Rev Up Your Dressage Scores

 

Lesson Four

 

What It All Means

 

          The “consensus” is: the single best tip to rev-up your dressage scores is to “understand” what the movements and scores actually mean.

          We have discussed where you need to be in the arena, and what you need to do to rev-up scores…. but what does it all mean?  Just what is expected and how is it all judged?

 

UNDERSTANDING THE BASIC MOVEMENTS OF THE HORSE

          First and foremost, the dressage horse has to have three natural gaits: walk, trot and canter.

          Walk - A clear "four-beat" gait with footfalls following one another.

         Trot - A "two-beat" gait where diagonal leg pairs move simultaneously followed by a moment of suspension.

         Canter - This is a "three-beat" gait where one hind leg strikes off (one beat) the opposite and diagonal foreleg (second beat) move together, and the leading foreleg follows (third beat).  There is a moment when both hind feet are off the ground at the same time…a moment of suspension.

          Within each of these gaits there are several things asked of the horse as you move up the levels.  These would be collection, working, medium and lengthen/extension paces within these gaits.

         Collection - Improves the horse's balance and equilibrium as he engages his hindquarters improving his ride-ability through self carriage and lightness.

          The horse remains "on the bit" with the neck raised and arched with the poll at the highest point. The horse's strides are shorter, but he maintains his rhythm.

         Working - This pace falls between the collected and medium gait. The gait shows proper balance and the horse remains on the bit and moves forward with even elastic steps.  Normally, “working” is the horse’s natural movement within that gait…the movement with which he is most comfortable.  The other paces within each gait derive from “working” as you collect or lengthen the horse.   As all horses are individuals, the paces within the gaits are specific to that particular horse.

         Medium - The pace between working and extension at the trot and canter or between the collected and extended walk.  Medium shows a moderately lengthened stride with impulsion.

         Extension - The horse covers as much ground as possible within a given gait, thus demonstrating greater impulsion. He should not be faster, but is longer striding.  His nose should be in FRONT of the vertical.

          Free Walk - The horse lowers and stretches his head and neck illustrating complete relaxation with a non-restricted walk and a loose, swinging back.

          A few other variations of gaits in the middle and upper levels are:

         Passage - This is a very collected, cadenced trot that is characterized by elevated movement of the knees and hocks, as well as a defined engagement of the quarters. The toe of the raised foreleg should come to the middle of the cannon bone of the opposing foreleg. The horse should remain calmly on the bit with a raised arched neck and head close to vertical. The poll should be the highest point of the arch.

 

         PiaffeThis diagonal movement is highly collected and cadenced as with the passage; however, it is done "in place." The horse's raised foreleg should again be raised to the middle of the opposing foreleg's cannon bone. The raised hind toe should be slightly above the fetlock joint of the opposing hind leg.  The piaffe should always remain lively and animated with the horse's body moving up and down in a relaxed, supple and cadenced manner. As with passage, the horse's neck should be arched with his head in the vertical position.

 

         Counter Canter - Cantering deliberately on the lead opposing the circle direction (i.e. - right lead canter while riding a circle to the left or vice versa). This is often used to balance the horse because he is maintaining his natural flexion at the poll to the outside of the circle and positioned to the side of the leading leg.

 

         Simple change of Lead - The horse is taken to a walk or trot from a left-lead canter, for example, and then asked to depart on a right lead canter.

 

         Flying change of Lead – The horse is asked to change his lead without changing gait.  The request to change leads is made just before the moment of suspension, and the horse changes while both hind feet are elevated.  This can be executed on every stride or any stride.

 

         Transitions - An upward or downward change of gait or pace at a given time/marker.  These should not be abrupt, and the horse should remain calm and maintain position.  All transitions should be performed with the rider’s leg gently supporting him, especially in the down transitions.

 

          Movements throughout the testing levels:

 

         Change of Direction - The horse changes the bend of his body as he changes the direction in which he is traveling.  The horse should maintain his pace without resisting or losing his rhythm.

 

         Rein Back - The horse moves backward in a straight line by moving legs in diagonal pairs.  This is asked by the rider sending the horse forward into an unyielding hand which sets a barrier to forward movement.  The rider continues to ask for movement which results in the horse moving backward.  The horse’s neck and back should rise while he moves backward.

 

         Halt - The horse stops all movement with all four feet equally balanced underneath himself.  The rider makes the request to halt by pushing the horse into an unyielding hand.  The horse should remain relaxed, attentive, straight, and on the bit.

