How to Create a Dressage Course for a Horse

A dressage test employs a series of movements that challenge the horse's flexibility, endurance, impulsion and consistency. Each movement is separately rated between zero and 10 based on the pair's performance. Dressage tests are only effective when they include movements that the horse is physically capable of completing. Pushing a horse too fast for his training level can result in injury and disobedience. However, creating a dressage test from scratch allows the rider to advance the horse at his pace.

Things You'll Need

  • Graph paper
  • Colored markers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Draw a large rectangle on one sheet of graph paper. A small dressage arena measures 20 meters by 40 meters, so choose a corresponding scale. Leave 1 inch of space around the rectangle.

    • 2

      Add letters around the outside of the dressage arena. The horse will enter the arena at "A", which is the center of one of the short sides of the arena. Place the letters "K," "E," "H," "C," "M," "B" and "F" clockwise around the rectangle, with "C" opposite from "A." The letter "X" goes in the center of the arena.

    • 3

      Divide a separate sheet of graph paper in half. On the top portion, write a list of dressage movements, such as walk, rising trot, sitting trot, canter, extended gaits, collected gaits, circles and lateral work. On the bottom portion, write out the numbers one to 10, leaving space between each number. Movements such as circles and leg yields may be performed more than once.

    • 4

      Write the dressage entry movement next to the first number. Specify whether the rider should halt at X and salute the judge. Dressage entry movements always begin by walking, trotting or cantering down the center line of the arena (AX), then tracking right or left at C. Subsequent movements might include a 20-meter circle at E, for example, which means to create a circle with E as the trotting point and X as the opposite point, ending exactly where the circle started.

    • 5

      Add the additional nine steps. Keep track of where the horse is moving in the arena by designating the letters at which the rider will initiate each movement. For example, you might write, "20-meter circle at C" or "Half-pass left, FX." Multiple letters indicate movement from one part of the arena to another.

    • 6

      Write down a change of direction (e.g. MXK) as the final step. Then add nine more steps, reversing the same course followed in the second through the 10th step. A balanced dressage test includes all movements performed in both directions, which means in this sample test, you will have 20 total steps. The final step in the complete test will be a return up the center line to X.

    • 7

      Draw the dressage test on the graph paper with the arena. Use colored markers and arrows to show how and where the horse should proceed. For example, a red marker and a dotted line might indicate a collected trot. You can include all steps on the same diagram, or you can create multiple diagrams to avoid excessive overlap.

    • 8

      Ride the dressage test. Make adjustments based on transitions and timing. It is sometimes necessary to rearrange steps to improve the flow of the test.