Dressage tests and training scale

[UKa]

I was just wondering- what level of the traditional training scale applies to what level of dressage? For example, would I be expected to show contact at Intro level or is it a test of rythm and suppleness mainly? I was wondering as clearly collection can’t be expected from a green horse so how do levels line up? Any insights?

 

[nikkimariet]

All of them apply in varying degrees.

You cannot have straightness without suppleness. You can’t have impulsion without rhythm. You can’t have impulsion without suppleness. You can’t have straightness without rhythm.

Contact = connection (and acceptance of).

Collection = engagement and balance.

And those two (imho) bring it all together. You could have a straight rhythmical test but it needs an improved contact/connection. You could have a lovely supple horse showing plenty of implulsion, but lacking collection etc.

Even at intro you would expect a balance connected walk/trot/halt/circle/transition.

There is more weighting on collection the higher up the dressage ladder you go, sure, but the scales of training are present throughout every level.

 

[SEL]

Our right canter has been an issue so last year we focused on Intro. Judges are marking accuracy, rhythm and consistent contact - we were marked down the other week because he got a bit snatchy towards the end. Still a decent mark because I'm accurate and I keep him moving forward into a nice rhythm.

Some of them have picked up we aren't as supple on the left rein too. That's generally better at home but shows up more if he's a bit tense.

Interestingly I got permission for a RC comp to take my little cob in her hackamore for Intro A. I rarely lose accuracy marks so judge got to be very picky and told me I needed to get her off her left shoulder & onto her right hind. She was spot on from a biomechanics perspective - hoof wear shows the overload onto that left fore. Marks were good because the pony moves nicely and stays in a steady rhythm and was pretty well balanced on the circles / turns.

 

[daffy44]

If it helps think of it as more circular than linear, as described above in the 2nd post, the scales feed into each other, they dont really apply in isolation. Of course the level of collection asked in an Intro is vastly different to that required in a Grand Prix, but each level asks the appropriate amount in order to do the relevant movements with ease and fluency.