Dressage Tests

U.S. Dressage Tests

There are several different types of dressage tests, but all use a standard or short dressage arena that is 20 meters wide and either 60 or 40 meters long. Each arena is lettered in an identical pattern, with the entrance designated as A and the judge's booth as C. Tests call for a series of figures to be done at specified places and gaits, similar to the compulsory tests used for figure skating.

Introductory Level

Tests for Introductory Level (Test A and Test B) are designed for horses or riders who are new to dressage competition. They ask for straight lines and large circles (20 meters or about 65 feet, the full width of a dressage arena) at the walk and trot only, with no cantering.

Training through Fourth Level

USEF tests for Training Level through Fourth Level are available on the USEF website. These tests are designed in sequence to increase the horse's suppleness, engagement, and response to the aids as he or she moves up the levels. They are used nationwide for a four-year show cycle, then replaced. The current tests will remain in use through 2010. Also, horse show managers and others who have a USEF Authorized User account can download complete official score sheets for each new test. (Start here.) The score sheets are useful because they include the coefficients (items that count double or triple) and what the judge is looking for in each movement.

Musical Freestyle

Some dressage shows offer musical freestyle classes at First Level and/or higher levels. These freestyle classes may be held for individual riders, pas de deux (pairs of horses and riders), or even quadrilles (teams of four horses and riders). Musical freestyle classes are judged both on technical execution and artistic impression, similar to freestyle classes in figure skating. They require the rider to demonstrate specific elements or movements, but the rider is free to perform those elements in any order and at any place in the dressage arena, choreographing them to suit the horse's talents and music of the rider's choice.

The required freestyle elements are generally drawn from those specified at the highest test of the level in question. (To be eligible to compete in musical freestyle, the horse/rider combination must first enter the highest standard test of the level in question, or any test at the next level, and must receive a score of at least 58%.)

Freestyle requirements at each level are available on USDF's website, starting with Freestyle First Level. Also, USDF has a musical freestyle website, including an online course. It also offers a booklet on musical freestyle, and gives full details in the yearly USDF Directory sent to all participating USDF members. And there's even a free online database of music suitable for freestyle, organized by gait and beats per minute. You can listen to clips from available CD's to find selections that suit your horse's style. Or better yet, buy the songs individually and download them to your iPod.