the head slightly in front of the vertical. While remaining on the bit and maintaining a light and soft contact with the rider’s hand, the horse may quietly, chomp the bit and should be ready to move off at the slightest indication of the rider.
The Walk. The walk is a marching gait in which the footfalls of the horse’s feet follow one another in“four time”, well marked and maintained in all work at the walk. The following walks are recognized: collected walk, medium walk, extended walk and free walk.
a. Collected walk. The horse, remaining “on the bit”, moves resolutely forward, with his neck raised and arched, and showing clear self carriage. The head approaches the vertical position, the light contact with the mouth being maintained. The hindlegs are engaged with good hock action. The gait should remain marching and vigorous, the feet being placed in regular sequence. Each step covers less ground and is higher than at the medium walk, because all the joints flex more markedly. In order not to become hurried or irregular the collected walk is shorter than the medium walk, although showing greater activity.
b. Medium walk. A clear, regular and unconstrained walk of moderate lengthening. The horse, remaining on the bit, walks energetically but calmly with even and determined steps, the hind feet touching the ground in front of the footprints of the forefeet. The rider maintains a light, soft and steady contact with the mouth.
c. Extended Walk. The horse covers as much ground as possible without haste and with-out losing the regularity of his steps, the hind feet touching the ground clearly in front of the footprints of the forefeet. The rider allows the horse to stretch out his head and neck without, however, losing contact with the mouth.
d. Free Walk. The free walk is a pace of relaxation in which the horse is allowed complete freedom to lower and stretch out his head and neck. The degree of ground cover and length of strides, with hind feet stepping clearly in front of the footprints of the frontfeet, are essential to the quality of the free walk.
The Trot. The trot is a gait of “two time” on alternate diagonal legs (near left fore and right hind legand vice versa) separated by a moment of suspension. The trot, always with free, active and regular steps, should be moved into without hesitation. The following trots are recognized: working trot, collected trot, medium trot and extended trot.
All trot work is executed sitting unless otherwise indicated in the test concerned.
a. Collected Trot. The horse remaining on the bit moves forward with his neck raised and arched. The hocks being well engaged maintain an energetic impulsion thus enabling the shoulders to move with greater ease in any direction. The horse’s steps are shorter than in the other trots but he is lighter and more mobile.
b. Working Trot. This is a pace between the collected and the medium trot in which a horse not yet trained and ready for collected movements shows himself properly balanced and, remaining on the bit, goes forward with even, elastic steps and good hock action.
c. Medium Trot. This is a pace between the working and the extended trot but more “round” than the latter. The horse goes forward with clear and moderately lengthenedsteps and with an obvious impulsion from the hindquarters. The rider allows the horse remaining on the bit to carry his head a little more in front of the vertical than at the collectedand the working trot and allows him at the same time to lower his head and neck slightly.
d. Extended Trot. The horse covers as much ground as possible. Maintaining the samecadence he lengthens his steps to the utmost as a result of great impulsion from the hindquarters. The rider allows the horse remaining on the bit without leaning on it to lengthen his frame and to gain ground.
The Canter. The canter is a gait of “three time”, where at canter to the right, for instance, the footfalls follow one another as follows: left hind, left diagonal (simultaneously left fore and right hind), right fore, followed by a movement of suspension with all four feet in the air before the next stride begins. The canter always with light, cadenced and regular strides, should be moved into without hesitation. The following canters are recognized: working canter, collected canter, medium canter and extended canter.
a. Collected Canter. The horse remaining on the bit moves forward with his neck raisedand arched. The collected canter is marked by the lightness of the forehand and the engagement of the hindquarters: i.e., is characterized by supple, free and mobile shoulders and very active quarters. The horse’s strides are shorter than at the other canters but heis lighter and more mobile.
b. Working Canter. This is a pace between the collected and the medium canter in which a horse, not yet trained and ready for collected movements, shows himself properly balanced and remaining on the bit, goes forward with even, light and cadenced strides and good hock action.
c. Medium Canter. This is a pace between the working and the extended canter. The horse goes forward with free, balanced and moderately extended strides and an obvious impulsion from the hindquarters. The rider allows the horse remaining on the bit to carry his head a little more in front of the vertical than at the collected and working canter and allows him at the same time to lower his head and neck slightly. The strides should be long and as even as possible and the whole movement balanced and unconstrained.
d. Extended Canter. The horse covers as much ground as possible. Maintaining the same rhythm he lengthens his strides to the utmost without losing any of his calmness and lightness as a result of great impulsion from the hindquarters. The rider allows the horse remaining on the bit without leaning on it to lower and extend his head and neck; the tipof his nose pointing more or less forward. .
