Dressage

History of Dressage

The word dressage comes from a French term meaning 'training' and is considered 'clasical training.' It is also a very competitive sport in the horse world. Dressage uses a lot of gymnastic movements which have been studied and developed for centuries. In the past dressage was only available to the royal, but now dressage has been devised into a competitive sport that everyone can enjoy.

Levels of Dressage

Training Level- 4 tests: medium & free walk, working trot, & working canter First Level- 4 tests: all above plus lengthenings & leg yields Second Level- 4 tests: all above plus collections, rein backs, countercanter, medium gaits, shoulder-ins, travers (haunches-in) turns on the haunches, & simple changes of lead Third Level- 3 tests: all above plus half-passes, extensions & flying lead changes Fourth Level- 3 tests: all above plus half pirouettes at walk & canter and 3 flying changes of lead every 3rd & 4th strides Fifth Level- 4 tests: equivalent to Prix St. Georges, Intermediate I, Intermediate II, and Grand Prix FEI Young Riders: 3 tests (Preliminary, team, & individual) equivalent to 4th level or Prix St. Georges The F.E.I.-sanctioned international levels each consist of one test, with the exception of Grand Prix. Prix Saint Georges: all above plus 5 changes of lead every 3rd & 4th strides Intermediate I: all above plus trotting half-pass "zig-zags," full canter pirouettes, and 7 flying changes of lead every 2nd stride Intermediate II: all above plus passage, piaffe (slight forward motion permitted), cantering zig-zags, 9 flying changes of lead every 2nd stride, and 9 flying changes of lead every stride Grand Prix- 2 tests (Grand Prix & Grand Prix Special): all above plus piaffe with no forward motion allowed and 15 flying changes of lead every stride

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History of Dressage
The word dressage comes from a French term meaning 'training' and is considered 'clasical training.' It is also a very competitive sport in the horse world. Dressage uses a lot of gymnastic movements which have been studied and developed for centuries. In the past dressage was only available to the royal, but now dressage has been devised into a competitive sport that everyone can enjoy.