The end of the nineteenth century saw the advent of motorization, with the consequent loss of any valid reason to train horses for speed and endurance over long distances for military operations.

But because the spirit of competition has not died, nor have horsemen changed much, riders continue to want to perfect their skills. Thus, they continue to condition their horses to gain the ability and style required to win in national and international competition.

The main Equestrian Olympic Disciplines consist of:

Jumping, Combined Training, Driving and Dressage, the latter being the basis for all of the others.

D R E S S A G E Competitions:

Riding the Dressage Test:

Marks out of 10

10 - EXCELLENT
9 - VERY GOOD
8 - GOOD
7 - FAIRLY GOOD
6 - SATISFACTORY
5 - SUFFICIENT
4 - INSUFFICIENT
3 - RATHER BAD
2 - BAD
1 - VERY BAD
0 - NOT EXECUTED

Dressage Marking

The assessment of the quality of each movement should be based on the following :

1. IMPULSION (to show liveliness and brilliance)
2. SUBMISSION (to show calmness and attention)
3. ACCEPTANCE OF THE BRIDLE(to show relaxation of the jaw, stability of the head and neck, constancy to the hand)
4. REGULARITY (to maintain steady/active rhythm)
5. PRECISION (resulting from suppleness, ease/lightness of movements)

The total marks should reflect the overall impression given by both rider and horse throughout the test.

1. IMPULSION is the engagement of the horse’s hocks and the energy of their propulsion in the forward movement. This forward movement must be respected by the rider’s hands, which should not counteract the impulsion in any way, but only channel and regulate it. If the impulsion lags, the rider should immediately re-establish it by judicious use of the legs.
2. SUBMISSION is manifested by complete obedience to the aids. Any disobedience or reticence should lower the proposed mark by two points (ie : grinding teeth, swishing tail, visible tongue and any other defenses).
3. ACCEPTANCE OF THE BRIDLE (Elementary) should show flexion at the poll, the nose slightly in front of the vertical, constant and supple contact between the mouth and hand via reins adjusted to the required tension. This head carriage should be a direct result of impulsion and NOT because of a pulling/sawing hand.
   Faults :
   • Over bending - 4 or under
   • Weight carried over forehand – 5 or under
   • Fighting the hands - 3 or under
   • Mouth agitated - 2 or under
   • Head above the hand - 3 or under
   • Irregular/uneven gaits - 3 or under
4. GAITS AND PACES must above all be REGULAR. Any irregularity should be marked with a 4 or under. Any lameness must incur immediate elimination
5. THE HALT should be smooth and precise, the horse standing square and still.
   Faults:
   • Horse backs up, spreads, moves haunches sideways - 4 or less
6. THE ORDINARY AND MEDIUM WALK should remain forward moving, balanced with noticeable hock engagement, the four hoof beats distinctly and evenly separated.
   Faults:
   • Pacing, or lateral Walk - 2 or less
   • Jogging - 4 or less
   • No hock engagement - 5 or less
7. EXTENDED WALK shows accentuated engagement of the hocks, the reins and the neck extended to allow more freedom of movement in the shoulders, the mouth remaining in constant contact with the hand.
   Faults:
   • Exaggeration of foreleg steps, lack of hock engagement, jogging - 4 or
   less
8. ORDINARY AND MEDIUM TROT. The horse should move energetically and without hesitation into the trot, maintain a regular and active cadence and remain on the bit.
9. EXTENDED TROT. With amplified push from the posteriors, previously well engaged, the movement of the anteriors becomes more accentuated. The neck extends, as does the overall action of the horse, who remains on the bit.
   Faults:
   • Horse on the forehand, hurrying w/out engagement - 4 or less
   • Rough or uneven action, the extension coming from the knee or fetlock
   instead of from the shoulder because of lack of engagement. - 4 or less
10. ORDINARY OR MEDIUM CANTER. The horse should move into the canter completely straight and be maintained at an energetic and precise cadence.
    Faults:
    • Four beat canter - 4 or less
    • Split or disunited canter - 3 or less
    • Crabwise canter - 4 or less
11. EXTENDED CANTER. Progressive, but the length of stride quickly attains its maximum amplitude, which should be maintained to the indicated letter, returning within a few strides to the prescribed length.
12. REIN BACK. The horse should be completely straight, backing regularly and precisely step by step, neck and withers sustained, the horse remaining balanced and on the bit, ready for any forward movement.
    Faults:
    • Horse fights hand, above/below bit - 4 or less
    • Horse resists/spreads before backing - 4 or less
    • Horse stiffens, lowers forehand - 4 or less
    • Horse backs precipitously - 4 or less

