Dressage discipline: History, classes, training scale, famous riders

Dressage riding combines harmony between rider and horse through precisely executed figures and exercises in equestrian sport. This discipline, which extends all the way to the Olympic Games, requires a high level of training and understanding between the horse and its rider. The classes in dressage are varied and range from simple lessons for beginners to demanding teststhat are presented at international tournaments such as the CHIO Aachen.

The discipline of dressage, with its strict rules and required precision, reflects the deep connection and mutual understanding between horse and rider that is required to compete at the highest level. Dressage exercises are carefully designed to improve the horse's agility, strength and coordination. Each lesson builds on the previous one. The welfare of the animal should always come first . Criticism, both constructive and sometimes controversial, plays an important role in the development of both rider and horse as it helps to improve performance through detailed feedback.

The equipment used in dressage is specifically designed to maximize comfort and performance for both horse and rider, making this sport not only a challenge for those involved, but also a fascinating spectacle for spectators.

The history of dressage riding

For thousands of years, horses have been domesticated by humans as a means of transportation, work animals and also as a source of food. The many advantages of fighting wars with horses were quickly recognized. So "dressage" actually arose from the needs of the military. In war, obedient, fast and well-trained horses made the difference between life and death. Some lessons from the high school, such as capers or levades, were cultivated for this purpose.

Probably the first systematic treatise on horses was written by the Greek equestrian leader Xenophon (born around 426 BC in Athens). In his treatise "Peri Hippikes" (On the Art of Riding), he gave detailed instructions on everything from buying and caring for horses to training the rider and the special tricks of equestrian combat. Xenophon was not only a horseman, he was also a student of the philosopher Socrates. It is probably thanks to this philosophical background that he was so intensively involved with riding and horses and fundamentally rejected the rough riding style that was common at the time.  

But there was probably a person with a special gift for observation and in-depth knowledge of horse nature some two centuries earlier. In his writings, Xenophon refers to Simon of Athens, who lived at the time of the founding of Rome (around 600 BC). Simon of Athens, obviously a passionate horse lover, took the behavior and psyche of the horse into account even back then. He advocated non-violent education and equestrian training based on the principle of reward. 

Xenophon recognized that the gymnastic training of the horse according to its natural abilities, as well as dressage collection, are essential criteria for equine health. His demand and ethical guidelines that (dressage) riding must focus on the mental and physical integrity of the horse are more than relevant today.

Unfortunately, dressage riding then fell silent for many centuries. 

It was not until the 18th century that riding was taken up again after Xenophon. Francois Robichon de la Gueriniere, court equerry to the French king, published his "Ecole de Cavalerie" in 1733. This riding theory is still the basis for dressage riding today. The modern translation can be found in the treatise on the "Correct Seat of the Rider" by Colonel von Haugk.

The fact that the military and wars are closely linked to the training of horses is probably one of the sad truths of equestrianism. By the end of the Second World War, around 2.8 million horses had served in the German army alone. Not only did many horses die in the turmoil of war, many good riding masters were also lost and with them a considerable amount of knowledge. The guidelines for training horses and riders at this time were set out in the Army Service Regulations 1912 (H.Dv.12), which were last updated in 1937.

In Europe, the development of dressage as a sporting discipline took place towards the end of the 19th century. Here too, tournaments and sporting competitions were reserved for officers and often only took place in a military setting. Around 1900, dressage competitions gained international significance and from 1912 they were part of the Olympic Games program. But it was only after the world wars that equestrianism lost its significance and usefulness for the military. Riding became a hobby and a popular sport. And so, over time, the various dressage classes and dressage lessons developed, as can be seen at dressage competitions today.

Training scale and training principles of dressage riding

The scale of dressage training is regarded as THE guideline for the training of horses. During the reconstruction of German equestrianism after the war, the above-mentioned German Army Riding Regulations H.Dv.12 (1937 edition) was the template for defining the training objectives.

