What does competing in dressage competitions entail for horse and rider?
The horse and rider perform dressage tests that are composed of certain, compulsory movements that last from six to ten minutes. The quality of the movements is scored according to the pair’s proficiency and the highest score win the class. Dressage tests begin at the USDF Intro and Training levels, with the required patterns getting progressively more difficult as they move up to the Olympic level of Grand Prix. All tests are performed in a marked arena that is 20×40 meters for the lower levels and 20×60 meters for the higher levels. How did you get involved in it? Like many younger riders, I was attracted to the speed and thrill of jumping horses. As I moved into the sport of eventing (the “triathlon of riding”), I was required to perform a dressage test in addition to jumping in an arena and out in the fields/woods. At that point, I was really only riding the dressage test so that I could get to the part where I galloped and jumped out in the woods! However, in order to be competiti