MOVEMENTS

Should be executed precisely at each indicated point and follow exactly the prescribed measurement. It is when the body of the rider reaches the indicated letter that the movement should be started or ended.

CIRCLES AND VOLTES. The horse’s spine, curved from head to tail, should follow exactly the line of travel (straightness).

REVERSE VOLTES ENDING WITH TRAVERS/RENVERS. The purpose of these movements is to:

1. obtain obedience to the isolated leg and to prepare the horse for future two track work.
2. Ensure that the horse remains engaged and constant to the bit.
3. To counteract resistances.
   Note: The above are found in European Tests.
   On a reverse half volte, at a point about 4 metres from the track, the horse will move onto the half circle displacing the haunches on a larger half circle around the shoulders. The head and neck should remain straight, neither overbent nor above the bit. There will be neither loss nor gain of points if, during a well executed movement, the horse’s head is curved toward his oncoming haunches.
   Faults:
   • The outside posterior, instead of passing in front of the inside
   Posterior either meets or passes behind it - 4 or less
   
   TWO CIRCLES JOINED. Where the two circles join, the horse must be completely straightened from head to tail before starting into the second circle, the shoulders leaving the straight line first.
   Faults:
   • The horse does not follow the line of the circles and/or does
   not remain straight between circles - 3 or less

THE RIDER

The Position and aids of the rider should be such that all the movements are obtained without apparent effort from the rider, who remains effortlessly in the centre of balance.

1. The SEAT should be completely engaged, as far forward as possible in the saddle, the back supply erect, the shoulders very slightly behind the vertical (the only position which allows the horse to be “in front” of the rider). The rider should be seated “in” the saddle as opposed to “on” it.
   Faults:
   • shoulders in front of the vertical, seat too close to pommel
   or cantle, legs too far forward/back.
2. The SHOULDERS should be free, supple, relaxed, the head held high and the eyes looking high and forward.
   Faults:
   • Head bent forward and down, shoulders/arms stiff and high.
3. The ARMS should fall naturally alongside the body and be bent at the elbow.
   Faults:
   • Elbows straight, stiff and sticking outward.
4. The HANDS should be maintained above and slightly in front of the withers, following the line of the forearm, the thumbs up, fingers gently closed on the reins. Hand action always from bottom to top and forwards.
   Faults:
   • Wrists bent out of line with arm/reins, hands in the lap,
   fingers facing backwards/downwards, elbows stiff/open.
5. The LEGS . Thighs should be extended downwards and be softly enveloping without any evidence of grip, the knee bent without stiffness in light contact, the lower leg falling naturally by its own weight slightly behind the girth, ankles flexible, all factors which allow the heels to remain lower than the toes. To increase speed, impulsion and/or engage the hocks, leg action originates from the hip area to the thickest part of the calf, which acts with a back-to-forward motion. To request movement from the haunches, the leg acts in a perpendicular motion.
   Faults:
   • Knees clamped/hanging out too far, lower leg not in contact
   too far forward, too far back, constantly flapping, heels higher than
   the toes.
6. The UPPER BODY should remain in the centre of balance, easy, free and erect enabling the rider to follow the movements of the horse smoothly and freely, thus apply his aids imperceptibly.
   
   The SALUTE:
   To salute at the beginning and end of a test, the reins are held in the left hand. When carrying a whip, it must be placed in the left hand prior to proceeding with the salute.
   Lady riders incline the head while stretching the right hand and arm towards the ground and slightly outward from the thigh, fingers straight and together, palm open and facing backwards.
   Gentlemen remove their cap using the same motion, ensuring the inside of the hat faces backwards once the arm is fully outstretched.
   Proceed only once the judge has inclined his head and is reseated.