A precursor to today's training scale appeared in 1940 in "Die Ausbildung der Rekruten im Reiten" by Siegfried von Haugk. After the war, in "Das Reiter-ABC" (1948), von Haugk defined the sequence of "dressage objectives" according to today's training scale. 

The six points of the riding training scale

1. ‍Cadence: regularity of all steps, kicks and jumps‍
2. Looseness: relaxed tensing and relaxing of the muscles, with inner serenity‍
3. Contact: Steady, softly springy connection between the rider's hand and the horse's mouth‍
4. Momentum: Transfer of the energetic impulse from the hindquarters via the swinging back to the overall forward movement‍
5. Straightening: Even gymnastics of both halves of the body to compensate for the natural skew‍
6. Collection: Light-footed balancing on a small footprint with energetic hind legs in a self-carried stance

The scale of training is divided into three phases: the familiarization phase, the development of pushing power and the development of carrying power. Some of these phases run in parallel, but they basically build on each other.

For a long time, this training scale in equestrian sport was one of the most important building blocks in horse training. However, more and more people are calling for these principles to be reconsidered. More and more trainers are moving away from this scale and prefer to speak of training principles, as the individual building blocks cannot be clearly delineated, but rather merge into one another and form intersections. Many trainers also see the fixed sequence as not expedient.

Tact and suppleness, for example, are two inseparably linked training goals that cannot be achieved one after the other, but only in combination, as one requires the other. The question is also whether a horse with a strong natural crookedness at the beginning of its training can walk with rhythm and suppleness at all, or whether the straightening exercises must be started first in order to achieve rhythm and suppleness.

The training scale is certainly a useful, albeit rough, guide to training a riding horse. Horses are too different in terms of their mental and physical constitution for their training to be squeezed into a template. The individual elements are certainly the goals of training, but the order in which or the extent to which the elements should be merged, brought forward or put on the back burner depends on the rider's and trainer's instincts and should always be reconsidered for each horse. After all, training should always be horse-friendly - also in terms of ethics in equestrian sport.

Dressage riding: The foundation of riding

If you want to ride, you need dressage work. A horse is not a beast of burden by nature. In order for it to be able to carry a rider in the long term without suffering damage, it must be trained accordingly. Dressage work uses specific lessons and exercises to teach the horse a new way of moving and to train the necessary muscles.  

Dressage was therefore developed primarily for the horse and forms the basis for all equestrian disciplines. Dressage riding refines the horse's natural movements, its flexibility and permeability. It is not an end in itself, but serves to gymnasticize, train and maintain health. And this is independent of whether the horse is ridden for leisure or competition: dressage riding makes the horse more efficient and promotes its strength, coordination and flexibility. As riders, we have a duty to our horses to train them appropriately, gymnasticize them and ride them correctly!‍

In competition sport, these requirements and criteria are precisely defined for horse and rider.
(§ 405 LPO). The tests and performance classes are geared towards the respective training level of the riders as the level and complexity of the exercises and movements increase.

Dressage classes in competition sport: Classes, stars and evaluation focus

In show jumping, the requirements are divided into difficulty classes, similar to show jumping.

Everyone starts small. That's why even the youngest riders can start at the show with lead rein class competitions and rider competitions. The requirements are manageable, but allow the very young riders in particular to develop a feel for the course of a tournament.

The very young riders start with ponies in the lead rein competition. A second person (usually the proud mothers or fathers) leads the pony by the lead rope. These competitions are the highlight for the whole family, especially at smaller shows, because of the high cuteness factor. The ponies are specially dressed up and the little riders peek out excitedly from under their helmets. As everyone usually wins and receives small prizes, there are no tears and the fun is great.

The next level is the riding competition. Here the focus is on the handling of the pony/horse. The rider's safe and harmonious seat is assessed, as well as the correct mounting at the trot and the correct riding of the figures.

Building on this, the actual dressage classes begin, starting with the E beginner class and ending with the advanced class. The division into dressage rider and dressage horse tests is important here. There are dressage tests for young horses in dressage classes A, L and M and are intended for young horses.

