Dressage is a French word meaning training. It is both a method of schooling and a competitive equestrian sport. Dressage uses a series of movements and figures, which have been studied and developed for centuries. For this reason, it is considered classical training.

In dressage competition, the riders guide their horses through a series of movements at the walk, trot and canter, using mainly leg and seat signals. The horse’s movements should be smooth, precise, and graceful, and the rider’s signals should not be visible to the spectators. The series of movements is performed alone, in a marked rectangular arena. The movements are done in a specific order and each movement in the exercise is judged and scored on a scale of 0-10; the horse and rider with the most points win. Special dressage movements include the passage, piaffe, and pirouette. A passage is a rhythmic, elevated trot in which the horse slowly moves forward. A piaffe resembles a trot, but it is performed without any forward, backward, or sideward movement. A pirouette is a circle that the horse makes by pivoting its forelegs and one hind leg around the other hind leg.

The tests are graduated for both horse and rider from Training Level through Fourth Level (the National USDF Tests), and from Prix St. Georges to Intermediare I & II and Grand Prix (the International Equestrian Federation tests).

These tests are standard throughout the country. Central Washington Dressage (located in the Pacific Northwest, and part of the USDF’s Region 6) uses the current version of these tests in all of their shows. Horse and rider must demonstrate that they have mastered the objectives and standards for one level before advancing to the next. Riders attending CWDS monthly clinics learn the standard movements of each level from an instructor and judge with extensive show experience.

Of growing popularity is the musical freestyle. A rider picks a piece of music that fits the tempo of his horse’s movements. He then choreographs a routine that incorporates certain required movements in a way that showcases that horse’s particular talents. The horse looks as if it is dancing in perfect rhythm to the music!

Why Choose a Dressage Riding Club?