Scales of training ??????

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joben

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Following on from P_G's post, am I the only one that has never even heard of this term? I was born in '73, grew up through PC, was in the GB Junior event team 1991 and produced 2 horses to 3* level but I've never heard the term! Of course I understand the importance of all the things on the list. When did this term arise and who uses it? Is it mainly a pure dressage trainers term?
 
Here you are: click me!
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I think (but stand to be corrected) that the idea of the 'training scales' is German in origin and the scales are described in the German Equestrian Federation's Handbook - The Principles of Riding.
 
Its what the dressage judges are supposed to mark the test on. And before anyone says anything different its what it says in the BD magazine, its not just something I have dreamt up.
 
it's based on the German system. however, it is a little open to debate/interpretation... some people (me included) think that concentrating a bit on straightness earlier on isn't a bad thing, for example... i'm saying this tentatively cos i don't want to get shot down in flames or quoted as "the person who thinks the Scales of Training are Wrong"...;)
 
Yes Kerril there are many long running debates over the scales of training and in which exact order they should go.

I've got a fun scales of training for the rider at home to, will try and find it and post it.
 
I am in the same boat as you, first I heard of these was reading Klimke a few years ago, It's probs a useful framework, and there are such inconsistencies in judging and training that something is better than nothing.
I've had numerous lessons over the years with GP trainers/riders and not one has ever used the phrase to me or indicated that it's a system they adhere to
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It's a new development as part of judging as far as I know, only in the last year or two, so no wonder it's new to many people.
 
As the Scales of Training/Walk & Trot Tests thread below has highlighted, those in the link posted by me above are the German scales of training. Those referred to by BD are the same except with the first two stages reversed:

Rhythm
Suppleness
Contact
Impulsion
Straightness
Collection

(I believe "relaxation" and "suppleness" are basically the same but are actually inadequate translations of "losgelassenheit" - which I think is a great word that should be banded around more often!
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the trouble is, i think it's too prescriptive, trying to make an art and a feel into a definite 1,2,3, system... too solid to apply to a living animal with 1000 different variables. oh, i'm not putting this very well, but i hope someone can see what i mean!
 
I know what you mean and personally I have no problem in shuffling the stages around a bit and I don't think it should be fixed that you must perfect one before moving on, for example now my girlie's straighter all the stages preceding straightness have also improved. I do think it is a good method for judges to employ and a helpful way to understand what is necessary and required e.g. you can't have true impulsion without contact, true collection without everything else etc.
 
dont feel like you are dim. though this term has been in use in europe for ages, as it is the literal translation of the german trainiing system , BD only twigged in the last five years cos when i started training as a dressage judge it was never mentioned. i did some training in my youth in germany so i already knew but if i hadnt of i wouldnt of had a clue either!!
 
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