In modern dressage competition, successful training at the various levels is demonstrated through the performance of " tests ", prescribed series of movements ridden within a standard arena.

Each has letters assigned to positions around the arena for dressage tests to specify where movements are to be performed.

The small arena is 20 m by 40 m ( 66x131 ft ), and is used for the lower levels of eventing in the dressage phase, as well as for the USDF Introductory tests and the USEF Training Level tests.

Standard dressage arena, 20 m by 60 m ( 66x197 ft )

The standard arena is 20 m by 60 m ( 66x197 ft ), and is used for tests in both dressage ( USEF First Level and above ) and eventing.

The standard dressage arena letters are A-K-V-E-S-H-C-M-R-B-P-F. ( There is speculation as to why these letters were chosen.

The dressage phase ( held first ) consists of an exact sequence of movements ridden in an enclosed arena ( 20 × 60 m for International 3DE but usually 20 × 40 m for ODE ).

Facilities include a lighted synthetic multipurpose turf field surrounded by an eight-lane track with a nine-lane straightaway ; Kendall Sports and Dance Complex housing a swimming pool and separate diving well ; gymnasium with basketball, volleyball, and badminton courts ; weight room ; cardiovascular area ; field house with indoor track and tennis courts ; squash courts ; racquetball courts ; and three studios for dance, aerobics, yoga, and other activities ; The Orchards, an 18-hole golf course designed by Donald Ross ( home to the 2004 U. S. Women's Open ); and a 60-stall Equestrian Center with two indoor arenas ( 100 ' x 256 ' and 70 ' x 130 '), an outdoor show ring, permanent fibar dressage arena, outdoor cross-country courses, and a boathouse finished for Spring 2010.

It contains an outdoor show, dressage, indoor and indoor therapy arena.

* Soft-terrain sports like polo, dressage, arena work ( equitation, reining, cutting ), and pleasure riding are most suitable

There is room for stabling up to 80 horses on school grounds as well as a dressage arena, a full-sized showjumping arena, 1200m all weather canter track and a cross-country course.

Thus, powerful but refined breeds such as the Andalusian or the Lusitano developed in the Iberian peninsula as riding horses that also had a great aptitude for dressage, while heavy draft horses such as the Clydesdale and the Shire developed out of a need to perform demanding farm work and pull heavy wagons.

Double bridles are usually seen in the top levels of dressage, but also are seen in certain types of show hack and Saddle seat competition.

Show jumping, also known as " stadium jumping ," " open jumping ," or " jumpers ," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation.

In addition to marks for the dressage movements, marks are also awarded for more general attributes such as the horse's gaits, submission, impulsion and the rider ’ s performance.

Scribing ( also known as Penciling ) is the writing down of the scores and comments of Judges at dressage events, so that the Judge can concentrate on the performance.

Figure-eight ( also called Grackle ) nosebands are not allowed in pure dressage, however they are allowed in the dressage phase of eventing.

Eventing ( also known as horse trials ) is an equestrian event where a single horse and rider combination compete against other combinations across the three disciplines of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping.

Breastplates are also fairly common in dressage at an event, despite the fact that they are not seen at regular dressage shows.

They are also used in competitive sports including, but not limited to, dressage, endurance riding, eventing, reining, show jumping, tent pegging, vaulting, polo, horse racing, driving, and rodeo.

The breed is also seen in dressage, and their excellent temperaments make them good trail riding and ranch horses.

There are also " simulation sites " where the webpage attempts to simulate a real-life discipline, such as horse dressage or pedigree dog showing.

They are also occasionally seen in other disciplines including dressage, hunter / jumper, and western riding.

" Hunt type " or sport horse classes include dressage, show jumping and show hunters, Eventing ( also called horse trials ), and English pleasure or Hunter Under Saddle, also known as a " flat " class, where the event is judged on presentation, manners and rideability of the horse ).

This origin also points out why, according to most Classical dressage trainers, every healthy horse, regardless of its breed, can perform classical dressage movements, including the Haute Ecole jumps, or Airs above the ground, even though it may perform them a little differently from the ideal performance due to the build of its body.

It is also believed by some that competitive dressage does not always reward the most correctly trained horse and rider, especially at the lower levels.

When a horse is advanced in its training, it can perform not only Grand Prix dressage movements such as collected and extended gaits, passage and piaffe, but some can also perform certain " Airs Above the Ground ," although usually a horse will only be trained in one air, and only if it is particularly able.

There are independent classical dressage trainers who also endeavor to keep this branch of the art alive, including the Portuguese riding master Nuno Oliveira and his students, Bent Branderup and the American clinician, Paul Belasik.

New Forest ponies are also used today for gymkhanas, show jumping, cross-country, dressage, driving, and eventing.

He also participated in the 1999 world championship where he finished third in the team test, individual dressage and freestyle to music.

The saddle has a flat seat and no knee support ; the rider adopting a forward-leaning seat and closed knees dissimilar to a classical dressage seat.

Although the discipline has ancient roots in Europe, dressage was first recognized as an important equestrian pursuit during the Renaissance.

If the dressage rider has long hair, it is typically worn in a bun with a hair net or show bow.

Since then, correct dressage training has become increasingly important should a horse and rider wish to be placed ( complete all sections, and finish in the top 12 ).

This has since raised the standard even further in the dressage phase.

Each registry has a slightly different focus, but most breed primarily for show jumping and dressage, though many include combined driving and eventing as well.

Classical dressage evolved from cavalry movements and training for the battlefield, and has since developed into the competitive dressage seen today.

The Oldenburg has become particularly successful in dressage, owing much of its continued success to sires like Donnerhall and now Sandro Hit, who top the rankings in the production of dressage horses.

The Portuguese state has maintained ownership of the stud, and continues to produce horses for use in high school dressage.

Since the turn of the millennium, Dutch Warmblood breeding has shifted from breeding a " riding horse " to further specialization into dressage type and jumper type horses.

In both cases, the root word featured spelling with an " o " and emphasize lengthening and extension, so although always pronounced " lungeing ", the traditional spelling of the word in English is " longeing ", and this spelling has been used by the majority of past dressage masters, and remains in use by traditional horsemanship organizations in the United States such as the United States Pony Clubs.

The Australian Stock Horse Crown Law has represented Australia in World Championship and Olympic dressage competition.

The horse has an elasticity and free swing of its shoulder, enabling extension of stride that is needed in dressage and jumping.

* Crank noseband or Swedish Cavesson: used most often on dressage horses at levels where a double bridle is worn, this noseband is similar to the plain cavesson except it has a leveraged buckle design that may be adjusted very tight, so as to keep the horse's mouth closed.

The sport has three phases: dressage, cross-country marathon and obstacle cone driving, and is most similar to the mounted equestrian sport of eventing.