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Phase One

The Dressage Phase

Grace, harmony and precision — the dressage phase is where the art of driving is on full display.

The dressage phase is the first of the three phases in combined driving and is often described as the artistic heart of the sport. Where the marathon tests bravery and athleticism and the cones phase demands precision under fatigue, dressage asks a more fundamental question: how well do horse and driver truly understand each other?

A well-executed dressage test is a genuinely beautiful thing to watch. The horse moves with energy and purpose yet appears totally relaxed. The driver sits quietly, seemingly doing very little, yet the horse responds instantly and softly to the most subtle aids. It is the product of patient, sympathetic training and genuine partnership.

Dressage arena carriage driving
The Arena

The Dressage Arena Explained

The standard driving dressage arena is 100 metres long by 40 metres wide — considerably larger than a ridden dressage arena to accommodate the turning circle of a carriage. It is marked with lettered boards at specific intervals around the perimeter, mirroring the ridden dressage system.

The letters — A, K, E, H, C, M, B, F and X (the centre point) — mark the positions at which specific movements begin and end. Judges sit at C (the far end) and at the sides, scoring each movement independently. Memorising where the letters fall and what your test requires at each marker is an essential part of preparation.

The arena surface should be level and consistent. At top events it may be sand or rubber chip, but at many club events it will be grass — which requires the driver to judge the going carefully, particularly in wet conditions when a carriage can leave ruts and affect the horse's balance on turns.

Procedure

How a Dressage Test Unfolds

  1. Entering the Arena

    The test begins when the judge's bell or horn signals you to enter. You approach at A (the near end) and proceed down the centre line in working trot. This first movement sets the tone for the entire test — straightness, rhythm and impulsion on the centre line tell the judges a great deal about horse and driver.

  2. Saluting the Judges

    Halting at X (the centre), the driver removes their hat and bows to the judges at C. This traditional salute is a mark of respect for the judges and the sport. The horse must stand square and still — fidgeting, pawing or moving during the halt will cost marks.

  3. Performing the Movements

    The test then proceeds through a series of prescribed movements — circles, changes of rein, pace transitions, rein-back and special movements depending on the level. Each movement is judged separately for accuracy (was it performed at the right letter?), quality (how well was it executed?) and harmony between horse and driver.

  4. Final Halt and Salute

    The test concludes with a final centre line and halt at X, followed by another salute to the judges. You then leave the arena at walk on a long rein — a final moment that still counts, as a horse that immediately falls apart when the pressure is lifted tells its own story.

Core Movements

Key Dressage Movements

These are the movements most commonly found in driving dressage tests from novice through to advanced level.

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Working Trot
The baseline trot pace — active, forward-going and balanced. The horse should move with energy from behind without rushing or losing rhythm. Most tests are performed primarily in working trot.
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Extended Trot
Maximum ground cover with lengthened steps. The horse's hind feet should overstep the prints of its forefeet. Power must come from the hindquarters, not just a quickening of pace.
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Collected Trot
More elevated, shorter steps with greater engagement of the hindquarters. The horse carries more weight behind, freeing the forehand. Requires significant training to execute correctly.
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Rein-Back
The horse steps backwards in a straight line, in diagonal pairs. A demanding movement that tests obedience and training. The carriage must remain perfectly straight throughout.
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Circles
Circles of prescribed diameter — typically 20 metres at novice level, reducing to 8 metres at higher levels. The horse must bend evenly through the body and maintain consistent rhythm throughout.
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Transitions
Changes of pace — walk to trot, trot to walk, trot to halt — must be smooth, prompt and performed exactly at the prescribed letter. Abrupt, resistant or late transitions are heavily penalised.
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Halt
The horse must stand completely square and immobile for several seconds. All four feet level, horse attentive but relaxed, driver sitting still. A difficult movement that exposes tension in the horse.
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Salute
A traditional formality at the beginning and end of each test. The driver removes their hat and bows. Marks are awarded for the halt on which the salute is made — so the horse must stand square.
Scoring

How Dressage is Judged

Each movement in a driving dressage test is scored on a scale of 0 to 10, where 10 is excellent and 0 means not performed. Scores of 7 or above represent genuinely good work; 5 is sufficient; below 4 indicates significant problems.

In addition to individual movement scores, judges award collective marks at the end of the test for: the horse's paces (freedom, regularity and activity); impulsion (desire to move forward, elasticity); submission (obedience, lightness and harmony); and the driver's position, accuracy and correct use of the whip.

Penalty points can also be incurred for specific errors: going off course (5 penalties), error of test (2 penalties on first occasion), taking the wrong rein (2 penalties), and other technical infringements. In combined driving, dressage scores are converted to penalty points — lower scores in dressage mean fewer penalties on the overall scoreboard.

Advice

Tips for Dressage Success

Dressage Practice at Home

The single most effective way to improve your dressage scores is consistent, quality schooling at home. Even 20–30 minutes of focused arena work three or four times a week, concentrating on rhythm, straightness and softness of transition, will produce measurable improvement within a month. Record your sessions on video — what feels good from the box often looks different from the ground. Share video with your coach between lessons for additional feedback.