Counter-Canter. This is a movement where the rider, for instance on a circle to the left, deliberately makes his horse canter with the right canter lead (with the right fore leading). The counter-canter is a balancing movement. The horse maintains his natural flexion at the poll to the outside of the circle, and the horse is positioned to the side of the leading leg.
The Rein Back. The rein back is a movement in which the horse moves backwards by raising and settingdown the feet in diagonal pairs. The feet should be well raised and the hind feet remain in line,and the direction of travel should remain straight.
Saddlery and Equipment.
An English type saddle with stirrups is compulsory for USEF tests. An English type saddle may be constructed with or without a tree but cannot have a horn, swell, gallerie, or open gullet. Australian, Baroque, Endurance, McClellan, Spanish, Stock, or Western saddles are not permitted nor are modified versions of these saddles.
English-style stirrups or safety stirrups are compulsory
Saddle pads are optional, but should be white or of conservative color. Breed logos (for horses registered with that breed), national flags (for citizens of that country), riding club/business/farm names or logos are also permitted.No other advertisement or publicity is permitted on saddle cloths or horses.
Bridle: For Training, First and Second Level tests, a plain snaffle bridle is required with a regular cavesson, a dropped noseband, a flash noseband (a combination of a cavesson noseband and a dropped noseband attachment) or a crossed noseband. A crescent noseband is also permitted at these levels. Except for the crescent noseband, buckles and a small disk of sheepskin, which may be used in the intersection of the two leather straps of a crossed noseband, the noseband must be made entirely of leather or leather-like material. A padded noseband is allowed.
For Third and Fourth Level tests same as above, or a simple double bridle (bridoon [snaffle] and bit [curb] and curb chain, lip strap and rubber or leather cover for curb chain optional, cavesson noseband only).
At any level of competition, a cavesson noseband may never be so tightly fixed that it causes severe irritation to the skin. Cavesson nosebands may be used with a chin pad. At any level of competition, a browband may be multicolored and may be decorated with metal, beads, gemstones and crystals.
Martingales, bit guards, any kind of gadgets (such as bearing, side, running, balancing reins, nasal strips, tongue tied down, etc.), any kind of boots (including “easy-boots”) or band-ages (including tail bandages) and any form of blinkers, earmuffs or plugs, nose covers, seat covers, hoods are, under penalty of elimination, strictly forbidden. Fly hoods (ear covers) will only be permitted in order to protect horses from insects. Leg bandages are allowed in Pas de Deux and Quadrille classes. A breastplate and/or crupper may be used.
To see the current tests, please go to: http://www.useventing.com/competitions.php?section=dressage
Dressage Derby
This is a contest in which the riders may expect to change horses. It is conducted in two parts: 1) all riders ride a special test (usually short five minutes); 2) the four highest-scoring riders bring their horses to a special area and prepare to ride the test on each of the other three horses. An order-of-go is established and posted. The rider may not mount the horse he is as- signed before entering a practice area (either in front of the judge or in an adjacent supervised area). Each rider will be given the same amount of time to familiarize himself with his mount before beginning the special test. Scores will be posted for each rider on each horse including his own. The winning rider will be the rider with the highest total score (four rides).
Suitable to Become a Dressage Horse
Open to horses that have not competed in any test above the First Level that are under seven years of age. To be shown at a walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring. To be judged on the horse’s potential to become a Dressage mount. Horses are placed and no actual scores are awarded.
Dressage Seat Equitation.
