From: gale@chrysos.Eng.Sun.COM (Gale Snow)
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Subject: Re: Basic Dressage Question
Date: 27 Jan 1993 19:08:44 GMT
Organization: Sun
NNTP-Posting-Host: chrysos

In article <C1Iw2B.6Gs@spk.hp.com> cicarell@spk.hp.com (Collen Cicarell) writes:
>
>Okay, I will really be revealing my ignorance here, but what do the different
>levels in Dressage mean?

from the ahsa rule book:
the purpose of the ahsa dressage levels:
training level:
to confirm that the horse has received proper dressage training as a
result of which its muscles are supple and loose, it moves freely forward
in clear and steady rhythm, accepting the bit.
requirements: 20m circles in trot and canter, serpentine in trot, free walk
on long rein, 15m circles in trot
first level:
to confirm that the horse, having demonstrated that it has achieved
the standard of the training level, has developed thrust (pushing power).
requirements: 10m half circles in trot, lengthen stride in trot, 15m circles
in canter, 10m circles in canter, lengthen stride in canter, leg yield in trot,
change of lead thru trot, 10m serpentine in canter / counter canter.
second level:
to confirm that the horse, having demonstrated that it has
achieved the thrust (pushing power) required in the first level, now shows
that through additional training it accepts more weight on the hind quarters
(collection) and shows the thrust required at medium paces.  a greater degree
of straightness, bending and self-carriage is required than at first level.
requirements: shoulder-in in trot, rein back, 8m circles in trot, 20m
serpentine in canter / counter canter, simple change of lead, travers, half
turn on haunches.
third level:
to confirm that the horse has achieved the requirements of the training, first,
and second levels.  it now demonstrates in each movement, especially in medium
and extended paces and in the transitions to and from collected movements,
rhythm, suppleness, acceptance of the bit, impulsion, straightness and
collection.  there must be a clear distinction between the paces.
requirements: half pass in trot, half pirouette in walk, half pass in canter,
flying change of lead.
fourth level:
these are tests of medium difficulty designed to confirm that the horse has
acquired a high degree of suppleness, impulsion, balance and lightness while
always remaining reliably on the bit, and that its movements are straight,
energetic and cadenced with the transitions precise and smooth.
requirements: serpentine in canter with flying changes of lead, 8m circles in
canter, flying changes of lead every 4th stride, half pirouette in canter,
flying changes of lead every 3rd stride.
fifth level:
to provide an alternative and approximate equivalent test to the fei prix st.
georges, intermediare 1, intermediare 2, and grand prix.
requirements: 6m volte in trot, "swing"**, pirouettes in canter, flying changes
of lead every 2nd stride, flying changes of lead every stride, piaffe, passage.

**swing - counter changes of hand in half pass to either side of the center
line with flying changes of lead at each change of direction.

>Also, how is it scored?
there are tests, usually 4 for each level, available from the ahsa with a
number of prescribed movements that are performed for a judge in competition.
each movement receives a score from 0-10.  there is also a section of
collective scores on the rider's position, the horse's gaits and submission.
these are scored with double coefficients.  anyway the percentage score is
figured by (total points received)/(total points possible).

ahsa = american horse shows association

gale snow
c'est jolie and jaseroque