Evaluation criteria for dressage horse tests

The focus here is on the horse. The extent to which the horse's level of training meets the requirements of the dressage classes is assessed.

• Step
  Beat, diligence, spatial grip, relaxed striding
• Trot
  beat, suppleness, elasticity, impulsion, back action, ground coverage, willingness to collect
• Canter
  Beat, suppleness, elasticity, balance, impulsion, spatial grip, uphill tendency, willingness to collect‍
• Permeability
  Looseness, contact, straightness, obedience, self-carriage‍
• Overall impression
  Perspective as a dressage horse, level of training based on the training scale

Evaluation criteria for dressage tests

The focus here is on the rider: how the aids are given and the effect of the rider's seat. Fine communication with the horse and a harmonious overall picture are assessed.

‍Dressage seat
Seat foundation, balance, suppleness, suppleness and response to movement

• Swinging along in the middle pose
• Observing the leg position
• Shoulder area
  Head and hand position

Influencing dressage riding
Giving aids, interaction of aids and effectiveness of aids

• Feeling
• Influence of the rider on the fulfillment of the required lessons
• incl. correct execution of hoof beats and tempi

Dressage classes and their classifications with stars

It's not about getting the stars from the sky, but about growing into the next higher class. The more stars a test has, the more challenging it is to ride it.
Example: In the A* class, the lesson "lengthen the strides" is required, in the A** class it is already the center trot. The differences are explained explicitly in the next section.

In the A-M classes, 1 to 2 stars are available, in the most difficult dressage class at national level it even goes from S* to S**** (1 to 4 stars). The levels of difficulty increase, for example, for flying changes and canter pirouettes.

‍Thedressage classes at a glance: E - A - L - M - S

‍E-simple/ E-dressage :

The E class is the entry level in dressage riding and is intended for dressage beginners. The basics of dressage, such as walk, trot and canter, hoof paces, simple turns and voltes are required here. Grading is based on the rideability of the horse and the rider's seat.

You can find instructional videos, tasks and exercises for basic dressage training in our Academy: "Basic training".
‍Youcan learn everything about basic work, keeping your horse healthy while riding, aids, contact and much more.

A beginner / A dressage: 

The A class builds on the requirements of the previous class.
The following new lessons have been added

A*
- lengthen strides & jumps
- reduce and enlarge arena
- 10m volte
- overstriding

A**
- medium trot & medium canter
- backing up,
- simple walk/canter transitions
- chewing the reins out of the hand

Class A - Everything you need to know | Dressage exercises by ClipMyHorse.TV Academy | A-Dressage

You can find more class A videos in our Academy: "Dressage class A". Whether it's the first steps of leg yielding or walk/canter transitions, you'll find everything you need to know about novice dressage.

L-light / L-dressage: ‍

Criteria: Straightness, beginning collection

The L class is a little more demanding and requires a relatively high level of precision from the rider, as well as obedience, suppleness and collection from the horse. The horse must stand correctly on the aids and be able to stand and bend correctly. Outside canter, serpentines and elements such as traversals and collected canter are also required. In addition, some dressage tests in this class can already be ridden on a curb bit.

L*
‍-8m volte
- outside canter
- short turn

L**
- traversal
- shoulder-in

L-dressage tests can be ridden in very different ways. Most take place in 20x40m arenas, but some can also be ridden in 20x60m arenas.

Tasks and exercises for elementary class dressage can be found in our Academy: "Dressage class L". If you would like to know how to ride a traversal, shoulder-in or turn out of a corner, take a look at our Dressage Academy and improve your dressage exercises.

‍‍‍Mmedium/ M dressage :

The requirements increase further in the M class.
Strong trot and canter are added, as well as all lateral gaits, walk pirouettes and flying changes.
Important criterion: carrying power and collection

‍M*
- Strong trot & canter
- Shoulder rein, renvers & half travers
- Single flying changes

M**
- Walk piourette
- Canter travers
- Traversal shift

The tests are announced for 20x40 or 20x60 squares, on snaffle and double bridle.