 

         Leg Yield - The horse exhibits a slight flexion of the poll away from the direction he is traveling. The inside legs should cross in front of the outside legs with the rider being able to see just the inside eyebrow and nostril. This movement is the precursor to the shoulder-in and half pass seen in the more advanced tests. The horse should remain supple and relaxed during the execution of this movement.

 

         Serpentine - The horse performs half circles followed by straight lines. The horse should be parallel to the short side of the arena as he crosses the center line.

 

         Volte - This is a 6, 8 or 10 meter circle.  The term “circle” is used only if the diameter is greater than 10 meters.

         Shoulder-In - The horse’s forehand should be slightly bent around the rider's inside leg, away from the direction of movement - (approximately 30 degrees) in collected trot. The outside front leg should move over and track in front of the inside hind leg.  The inside hind leg should remain on the same track as the outside foreleg, thus stepping under the horse's body as he moves. The horse should be traveling on 3-tracks and maintain his cadence as he moves.

         Travers - The horse’s hindquarters is bent around the rider's inside leg, but with a 35-degree angle of bend so the horse travels on 4-tracks.  Travers is performed at either the collected trot or collected canter with the forehand remaining on the track. The hindquarters leave the track while performing the travers and are not returned to the track until the end of the travers. Upon returning to the track, there should be no counter flexion of the poll or neck. In this movement, the head will remain closest to the outside of the arena or wall.

         RenversThis is the opposite of the travers with the tail remaining closest to the outside of the arena or wall.

         Half Pass - The horse bends slightly around the rider's inside leg with the forehand moving slightly in advance of the hind quarters as the horse travels across the diagonal. The outside legs pass in front of the inside legs and the horse is looking forward and does not look toward the diagonal path. The horse should maintain his elasticity, cadence and impulsion throughout the execution of the movement.

         Turn on the Haunches - This movement is similar to the pirouette in that the horse's forelegs move around the horse's hind legs.

         Pirouette - This movement is generally performed at the collected walk or canter where the horse's forehand circles around the hind limbs at a distance equal to the length of the horse. The horse should be slightly bent in the direction that he is traveling. He should remain "on the bit" and maintain his cadence. The horse should not deviate from his direction by moving backwards or sideways.  This movement can also be performed as a half pirouette or quarter pirouette.

         The Half – Halt - The half-halt is a nearly invisible, simultaneous action of the hand, seat and legs used to capture the horse's attention and regain balance.  The secret to effective half-halts is balance of the aids. If the rider applies too much leg, the horse will drive forward through the hand and come over the bit. If too much hand is applied, the horse will lose momentum. Applying the aids in appropriate order and in balance with each other will result in an effective half-halt and well balanced, collected horse.

 

How to Execute the Half-Halt

Apply leg aid to send the horse forward – do not lean back.  Apply outside hand by closing the fist.  Pulse your inside hand by closing and opening the fingers gently.  Release aids and praise!

          I like to think of it this way: push (with seat/leg), soften (the hand), relax (the body.

When to use the Half-Halt

          It is very important that the horse be sensitive to both the leg and rein aids. He must also be accepting and reaching for the bit. Only then should the rider focus on requesting the half-halt to attain the following:

·        To capture the horse's attention

·        To slow the tempo

·        To achieve lighter contact

·        To increase collection

·        To improve cadence

          Each of the above reasons improves the horse's balance. Half-halts can be used as needed so long as appropriate releases and praise are used.  Think of them as the clutch of a car, and use a half-halt to signal:

·       Change of speed

·       Change of direction

·       Change of gait

 

 

         Common Errors in Execution

·        Too much leg

·        Too much hand

·        Bad Timing

·        Pulling on reins or See-sawing

          To understand the reason of the movements you must know a little about the “Training Pyramid”.  It is considered the foundation on which subsequent levels are built. This pyramid style training structure is outlined in the illustration.

          Everyone should start at the base of the pyramid.

    Personally I have always felt that Straightness should go hand-in-hand with Connection, but I give you this pyramid as it is the standard around the world.

 

          This structure serves only as a template for training the horse. As a horse progresses through its training, the levels must be mastered to support the improvement of the upper levels.  Each level of the training pyramid is complementary to the next.

 

          Within each level, there are a series of graduated tests increasing in difficulty.

 

          The levels are: Training, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Prix St. Georges, Intermediate I, Intermediate II, Grand Prix.

