Dressage is a French term most commonly translated to mean ‘training’ and it represents the most obedient nature of the horse. The perfect dressage test shows total harmony between horse and rider. Every horse has a natural athletic ability, so it is the combination of the horse’s willingness to perform and the rider’s ability to coax that performance that makes a top dressage display. Horses and riders at the top of their game are able to respond to minimal (almost invisible to the eye of the audience) aids and appear effortless in their movement.
Dressage is typically thought of as the kind of performance that you see at Grand Prix level and various other high status events like Badminton and Burghley. However, any kind of flatwork can be technically classed as dressage and it is something that all breeds of horse can benefit from. Of course, at international FEI (Fédération Équestre Internationale - International Federation for Equestrian Sports) events, the competing breed tends to be warmbloods, such as the selle français. However, competing occurs on a range of different levels, so any horse can take part. Movements include a range of disciplines at varying levels, including direct transitions, lateral work (the half pass and shoulder-in) extension and collection of paces and school figures (circles, centre line and serpentines).

The Dressage Test
Dressage intensifies through a number of levels, so, no matter what level of dressage you are riding at, you will always find a ‘test’ to suit ability. The categories run as follows:

• Preliminary
• Novice
• Elementary
• Medium
• Advanced Medium
• Advanced
• Prix St Georges
• Intermediare I
• Intermediare II
• Grand Prix

These tests outline a series of movements that must be completed in the order given. As the movements are completed, they are marked out of 10 and when the test has finished they are added together to give an overall score. The scoring system is as follows:

• 10 Excellent
• 9 Very good
• 8 Good
• 7 Fairly good
• 6 Satisfactory
• 5 Sufficient
• 4 Insufficient
• 3 Fairly Bad
• 2 Bad
• 1 Very bad
• 0 Not performed

In any kind of dressage test, the use of a multiplier or coefficient doubles the points awarded for one or more movements. Coefficients are typically given a value of 2, which then doubles the marks given for the movement. These segments demonstrate the importance of the movement(s) and are considered to be particularly important to the horse's progression in training. In order to move up to the next level of competition, the horse and rider should be able to execute the specified movement(s) perfectly. 

In addition to these marks, points are also awarded for the overall harmony between horse and rider. These are known as ‘collective marks’ and refer to:

1. Paces – freedom and regularity
2. Impulsion – desire to move forward, elasticity of the steps, suppleness of the back and engagement of the hindquarters.
3. Submission – attention and confidence, harmony, lightness and ease of the movements, acceptance of the bridle and lightness of the forehand
4. Rider’s position and balance – correctness and effectiveness of the aids.

Access to copies of dressage tests can be found here - they are relatively cheap - it is pretty much impossible to find free versions of the tests online, as these breach the copyright regulations in place for the tests. Depending on what kind of level you are interested in, there are a number of different categories with tests for sale.

Tack and Turnout
Tack is kept to a minimal, as dressage is meant to be a discipline that demonstrates the harmony, relationship and obedience between horse and rider without artificial aids. Therefore boots (including brush and over-reach), martingales, draw-reins and bandages are not allowed. Bridles vary according to the level of dressage ridden – at the most basic, only a snaffle bridle is permitted, with a drop, or flash noseband if required. At higher levels of dressage a double bridle with a plain cavesson is obligatory.
Turnout is a very important part of dressage and both horse and rider are dressed and presented at a very high standard. This is because competitive dressage is descended from royal presentations across Europe. Horse’s manes are plaited and these are sown or taped to keep them in place. Tails can be laced, but competitors at higher levels often choose not to do this as it can cause a degree of stiffness that is not desirable being that the tail is an extension of the spine which is the physical foundation for suppleness. Coats are dust free and sparkling, often trimmed depending on the time of year, fashion and culture. Any white markings will be dazzling. The muzzle and eyes will be cleaned and in some cases, the whiskers trimmed. Quarter marks are sometimes used, but this is more the case for the dressage phase of eventing, rather than competitive dressage.
The rider will be expected to be wearing white (or at a lower level, white or cream) jodhpurs or breeches and tall dress boots that will be clean and polished. At a lower level, field boots are also acceptable. The coat worn by competitors is usually black or navy with four buttons instead of the usual three. At very high levels, many riders often opt for ‘shadbelly’ jackets that can also be seen to be worn by the very senior hunt members. This is a very formal kind of tailcoat reserved only for the most formal of equestrian events. In addition to this, a white shirt and stock tie are worn, fastened with a small pin and matched with white gloves. At a lower level, black gloves are worn as white often accentuates a less experienced riders unsteady hands and contact. Long hair is tied back and confined to a hairnet underneath an approved riding helmet, or, at top levels, a top hat. At higher levels, spurs are also required.

Airs Above the Ground.
A more ‘showy’ kind of dressage is known as ‘airs above the ground’ and refers to series of higher-level dressage maneuvers where the horse leaves the ground. These are not typically seen in modern competitive dressage nor do they follow the ‘test’ criteria, tending to be used more for shows and displays. They are performed by horses of various riding academies, including the 'Spaish Riding School' in Vienna. Baroque breeds are the most common performers and include the Andalusian, Lustiano and Lippizzaner. This is due the strength of their hind quarters, which allows them to raise themselves and their riders from the ground beneath them.
The most ‘basic’ of these movements is known as the pesade and it is from this movement that all other airs are taught. In the pesade, the horse raises his forehand off the ground and tucks in the forelegs, carrying all weight on the hindquarters to form a 45 degree angle with the ground.
The next movement that follows is the levade - asking the horse to hold a position at a lesser angle of 30-35 degrees from the ground. The pesade is more of a test of balance, but the decreased angle of the levade makes it an extremely strenuous position to hold, requiring a greater effort from the horse, so is therefore more a test of strength. The levade is also a transitional movement between work on the ground and the airs above the ground. Neither of these movements are equivalent to rearing, as they require precise control, balance and a great deal of strength. They are a product of correct training, rather than resistance from the horse.
Other movements include:

• The capriole – This movement requires the horse jump from a raised position of the forehand straight up into the air, kicking out with the hind legs. It will then land on all four feet simultaneously. This is considered to be the most complex and difficult ‘air’. It is only ever performed by very talented, well trained horses.
• The courbette – from a raised forehand position, the horse tucks in the forelegs and then proceeds to move forward with the hind legs in a series of jumps, without allowing the forelegs to deviate from their position until they touchdown.

None of these movements are achieved with ease. Training is progressive (as you have seen from the list above) and intense and requires patience and commitment. It builds on a horse’s natural strength and ability but requires obedience and trust in the trainer. The movements outlined above are the most difficult to learn and awe inspiring to see, but there are many other movements that come between them as progressive training, such as the croupade and ballotade. For more information on this subject, or to see the movements in action, please visit a site brought to you by ‘The World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions’.