Dressage is about showing the judge that you can get your pony to do what you want him to do, when you want him to do it.

You and your pony have to follow a set of instructions laid out in the dressage test.

A judge marks the test. They give you a mark out of ten for how well you carry out each instruction. At the end of the test the marks are added up and the winner is the horse and rider with the highest score!

How Do I Start?

The good new is that you have probably already started doing some Dressage!

When you are riding at home and getting the pony to do the things that you want him to do you are already practising the basics of dressage.
To improve you and your pony, you might want to have lessons with an instructor. This includes the lessons that you have at a rally, where you will get help with your riding which will make the pony behave better.

Can I Do More?

As you and your pony get better and your confidence grows you may want to take part in a competition.If you cannot remember your dressage test, don’t worry as someone can read the test out loud to you.
With lots of practice and competition experience you may get to compete at an Area Competition!

If you should do well at the Area competition you may qualify for the Championships. Older members would qualify for The Pony Club National Dressage Championships whilst younger or less experienced members would qualify for The Novice Championships.

Dressage To Music

This is a fun competition that anyone can try. You ride a dressage test along to music. The test has to include walk, trot and canter on both reins but you can choose what order to put them in.

You are given marks out of ten for each movement like in a normal dressage competition.Extra marks out of ten are given for how interesting your test is and how well the music goes with it.

Dressage to music can be done in pairs too! Marks out of ten are given by the judge for how well the ponies perform the test together. It helps to have to two ponies that are similar sizes.

Maybe you and a friend could have a go, Get Practising!