Dressage Seat Equitation classes. May be offered for Juniors, Young Riders, Adult Amateurs and/or Open riders according to the following specifications:
a. Medium walk, working trot and canter both ways of the ring must be performed. The rider’s position, seat and specifically the correct use and effect of the aids required by the Training and First Level Dressage tests are to be judged.
b. The movements shall be performed by the exhibitors simultaneously; however, the judge may ask for independent tests.
c. No change of horses shall be required.
d. Whips and spurs are allowed. Horses shall be shown in plain snaffle.
e. Only the rider is judged, however, lameness of horses will be penalized.
g. Prizes are awarded to the rider, not the horse owner.
h. Back numbers must be provided to Equitation riders and they must be positioned to be clearly visible at all times.
j. Classes should be held in an enclosed ring that is larger than a standard dressage arena, if available. If such a space is not available, an open schooling area is permitted. If classes must be held in a dressage arena, it must be at least 20m x 60m, and no more than 6 horses shall be asked to canter at the same time.
NASMA encourages that Dressage competitions be held. Rules and regulations should be the most current United States Equestrian Federation “Dressage Division” rules.
Mules generally only show lower level, which is what will be covered here. From the USEF Rulebook:
Object and General Principles. The object of Dressage is the harmonious development of the physique and ability of thehorse. As a result it makes the horse calm, supple, loose and flexible but also confident, attentive and keen thus achieving perfect understanding with his rider.
Dress
The dress code for Training through Fourth Levels is a short riding coat of conservative color, with tie, choker or stock tie, white or light-colored breeches or jodhpurs, boots or jodhpur boots, a hunt cap or riding hat with a hard shell, derby or top hat. A cutaway coat (modified tailcoat) with short tails is permitted. Half chaps, gaiters and/or leggings are not allowed. Exception: Riders through First Level may wear half-chaps, gaiters or leggings in solid black or brown, without fringe, matching the color of their boots, and made of smooth leather or leather-like material. The dress code for the FEI Junior Tests, FEI Dressage Tests for 4, 5, and 6-year-old horses and the USEF test for 4-year old horses is a short riding coat of conservative color, with stock or tie, breeches, hunt cap or riding hat with a hard shell, derby or top hat. Gloves of conservative color are recommended. Spurs are optional for all Members of the Armed Services and police units may ride in the uniform of their service
Riders at all levels of competition must wear one of the following: A hunt cap or riding hat with a hard shell, derby or top hat, military/police cap or hat, or protective headgear.
One whip no longer than 47.2 inches (120 cm), including lash may be carried in all classes.
In extreme heat and/or humidity in all classes management can allow competitors to show without jackets. However, competitors must wear a regulation hat and solid white or very pale colored long or short sleeved shirt, without neckwear. T-shirts are not permitted.
Spurs must be made of metal. The shank must be either curved or straight pointing directly back from the center of the spur when on the rider’s boot. If the shank is curved, the spurs must be worn only with the shank directed downwards.
Gaits
The Halt. At the halt the horse should stand attentive, engaged, motionless and straight with theweight evenly distributed over all four legs being by pairs abreast with each other. The neckshould be raised, the poll high and the head slightly in front of the vertical. While remaining on the bit and maintaining a light and soft contact with the rider’s hand, the horse may quietly, chomp the bit and should be ready to move off at the slightest indication of the rider.
The Walk. The walk is a marching gait in which the footfalls of the horse’s feet follow one another in“four time”, well marked and maintained in all work at the walk. The following walks are recognized: collected walk, medium walk, extended walk and free walk.
a. Collected walk. The horse, remaining “on the bit”, moves resolutely forward, with his neck raised and arched, and showing clear self carriage. The head approaches the vertical position, the light contact with the mouth being maintained. The hindlegs are engaged with good hock action. The gait should remain marching and vigorous, the feet being placed in regular sequence. Each step covers less ground and is higher than at the medium walk, because all the joints flex more markedly. In order not to become hurried or irregular the collected walk is shorter than the medium walk, although showing greater activity.
