Dressage & Saddleseat Information
Dressage
Dressage is a highly skilled form of riding performed in exhibition & competition. It is defined as “the highest expression of horse training” where “horse & rider are expected to perform from memory a series of predetermined movements”.
Levels run from amateur right through to highly advanced. Its fundamental purpose is to develop, through standardized training methods, a horse’s natural athletic ability and willingness to perform, thereby maximising its potential as a riding horse.
Successful training at the various levels is demonstrated through the performance of tests, prescribed series of movements ridden within a standard area.
Saddleseat
Saddle seat is a style of horseback riding within the category of English riding that is designed to show off the high action of certain horse breeds. The style developed into its modern form in the United States, and is also seen in Canada and South Africa. To a much lesser extent, it is ridden with American action horse breeds in Europe and Australia.
The goal of the saddle seat riding style is to show off the horse's extravagant gaits, particularly the trot.
Dressage Awards
Earned through scores given over the season
Saddleseat Awards
Earned through points given per win/placings over the season.
Dressage
Dressage is a highly skilled form of riding performed in exhibition & competition. It is defined as “the highest expression of horse training” where “horse & rider are expected to perform from memory a series of predetermined movements”.
Levels run from amateur right through to highly advanced. Its fundamental purpose is to develop, through standardized training methods, a horse’s natural athletic ability and willingness to perform, thereby maximising its potential as a riding horse.
Successful training at the various levels is demonstrated through the performance of tests, prescribed series of movements ridden within a standard area.
- For all realistic horse breeds, no exotics (some further exclusions at FEI+)
- Encompasses levels Training up to FEI Grand Prix.
- Runs January to November, usually 2 dates a month with multiple tests therein.
- Awards are issued December/January
- A Medal system is available for this section, Bronze, Silver, Gold
- Placings are awarded through a breed/performance compatibility score from your horses' photo, a dice roll /table system as well as a points system for past performance.
Saddleseat
Saddle seat is a style of horseback riding within the category of English riding that is designed to show off the high action of certain horse breeds. The style developed into its modern form in the United States, and is also seen in Canada and South Africa. To a much lesser extent, it is ridden with American action horse breeds in Europe and Australia.
The goal of the saddle seat riding style is to show off the horse's extravagant gaits, particularly the trot.
- For set known real life performing breeds, with further restrictions in 3-Gaited, 5-Gaited and the like.
- Runs January to November, usually 2 dates a month with multiple classes therein.
- Awards are issued December/January
- A Champion Title system is available for this section, see below
- Placings are awarded through a breed/performance compatibility score from your horses' photo, a dice roll /table system as well as a points system for past performance.hese awards given out through your horses or the trainers performance throughout the season
Dressage Awards
Earned through scores given over the season
- Performance Medal - Bronze (2 scores each over 60% in 1st, 2nd & 3rd level {6 comps}), Silver (2 scores each over 65% in 4th & Prix St Georges {4 comps}) & Gold (2 scores each over 70% in either Intermediate 1/II & Grand Prix {4 comps})
- Novice Horse of the Year
- Elementary Horse of the Year
- Medium Horse of the Year
- Advanced Horse of the Year
- FEI Tour Horse of the Year
- Dressage Breeder of the Year
- Dressage Trainer of the Year
Saddleseat Awards
Earned through points given per win/placings over the season.
- Champion title - separate to the awards below. For a horse to earn a CH title, they have to earn points by showing and winning in classes that have 6 or more horses in it. Each win = 1 point. 15 points = CH title
- Saddleseat HoTY
- Five-Gaited Champion
- Three-Gaited Champion
- Fine Harness Champion
- Park Champion
- Pleasure Harness Champion
- Show Pleasure Champion
- Country Pleasure Champion
- Saddleseat Breeder of the Year
- Saddleseat Trainer of the Year