 

          Dressage tests serve as a measure of the horse and rider’s schooling. Each level builds upon the preceding level.  A horse and rider should not consider progressing to the next level until sufficient mastery of the current level is demonstrated by attaining a 60 percent or better score in all areas. This helps ensure that the horse and rider build the strong foundation required for the skills needed at higher levels.

 

          The overall dressage score is comprised of individual movement scores, as well as collective marks. Coefficients are also applied to add an element of importance to certain movements. Scores are calculated using a 0-10 scoring scale, which is broken down as follows:

 

·       0 - Not Executed

·       1 - Very Bad

·       2 - Bad

·       3 - Fairly Bad

·       4 - Insufficient

·       5 - Sufficient

·       6 - Satisfactory

·       7 - Fairly Good

·       8 - Good

·       9 - Very Good

·       10 - Excellent

 

          Collective marks are given after the rider has completed his/her test. These marks are also based on the 0-10 scoring scale and consider gaits, impulsion, submission and the rider’s position and seat; they are the marks of the horse and rider combined.

          The following describes each element:

         Gaits: The freedom and regularity of the horse’s movement.

          Impulsion: The horse’s desire to move forward, elasticity of steps, roundness.


         Submission:  The horse’s attention and confidence; harmony with rider, lightness of movements, and acceptance of the bit.


         Rider’s seat and position: Correctness and effectiveness of aids.

          Because of the pyramid style training structure used in dressage, it is imperative that each level of dressage is performed at least “satisfactory” before moving to the next level. Inadequate preparation at lower levels will result in a decreased level of performance and possible injury to the horse when attempting to perform upper level movements.

          Receiving poor marks on a dressage test can be upsetting, but you must realize that it is only an analysis of where you are at that time.  Use the analysis to improve the areas mentioned by the judge.  The judge has no idea how well you and your horse perform at home.  The judge can only grade what is seen in that particular test.

          Take all scores as information and opportunity.  The idea is to improve your foundation so you’ll reach your “success goals.”

          The judge does not want to see horses and riders fail, but rather see horse and rider achieve the desired level of success.   The judge’s comments will help you rev-up your dressage scores if they are taken as positive guides to your success.

          The judges will be looking at how your horse moves and how he performs the actions requested.

          Dressage scoring is really based on the ease and efficiency of the horse’s movement.  Dressage judges do not want to see a western jog or lope, nor Saddle Seat leg movements.

          Just what do they want to see?

          Judges want to see things such as: the haunches being propelled from the hips and not the hocks.  Over-use of the hocks will bring your score down.  Horses which over-use their hocks are telling the judge they have incorrect posture, or perhaps an injured or tight back, and the judge will note that in his or her scoring of the horse’s movement.

          Judges don’t want to see “high stepping” horses.  It is a popular misconception that a high-knee stepper is correct.  High knees may look flashy and pretty to some people, but in dressage, the judge will see it as incorrect and inefficient movement.

          Dressage judges are looking for very specific movements, and your horse must provide it if you are to attain high scores.  If the horse doesn’t have natural ease and efficiency in movement, there is little you can do.

          Evaluate your horse as a judge does.  Look for haunches that are propelling him forward and that his knee action is not exaggerated. The horse’s shoulders should be working to help send his forelegs in long elegant strides, not marching-style with knees coming up to his chest.

          The judging of a dressage horse centers on the use and shape of the horse’s back.  The back is the bridge that connects forehand and hindquarters.  You must be sure to work your horse so his back is raised.

          If the hips, shoulders and back cannot work together, the whole system breaks down.  Your judge will reflect the system breakdown in your scores under submission, willingness and sometimes as possible lameness if gaits are negatively affected.

          Above all else, the judge wants to see the hindquarters as the driving force, which when correctly activated, guides the horse into balance and lightness. 

          If you want to rev-up your dressage scores, learn as much as you can about helping the dressage horse to attain ease and efficiency of movement.  The course, Dressage: Foundation for All Riding Disciplines will help you polish and refine your horse’s movement.

 

Click Here To Take Quiz

Assignment:

TASK ONE:

Tell me how you would interpret the Training Pyramid, what you would be working on with your horse, and what level you would be preparing to ride.

 

TASK TWO:

Explain biomechanically your horse’s strong points and weak points.  For the weak points, what is your plan to improve these? 

 

Please send report to: cathyhansonqh@gmail.com