Letters in the school.....

[scheffings]

Something that I have been wondering for a while is why the letters around riding arenas are the letters they are. ABCDEF etc would have been much simpler! Does anyone know what the history behind the letters is?

Thanks

 

[Roskilly]

Don't know why the letters are where they are but a friend thought that the letters moved around the arena according to the dressage test her child was doing. lol

 

[carys220]

There is speculation as to why these letters were chosen. Most commonly it is believed because the German cavalry had a 20 x 60 meter area in between the barracks which had the letters posted above the doors and it has just carried on from them days....

 

[brighteyes]

Try here

 

[wizzi901]

The letters originated from the names of the guards in germany that used to be at that location in the school....

ARENA LETTERING


The dressage letters came about because it seems that in the old Imperial German Court the walls of the Royal Mews were initially marked with letters indicating where each Courtier and/or rider’s horse was to stand awaiting its rider. Royal protocols were in place so the King’ horse would be placed so that the King would not have to walk too far or pass other horses before mounting.

ie:

K KAISER = KING (Left of entrance)

F FUERST = PRINCE(Right of entrance)

V VASSAL = VASSEL (Left of K)

P PFERDENECHT = OSTLER (Opposite V)

E EDELING/
EHRENGAST =GUEST OF HONOUR ( Centre
left)

B BANNERTRAEGER = STANDARD BEARER (Opposite E)

S SCHATZKANZLER =CHANCELLOR OF EXCHEQUER (Left E)

R RITTER = KNIGHT (Opposite S)

H HOFMARSCHALL = LORD CHANCELLOR(Left of S)

M MEIER =STEWARD (Opposite H)


Over time the protocol followed in the Mews was used for schooling and training in the Indoor Schools.