Dressage

Getting started
SEG runs all levels of dressage competitions, from 2** official competitions to associate competitions, members days and training days. Our Calendar of Events has the full list of events planned for the year. Everyone interested in dressage should read the Equestrian Australia dressage rules.

• Training days
  Training days are the least formal dressage days that SEG runs. A training day gives you the opportunity to ride a test, read the judge's marks and comments and speak to the judge about areas for improvement. You can then ride your test again to work on those areas. You don't have to wear a jacket or stock shirt at training days, a neat polo shirt is fine. You need to be an SEG member to attend an SEG training day. You don't need to be a member of Equestrian Australia.
  
• Members days
  Members days are similar to associate competitions, but are for members only and tend to be less formal. At a members dressage day, you ride a test in front of an official judge. After you ride the test, you can discuss with the judge and learn more about areas for improvement. As for training days, at members days you don't have to wear a jacket or stock shirt, a neat polo shirt is fine. You need to be an SEG member to attend an SEG member day. You don't need to be a member of Equestrian Australia.
  
• Associate competitions
  To compete at an SEG associate competition you either need to be an SEG member or a current member of Equestrian Australia. 
  
• Official competitions
  When you are ready to start competing in official competitions, you will need to be a current member of Equestrian Australia. Your horse will also need to be registered with Equestrian Australia and have a dressage performance card. If you don't own the horse, the owner of the horse must also be a current Equestrian Australia member. Equestrian Australia membership is managed through each State Branch - for Queenslanders, this is managed through Equestrian Queensland with membership information available here.

How to enter a competition

Choose an event from the Calendar of Events section of this website and download the competition schedule. The schedule gives you all the information you need, such as the date of the competition, along with the tests used in each class, entry fees and closing date for entries. SEG uses online nominations for all competition entries.

Test sheets are available for download from the Equestrian Australia website or the SEG tests page

What you need to wear
Some riders think they need to spend a fortune on expensive gear to compete in dressage. This is not the case. The basics that you will need include: 

• An approved safety helmet
• White, off white, light canary or beige breeches or jodhpurs
• A light-coloured shirt with a stock tie (a neat polo shirt is sufficient for SEG members days and training days) 
• Leather or rubber riding boots, either long or short. You can wear plain gaiters with short boots as long as they match the colour of the boots which must be black or brown. The exposed side of the gaiter must be full leather
• Gloves
• A short riding jacket (usually a dark colour such as navy or black). In hot weather the wearing of riding jackets is optional at the discretion of SEG organisers. A riding jacket is not required at SEG members days and training days 
• Spurs are allowed at all levels and are compulsory at the higher levels. The Equestrian Australia dressage rules show the types of spurs allowed
• Whips are allowed but must not exceed 1.2 metres in its entirety including the tassel.

Your horse

Dressage suits all types of horses, from Pony Dressage for ponies 14.2 hands and under to the bigger horses. Horses and ponies must be over 3 years of age. To compete in associate competitions your horse does not have to be registered with the Equestrian Australia. For official competitions horses must be registered with Equestrian Australia and have a dressage performance card.

 

Saddlery

Safety is the most important consideration when it comes to selecting your dressage gear.

• A English type (including dressage or all purpose) saddle fully mounted is compulsory and can be worn with our without a saddle cloth or numnah
• A snaffle must be used in all levels up to Elementary. See the Equestrian Australia Dressage Rules for permitted bits
• For all SEG events, you will be allocated a competitor number which must be attached to either side of the bridle or the saddlecloth
• Boots, including overreach boots, and bandages may be used for warming up, but must be removed before presenting the gear steward
• The following is not allowed: blinkers, hoods, bit guards, bearing, running or balancing reins, nasal strips
• Other gear such as running martingale (with snaffle bridle) ear muffs, saddle covers, double bridle are allowed in warm up/exercise areas but not in the competition area.

For a full list of gear that is permitted or not permitted, see the Equestrian Australia dressage rules.

 

On the day of the event

Remember to take the time draw with you and place it somewhere where you can easily refer to it. Plan your arrival and travel plans accordingly so you arrive allowing plenty of time to get ready. It's a good idea to check at Gear Check when you arrive to enquire about any changes to the time draw. SEG will make every effort to contact you to let you know about any major changes to the event and will post this information on the website and our Facebook page.

• Check which arena your test is in, where the warm arenas and lunging areas are. Follow the etiquette for warming up information below and remember to wear your gloves
• Keep an eye on your watch, as it is up to you to be at the arena at the right time, and remember to remove any boots and bandages before you present to the gear check steward
• You are welcome to ask a friend to video your performance and you can also have someone read out your test, sometimes referred to as a caller, who shouldn’t stand too close to the judge
• You are allowed to ride around the outside of the arena for a short while before you begin your test. This is allowed when the horse before you has left the arena. Never ride too close to the arena while another horse is competing as it could upset both the horse and rider which would be unfair
• The judge will sound a horn or ring a bell to tell you to start and you have up to 45 seconds to make your way around to enter the arena at A 
• If you go wrong, the judge will sound the horn. Don’t panic, as you will only lose marks for that one movement. Stop as soon as possible. If you know where you have gone wrong, raise your hand and return to the start of that movement. If you are not sure, ride towards the judge, who will tell you where you went wrong and where to restart. If you have a problem with the horse and would like to retire, let the judge know
• Once you have put your horse away, check your marks on the scoreboard. Your test sheets can be collected about ½hr after the end of the class and it is wise to check the adding up of the scores. If they are wrong, you must point it out to the SEG Event Organisers immediately (we all make mistakes, so please be polite). If you can’t wait to collect your sheets, you can leave a stamped addressed envelope to have them sent on. Judges are often around the scoreboard after the class has finished. Do feel you can ask them questions to help you learn
• Although dressage is an extremely exacting sport, remember to enjoy the day and that everyone, even top riders, make mistakes. If you feel you would like more help, check the EFA web site to locate an EFA Accredited Coach near you.

Warm-up and lunging area etiquette:

Separate warm-up area and lunging areas will be provided for competition days. For the consideration of other riders and to prevent accidents, it is customary to practice the following conduct in the warm-up area:-

• You should always give way to the horse at the higher gait (faster horse) 
• When approaching head to head you should pass the other rider on your left
• Make tack adjustments outside the arena if possible or near the middle of the arena but without obstructing the diagonal or centre lines
• Do not halt or walk in the outside track but always leave room for other riders to pass
• Do not lunge in the warm-up riding area. Use the separated designated lunging areas on the grounds
• Trainers or other pedestrians should not stand in the warm-up areas.

Last Updated: 7 December 2011