| Dressage has ancient roots and is became an | | | | such as the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, four |
| important equestrian event in the West during the | | | | other judges will be placed at the markers E, B, M and |
| Renaissance in Europe. It was at this time that the | | | | H. This ensures the horse can be judged from all |
| great European riding masters of the world created a | | | | angles. |
| sequential training system, which is known today as | | | | The tests performed at the FEI World Equestrian |
| Classical dressage. This training system is still the basis | | | | Games are of the highest level, which is Grand Prix. |
| of modern dressage training today. | | | | The gaits and maneuvers performed at this level |
| Often referred to as "horse ballet," dressage tests the | | | | include: |
| athletic ability of the horse as well as its disposition and | | | | - Collected and extended walk, trot and canter |
| willingness. Due to the dressage being a French term, | | | | - Trot and Canter Half-pass - This is when the horse |
| the maneuvers completed in the various dressage | | | | travels diagonally across the arena with its body |
| tests are also French. However, before you can | | | | parallel to the arena railing. |
| completely understand the maneuvers, you must first | | | | - Passage - This is a slow, suspended trot. |
| have a good understanding of the arena that | | | | - Piaffe - This is a slow, extremely collected trot and |
| dressage takes place in. | | | | should appear as though the horse is trotting in place. |
| A dressage arena has letters assigned at specific | | | | - One, two and three tempi changes - These are flying |
| positions. Each dressage test dictates which gait or | | | | lead changes at the canter that take place at specific |
| maneuver is to be performed and at which letter. | | | | beats in the gait depending on the required tempi |
| There are two sizes of dressage arenas, but the | | | | change. |
| arena used at the FEI World Equestrian Games will | | | | - Canter pirouettes - This maneuver is a 360 degree |
| utilize the standard arena. The standard arena is 66 | | | | circle that appears to take place on the spot. For the |
| feet by 197 feet, creating a long rectangle. Around the | | | | freestyle dressage test, the horse and rider are able to |
| outside edge of the arena, moving clockwise, you will | | | | perform these maneuvers and more to show the |
| see the letters A-K-V-E-S-H-C-M-R-B-P-F. Down the | | | | ability of their horses. Many riders will include more |
| middle of the arena, you will not see any letters | | | | complicated movements such as pirouettes in a piaffe, |
| marked, but the riders know that the letters G-I-X-L-D | | | | a half pass in passage or a double canter pirouette. |
| correspond to the letters marking the outside edge | | | | If you want to see some of the most talented horses |
| with the letter "X" marking the center of the arena. | | | | from around the world perform at the highest level of |
| A dressage test always begins at marker A and the | | | | dressage, then you won't want to miss the 2010 |
| judge is always sitting at marker C on the far end of | | | | Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. |
| the arena from the rider. At a world level competition, | | | | |