What are dressage shows like?
Dressage shows are built around tests. (more on that in a moment). Entries are sent in weeks before the show, with the rider selecting which tests she wishes to ride. Days before the show, the rider finds out when she is expected to ride each of the tests chosen, as each class is completely scheduled in advance, to the minute. At the show the test is performed with just one rider in the ring at a time. The tests may be memorized, but readers may be used to call out the movements, until the higher levels (FEI levels) are reached, or for the dressage phase of a combined training competition. (combined training is dressage, plus cross country jumping, plus stadium jumping). As the rider performs the test, the judge evaluates each movement, giving it a score from 0 to 10, plus comments, written down by a scribe next to the judge. After the test is complete, the results are tabulated by a scorer, and expressed as a percentage. The class is pinned on the basis of highest percentage.