Tasks and exercises for medium dressage can be found in our Academy: "Dressage class M".

‍S level/ advanced dressage:

The S class is the highest class in national dressage sport. In addition to the previous lessons from the M class, demanding lessons such as piaffe, passage, single and double changes as well as complete pirouettes in canter are required.

The international classes such as the "Prix St. Georges" (PSG), "Intermediaire" (I and II) and "Grand Prix" (GP) include the highest levels of difficulty and are ridden at international competitions and Olympic Games. The advanced class can consist of one task or be ridden as a freestyle.

• S = St. George
• S* = Intermediaire I
• S** = Intermediaire II
• S*** = Grand Prix
• S**** = Grand Prix Special

Tasks and exercises for advanced dressage can be found in our Academy: "Dressage class S". For example, we explain how to train impulsion, contact and expression in advanced level dressage. But we also cover everything from series changes and canter traversals to collection and piourette training.

‍Theinternational dressage classes at a glance

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Well-known dressage riders in dressage sport

For many decades, Germany has been one of the leading nations in dressage sport and a safe bet for medals in international competitions. Here is a small selection of former and active dressage riders in alphabetical order: 

• ‍KlausBalkenhol
• Harry Boldt
• Uta Gräf
• Ingrid Klimke
• Reiner Klimke
• Christoph Koschel
• Helen Langehanenberg
• Liselott Linsenhoff
• Josef Neckermann
• Sönke Rothenberger
• Dorothee Schneider
• Hubertus Schmidt
• Willi Schultheis
• Kristina Sprehe,
• Monica Theodorescu
• Nicole Uphoff-Selke
• Jessica von Bredow-Werndl
• Isabell Werth‍

The fascination of dressage riding

The path from remonte to a well-ridden dressage horse is long, often has many ups and downs, costs a lot of sweat, tears and heart and soul. But that is what makes dressage riding so unique: it is a passion, a passion, the pursuit of lightness, the special partnership between horse and rider, the development of a unique harmonious relationship and dialog at eye level.

A respectful attitude is an important basic requirement for the training of a horse. This doesn't just begin in the saddle, but starts with the horse's husbandry, the species-appropriate basic needs of the horse for exercise, fresh air and free movement, social contact and sensible food. Positive reinforcement during training - for example through praise and breaks - helps to make training together pleasant and meaningful for both the rider and the horse.

Riding, especially dressage, also has special benefits for the rider.
It trains agility, coordination, fine motor skills and sensitivity. Without these, it is not possible to be one with the horse's movements, to refine your aids, to ride sensitively rather than with power. Dressage riding is therefore a very demanding physical training for horse and rider.

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Further development of dressage riding, fairness and respect

Overall, dressage faces the challenge of balancing sport/competition and ethics. While the fascination for the discipline remains undiminished and the beauty of the harmonious collaboration between horse and rider is admired, it is crucial that the sport of dressage continues to evolve to meet the highest standards of equine welfare. The discussions and efforts currently underway to reinforce ethical principles and promote horse-friendly riding are an important step in the right direction. Through a combination of education, training and a clear commitment to fairness and respect, the dressage world can ensure that the art and athleticism of the discipline is in harmony with the needs and welfare of horses.

Dressage, a fascinating equestrian discipline, combines aesthetics, precision and harmony between horse and rider. As one of the oldest equestrian sports, dressage has a rich history and is now an important part of many international equestrian events. Over the years, dressage has evolved with the ethics and welfare of the horse at its core. The training principles emphasize the partnership between man and animal and the constant development of skills and abilities.

But there has been a lot of criticism and negative examples recently, scenes that no horse lover wants to see. These controversies have prompted the dressage world to pay more attention to ethical standards and the welfare of horses. Discussions on training principles are being held to ensure that the principles of fairness, respect and partnership remain firmly anchored in the sport of dressage.