b. Medium walk. A clear, regular and unconstrained walk of moderate lengthening. The horse, remaining on the bit, walks energetically but calmly with even and determined steps, the hind feet touching the ground in front of the footprints of the forefeet. The rider maintains a light, soft and steady contact with the mouth.
c. Extended Walk. The horse covers as much ground as possible without haste and with-out losing the regularity of his steps, the hind feet touching the ground clearly in front of the footprints of the forefeet. The rider allows the horse to stretch out his head and neck without, however, losing contact with the mouth.
d. Free Walk. The free walk is a pace of relaxation in which the horse is allowed complete freedom to lower and stretch out his head and neck. The degree of ground cover and length of strides, with hind feet stepping clearly in front of the footprints of the frontfeet, are essential to the quality of the free walk.
The Trot. The trot is a gait of “two time” on alternate diagonal legs (near left fore and right hind legand vice versa) separated by a moment of suspension. The trot, always with free, active and regular steps, should be moved into without hesitation. The following trots are recognized: working trot, collected trot, medium trot and extended trot.
All trot work is executed sitting unless otherwise indicated in the test concerned.
a. Collected Trot. The horse remaining on the bit moves forward with his neck raised and arched. The hocks being well engaged maintain an energetic impulsion thus enabling the shoulders to move with greater ease in any direction. The horse’s steps are shorter than in the other trots but he is lighter and more mobile.
b. Working Trot. This is a pace between the collected and the medium trot in which a horse not yet trained and ready for collected movements shows himself properly balanced and, remaining on the bit, goes forward with even, elastic steps and good hock action.
c. Medium Trot. This is a pace between the working and the extended trot but more “round” than the latter. The horse goes forward with clear and moderately lengthenedsteps and with an obvious impulsion from the hindquarters. The rider allows the horse remaining on the bit to carry his head a little more in front of the vertical than at the collectedand the working trot and allows him at the same time to lower his head and neck slightly.
d. Extended Trot. The horse covers as much ground as possible. Maintaining the samecadence he lengthens his steps to the utmost as a result of great impulsion from the hindquarters. The rider allows the horse remaining on the bit without leaning on it to lengthen his frame and to gain ground.
The Canter. The canter is a gait of “three time”, where at canter to the right, for instance, the footfalls follow one another as follows: left hind, left diagonal (simultaneously left fore and right hind), right fore, followed by a movement of suspension with all four feet in the air before the next stride begins. The canter always with light, cadenced and regular strides, should be moved into without hesitation. The following canters are recognized: working canter, collected canter, medium canter and extended canter.
a. Collected Canter. The horse remaining on the bit moves forward with his neck raisedand arched. The collected canter is marked by the lightness of the forehand and the engagement of the hindquarters: i.e., is characterized by supple, free and mobile shoulders and very active quarters. The horse’s strides are shorter than at the other canters but heis lighter and more mobile.
b. Working Canter. This is a pace between the collected and the medium canter in which a horse, not yet trained and ready for collected movements, shows himself properly balanced and remaining on the bit, goes forward with even, light and cadenced strides and good hock action.
c. Medium Canter. This is a pace between the working and the extended canter. The horse goes forward with free, balanced and moderately extended strides and an obvious impulsion from the hindquarters. The rider allows the horse remaining on the bit to carry his head a little more in front of the vertical than at the collected and working canter and allows him at the same time to lower his head and neck slightly. The strides should be long and as even as possible and the whole movement balanced and unconstrained.
d. Extended Canter. The horse covers as much ground as possible. Maintaining the same rhythm he lengthens his strides to the utmost without losing any of his calmness and lightness as a result of great impulsion from the hindquarters. The rider allows the horse remaining on the bit without leaning on it to lower and extend his head and neck; the tipof his nose pointing more or less forward. .
Counter-Canter. This is a movement where the rider, for instance on a circle to the left, deliberately makes his horse canter with the right canter lead (with the right fore leading). The counter-canter is a balancing movement. The horse maintains his natural flexion at the poll to the outside of the circle, and the horse is positioned to the side of the leading leg.
