The Basics

This is an interesting topic, and one of the most asked questions for those in competition carriage driving. Indeed, it is often asked in ridden dressage too.  There is a short answer – read the rule book where it is very clear! Yet despite the importance of rule book definitions, many competitors focus on memorizing the test rather than understanding the qualities the judge is evaluating.

Naturally, welfare of the horse during training is paramount and must always be considered. It is important to understand that training for dressage is progressive. ‘The basics’ are defined as the correct foundation of the progressive training of the horse, independent of the execution of specific test movements.

Overall, judges are looking for a balanced picture and crucially, at all levels the horse should be ‘tracking up.’  At the lower levels, judges want to see a horse going freely forward and active.   Progressing to the collection is a journey.

From the British Carriagedriving rule book 2026, Article 949 General –

The objective of the Driven Dressage Test is to judge the freedom, regularity of paces, harmony, impulsion, suppleness, lightness, ease of movement and correct bending of the horses on the move. Drivers will also be judged on style, accuracy, and general control of their horses, and also on their dress, condition of their harness and carriage and the presentation of their whole turnout.

Dressage is defined as: –

The art of driving and training a horse or pony in a manner that develops, obedience, flexibility and balance. This is correct for anyone driving a horse or pony. It gives the judge a positive overall picture especially when demonstrated throughout the whole test.

The cones phase is an extension of dressage, so the same principles apply.  The marathon can also be significantly improved with a supple and compliant horse.

The point of dressage: –

To demonstrate harmony and trust between horse and driver, which is achieved using correct and considered training. Welfare of the horse or pony is paramount and must be always considered. We school and train; we don’t ‘break and force’.

Driven dressage can be defined as the art of driving and training a horse in a manner that develops obedience, flexibility (suppleness), and balance.

What the judges are looking for: –

The key is to understand that training for dressage is progressive.

Why is this important? From the lower levels (Training and Preliminary) to the higher levels (Intermediate and Advanced), the judges are not necessarily looking for different things, just that the basics are increasingly confirmed as a horse goes up the levels. The basics need to be defined, embedded and consistent. Without confirmed basics, the more difficult movements at the higher levels, such as direct transitions, smaller circles, collection, extension, are more difficult to perform properly.

The judges I train are asked to make sure the basics are correct and the driver can demonstrate them. It should not matter to the judge what you are driving, whether it’s a small pony (VSE), a large Shire horse or a $100,000 KWPN Warmblood. The only difference is the trainability of the animal. Clearly some are more trainable and talented than others, but dressage still relies on correct basic training to show to the judges correct paces and movements.

The goal when driving a dressage test is to demonstrate to the judge an overall positive picture, which will earn even higher marks if it can be maintained throughout the whole test, not just in ‘moments.’ The harmony and trust between horse and driver — achieved through correct training — should be displayed.

This is not an exact science but should be guided by the criteria according to the national governing body.

Training Scale

It is important to mention here the ‘training scale’. The training scale is used in most judge training. It is used in most German training and whilst simple, it needs to be expanded and defined.

The best explanation of ‘the basics’ in terms of driven dressage can be found in the Driven Dressage Handbook published by the American Driving Society in 2020 and available on their website. On page 42, Terminology for Driven Dressage, ‘the basics’ are defined as:

‘The correct foundation of the progressive training of the horse, independent of the execution of specific test movements. All basics must be suitable to the level (Training, Preliminary, Intermediate, Advanced) and exercise.

They include:

• pure rhythm with suitable tempo;
• relaxation/suppleness/elasticity/looseness;
• correct contact/connection;
• impulsion, straightness, and longitudinal balance’

In other words, all the criteria of the Dressage Training Scale (also known as Pyramid of Training).

The Dressage Training Scale

Young or Green Horse 

Rhythm

Suppleness

Contact

Impulsion

Straightness

Collection

Trained Horse

The dressage training scale was developed over centuries of classical and military riding tradition, organized into a logical progression by German riding schools, and has now been accepted globally. It is used as a training roadmap for developing the horse and as a judging lens for evaluating quality in dressage tests, both ridden and driven.

Accuracy

Accuracy of the movements such turns, circles, serpentines, alongside rails, deviations, and transitions.

Part of the driven dressage test is accuracy. At the lower levels, the judges are looking to see accuracy but not always at the expense of the quality of the gaits or ‘way of going.’ Therefore, it is important to follow the test and progress between the markers. The lower-level tests should allow this with no complex turns or changes of pace that a novice horse is not capable of. Some discretion can be given in the Training and Preliminary tests around accuracy if it allows the novice horse to maintain a positive pace. As the tests progress in difficulty, the judges will look for more direct accuracy at the marker as the more advanced horse should be balanced enough.

In summary

The judges at the lower levels should be looking for the positives and ‘the basics’:

• Rhythm
• Suppleness
• Contact
• Impulsion (i.e. forward and active)
• Straightness and Balance

The movements are mostly open and more simple, with larger circles and straight lines. Working trot is mostly used. Where the basics are positive and shown correctly at the lower levels (Training and Preliminary) good marks should be awarded to support and encourage correct training. As the horse progresses, then the quality of the basics should improve and become ‘the norm.’

The more advanced movements will require the basics to be very confirmed. This allows for direct transitions, more complicated movements, smaller turns and circles, collection and extension, and even some lateral work, such as shoulder-in.