The movements in the dressage arena test are the same as in the stadium. The only difference is that instead of jumping over objects, the horse must change direction by turning and/or moving to one side. The movements in the dressage arena test are more difficult than those in the stadium. The horse must demonstrate good rhythm, collection, impulsion and collection in order to succeed in the dressage arena test. The horse should also be comfortable with the footing in order to perform the movements correctly. The movements in the dressage arena test are listed below:

Canter to Cross-rail Transition

This is a test of collection and impulsion. The horse must be collected and impulsive as it crosses the rail. The test begins with the rider on the left side of the horse. The horse should cross the rail with a smooth canter then settle into a collected canter as it crosses the rail. The horse should then be impulsive as it turns to the right and crosses the rail back to the left. This test requires excellent collection and impulsion from the horse. The test may be performed with or without a rider in the ring.

Rotational Canter to Cross-rail Transition

This is a test of collection, impulsion and rhythm. The horse must be collected, impulsive and rhythmic as it crosses the rail. The test begins with the rider on the left side of the horse. The horse should cross the rail with a rotational canter then settle into a collected canter as it crosses the rail. The horse should then be impulsive as it turns to the right and crosses the rail back to the left. This test requires excellent collection, impulsion and rhythm from the horse. The test may be performed with or without a rider in the ring.

Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail Transition

This is a test of collection, impulsion and rhythm. The horse must be collected, impulsive and rhythmic as it crosses the rail. The test begins with the rider on the left side of the horse. The horse should cross the rail with a rotational cross-rail canter then settle into a collected canter as it crosses the rail. The horse should then be impulsive as it turns to the right and crosses the rail back to the left. This test requires excellent collection, impulsion and rhythm from the horse. The test may be performed with or without a rider in the ring.

Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Canter to Cross-rail Transition

This is a test of collection, impulsion and rhythm. The horse must be collected, impulsive and rhythmic as it crosses the rail. The test begins with the rider on the left side of the horse. The horse should cross the rail with a rotational cross-rail canter then settle into a collected canter as it crosses the rail. The horse should then be impulsive as it turns to the right and crosses the rail back to the left. This test requires excellent collection, impulsion and rhythm from the horse. The test may be performed with or without a rider in the ring.

Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail Transition

This is a test of collection, impulsion and rhythm. The horse must be collected, impulsive and rhythmic as it crosses the rail. The test begins with the rider on the left side of the horse. The horse should cross the rail with a rotational cross-rail canter then settle into a collected canter as it crosses the rail. The horse should then be impulsive as it turns to the right and crosses the rail back to the left. This test requires excellent collection, impulsion and rhythm from the horse. The test may be performed with or without a rider in the ring.

Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Canter to Cross-rail Transition

This is a test of collection, impulsion and rhythm. The horse must be collected, impulsive and rhythmic as it crosses the rail. The test begins with the rider on the left side of the horse. The horse should cross the rail with a rotational cross-rail canter then settle into a collected canter as it crosses the rail. The horse should then be impulsive as it turns to the right and crosses the rail back to the left. This test requires excellent collection, impulsion and rhythm from the horse. The test may be performed with or without a rider in the ring.

Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail Transition

This is a test of collection, impulsion and rhythm. The horse must be collected, impulsive and rhythmic as it crosses the rail. The test begins with the rider on the left side of the horse. The horse should cross the rail with a rotational cross-rail canter then settle into a collected canter as it crosses the rail. The horse should then be impulsive as it turns to the right and crosses the rail back to the left. This test requires excellent collection, impulsion and rhythm from the horse. The test may be performed with or without a rider in the ring.

Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail Transition

This is a test of collection, impulsion and rhythm. The horse must be collected, impulsive and rhythmic as it crosses the rail. The test begins with the rider on the left side of the horse. The horse should cross the rail with a rotational cross-rail canter then settle into a collected canter as it crosses the rail. The horse should then be impulsive as it turns to the right and crosses the rail back to the left. This test requires excellent collection, impulsion and rhythm from the horse. The test may be performed with or without a rider in the ring.

Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail Transition

This is a test of collection, impulsion and rhythm. The horse must be collected, impulsive and rhythmic as it crosses the rail. The test begins with the rider on the left side of the horse. The horse should cross the rail with a rotational cross-rail canter then settle into a collected canter as it crosses the rail. The horse should then be impulsive as it turns to the right and crosses the rail back to the left. This test requires excellent collection, impulsion and rhythm from the horse. The test may be performed with or without a rider in the ring.

Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail Transition

This is a test of collection, impulsion and rhythm. The horse must be collected, impulsive and rhythmic as it crosses the rail. The test begins with the rider on the left side of the horse. The horse should cross the rail with a rotational cross-rail canter then settle into a collected canter as it crosses the rail. The horse should then be impulsive as it turns to the right and crosses the rail back to the left. This test requires excellent collection, impulsion and rhythm from the horse. The test may be performed with or without a rider in the ring.

Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail Transition

This is a test of collection, impulsion and rhythm. The horse must be collected, impulsive and rhythmic as it crosses the rail. The test begins with the rider on the left side of the horse. The horse should cross the rail with a rotational cross-rail canter then settle into a collected canter as it crosses the rail. The horse should then be impulsive as it turns to the right and crosses the rail back to the left. This test requires excellent collection, impulsion and rhythm from the horse. The test may be performed with or without a rider in the ring.

Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational Cross-rail to Rotational

Frequently Asked Question

The standard length of a dressage arena is 20 x 40 metres or 20 x 60 metres
The size of dressage arena used in competition is normally 20 x 60 metres
Dressage Arenas vary greatly in price. A basic arena can cost up to £40,000, with large indoor arenas costing up to £1 Million.
A dressage arena is a rectangle area (20 metres by 60 metres) normally constructed with a surface of silica sand mixed with a polyester blend which is enclosed by a wooden or plastic fence. Training arenas normally allow letters to be placed around the arena to assist a rider with learning the correct places to turn.