The Rein Back. The rein back is a movement in which the horse moves backwards by raising and settingdown the feet in diagonal pairs. The feet should be well raised and the hind feet remain in line,and the direction of travel should remain straight.
Saddlery and Equipment.
An English type saddle with stirrups is compulsory for USEF tests. An English type saddle may be constructed with or without a tree but cannot have a horn, swell, gallerie, or open gullet. Australian, Baroque, Endurance, McClellan, Spanish, Stock, or Western saddles are not permitted nor are modified versions of these saddles.
English-style stirrups or safety stirrups are compulsory
Saddle pads are optional, but should be white or of conservative color. Breed logos (for horses registered with that breed), national flags (for citizens of that country), riding club/business/farm names or logos are also permitted.No other advertisement or publicity is permitted on saddle cloths or horses.
Bridle: For Training, First and Second Level tests, a plain snaffle bridle is required with a regular cavesson, a dropped noseband, a flash noseband (a combination of a cavesson noseband and a dropped noseband attachment) or a crossed noseband. A crescent noseband is also permitted at these levels. Except for the crescent noseband, buckles and a small disk of sheepskin, which may be used in the intersection of the two leather straps of a crossed noseband, the noseband must be made entirely of leather or leather-like material. A padded noseband is allowed.
For Third and Fourth Level tests same as above, or a simple double bridle (bridoon [snaffle] and bit [curb] and curb chain, lip strap and rubber or leather cover for curb chain optional, cavesson noseband only).
At any level of competition, a cavesson noseband may never be so tightly fixed that it causes severe irritation to the skin. Cavesson nosebands may be used with a chin pad. At any level of competition, a browband may be multicolored and may be decorated with metal, beads, gemstones and crystals.
Martingales, bit guards, any kind of gadgets (such as bearing, side, running, balancing reins, nasal strips, tongue tied down, etc.), any kind of boots (including “easy-boots”) or band-ages (including tail bandages) and any form of blinkers, earmuffs or plugs, nose covers, seat covers, hoods are, under penalty of elimination, strictly forbidden. Fly hoods (ear covers) will only be permitted in order to protect horses from insects. Leg bandages are allowed in Pas de Deux and Quadrille classes. A breastplate and/or crupper may be used.
To see the current tests, please go to: http://www.useventing.com/competitions.php?section=dressage
Dressage Derby
This is a contest in which the riders may expect to change horses. It is conducted in two parts: 1) all riders ride a special test (usually short five minutes); 2) the four highest-scoring riders bring their horses to a special area and prepare to ride the test on each of the other three horses. An order-of-go is established and posted. The rider may not mount the horse he is as- signed before entering a practice area (either in front of the judge or in an adjacent supervised area). Each rider will be given the same amount of time to familiarize himself with his mount before beginning the special test. Scores will be posted for each rider on each horse including his own. The winning rider will be the rider with the highest total score (four rides).
Suitable to Become a Dressage Horse
Open to horses that have not competed in any test above the First Level that are under seven years of age. To be shown at a walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring. To be judged on the horse’s potential to become a Dressage mount. Horses are placed and no actual scores are awarded.
Dressage Seat Equitation.
Dressage Seat Equitation classes. May be offered for Juniors, Young Riders, Adult Amateurs and/or Open riders according to the following specifications:
a. Medium walk, working trot and canter both ways of the ring must be performed. The rider’s position, seat and specifically the correct use and effect of the aids required by the Training and First Level Dressage tests are to be judged.
b. The movements shall be performed by the exhibitors simultaneously; however, the judge may ask for independent tests.
c. No change of horses shall be required.
d. Whips and spurs are allowed. Horses shall be shown in plain snaffle.
e. Only the rider is judged, however, lameness of horses will be penalized.
g. Prizes are awarded to the rider, not the horse owner.
h. Back numbers must be provided to Equitation riders and they must be positioned to be clearly visible at all times.
j. Classes should be held in an enclosed ring that is larger than a standard dressage arena, if available. If such a space is not available, an open schooling area is permitted. If classes must be held in a dressage arena, it must be at least 20m x 60m, and no more than 6 horses shall be asked to canter at the same time.