How To Dressage

Main Menu

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Article Categories
    • The Scales of Training
    • Dressage Theory
    • For The Rider
    • The Horse’s Paces
    • Dressage Movements
    • Dressage Competition
    • Horse Care
    • Dressage Troubleshooting
    • Interviews with GP Riders
  • Training Forum
    • Recent Posts
    • Register
    • Login
  • Our Book Range
  • Our Podcast
  • FREE STUFF!

logo

Header Banner

How To Dressage

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Article Categories
    • The Scales of Training
    • Dressage Theory
    • For The Rider
    • The Horse’s Paces
    • Dressage Movements
    • Dressage Competition
    • Horse Care
    • Dressage Troubleshooting
    • Interviews with GP Riders
  • Training Forum
    • Recent Posts
    • Register
    • Login
  • Our Book Range
  • Our Podcast
  • FREE STUFF!
Dressage Competition
Home›Dressage Competition›How to Understand a British Dressage Test Sheet

How to Understand a British Dressage Test Sheet

By How To Dressage
January 5, 2021
120
0
How to Understand a British Dressage Test Sheet

Before you ride down the centerline, you need to check out the dressage test sheet so that you understand exactly what you’re required to do!

There is lots of helpful information on that sheet that can help you to gain extra marks in the arena. But it’s amazing how many riders miss out on that.

Read this guide to find out more!

BD dressage test sheets

In this article, we’re taking a look at a British Dressage (BD) test sheet.

The information contained on the sheets is pretty much the same for all levels of pure dressage tests. However, there are variations for music tests, which we look at later in this piece.

1. Test name (level, number, and year)

Right at the top of the test, you’ll see the test level i.e., novice, elementary, etc., the test number, and the year it was issued. It may also include the year that the test was revised, e.g. ‘revised in 2016’.

Always double-check you have the right test before you learn it! It’s amazing how many people ride the wrong test!

BD sometimes makes minor changes to the dressage tests, but they don’t always amend the original test number. So, you must always make sure that you learn the correct version by checking the year the test was issued and revised.

2. Time of test and arena size

Underneath the test level, you’ll find the size of the arena in which the test is to be ridden (20×40 or 20×60), and the approximate time it should take you to complete the test (e.g. 4min).

Related Read: How to Accurately Set up a Dressage Arena

3. The body of the test sheet

The main body of the test sheet tells you where you need to go in the test, what movements are included, how many scores are available, and what the judges are looking for when they assess your performance.

It is laid out in columns. Here’s what each column means starting from the left.

Movement numbers

Each movement, including the collective marks, has its own number shown in the far-left column.

Marker

The marker column indicates the letter or letters where each movement begins and ends. That information enables the judge to mark the movement correctly and is important for identifying in which movement an error of course has occurred.

For the rider, the marker column helps you to ride the test accurately and pick up valuable extra marks.

Remember that the movement, transition, or change of pace should happen when your body passes the marker.

Movement

The movement column describes what each exercise is and what you should be doing at each, or in between each, marker.

If you have any doubts as to how to ride any of the movements correctly, check out our Dressage Movements category or simply search for an individual movement.

Max mark

The max mark column shows you how many marks are available for each movement. In most cases, that mark will be 10. However, some movements may be worth 10 x 2.

In the case of the double-marks, take time to practice those movements before the big day!

Related Read: How is Dressage Scored?

Directives

The directives column contains a mine of information that many riders overlook.

Each movement has a set of directives applied to it. The directives are there to tell the rider what the judge is looking for in each movement.

For example, a ‘trot serpentine of three loops, each loop to go to the side of the arena’, will have the following directives applied to it:

“Balance, bend, size, shape, regularity, tempo, freedom.”

These are the qualities that will be taken into consideration when the judge is deciding what mark to award you for that movement.

So, when you are practicing at home or riding the test at a competition, be sure to aim for those qualities in the way of going.

Related Reads: 

  • Why ALL Dressage Riders Need to Know The Scales of Training
  • How to Improve Fluency
  • How to Get Your Horse to Bend

4. Collective marks

The collective marks appear after the main body of the test. Again, each collective mark has a number, and there’s a directive, too, that appears underneath the name of the collective.

Make sure to check the marks available as these scores are often doubled!

The judge takes into account the competitor’s overall performance of the test when deciding these scores.

Related Reads: 

  • The Correct Position For Dressage
  • The Scales of Training: Scale 1 – Rhythm
  • Paces

Dressage to music test sheets

Dressage to music test sheets are different from those that are used for pure dressage.

Dressage to music is ridden “freestyle.” So, you make up your test, set it to music, and ride it in the arena.

1. Basic test information

On the top of the scoresheet, you’ll find the level of test, maximum and minimum times allowed, and the size of the arena that you must ride your test in.

Note that some music tests can be ridden in either a 20mx40m or 20mx60m arena, but this is usually at the organizer’s discretion, so be sure to check before you enter.

Also, make a note of the time allowed. Your test must not be shorter or longer than the times given, or marks will be deducted.

2. The test (technical marks)

The next section of the test sheet relates to the compulsory movements that must be performed.

Each compulsory movement is listed together with the maximum mark that’s available. You must include every compulsory movement at least once in the test plan, or you will be penalized severely.

You may also include any movements that are listed in the ‘non-compulsory permitted movements’ section. These movements will not be scored individually but will be taken into account when judging the overall performance.

You must not include any of the ‘prohibited movements’ that are listed as doing so will lose you 2 marks per prohibited movement ridden.

3. The artistic marks

The collective marks for dressage to music tests are different from those applied to a regular dressage test.

First, there’s a section for Rhythm, Energy, and Elasticity. That relates to the paces, impulsion, and suppleness collectives in a regular dressage test.

The next section relates to Harmony between horse and rider. That’s essentially an amalgamation of the submission and rider collective marks that appear in a regular test.

The Choreography mark relates to the inventiveness of the test plan and how the rider has used the arena.

The final mark is for the Music and the interpretation of it.

In the higher levels above elementary, there’s also a separate mark for the Degree of Difficulty of the test.

Again, make sure to check the marks available for the collectives as these scores are often doubled or even tripled!

In conclusion

Unfortunately, many people neglect to read dressage test sheets properly and thoroughly, resulting in silly mistakes and a lot of lost marks.

There’s a lot of very valuable information contained in test sheets that you can use to ensure a confident and polished performance.

Related Reads: 

  • How to Use Your Dressage Scoresheets to Improve Your Next Test
  • How Riders Lose Marks in Dressage Tests
  • What to do if You Make a Mistake During a Dressage Test
  • How to Impress a Dressage Judge

 

Previous Article

How to Stop Your Horse From Coming ...

Next Article

How to Keep Your Horse “up” Through ...

How To Dressage

We are an information blog breaking down the How To's of dressage. All of our articles are put together by British Dressage judges to help you train your horse correctly, get higher scores and win your next dressage competition.

Related articles More from author

  • how to ride a dressage test on grass how to dressage
    Dressage Competition

    How to Ride a Dressage Test on Grass

    January 18, 2019
    By How To Dressage
  • How to Use Your Dressage Scoresheets to Improve Your Next Test
    Dressage Competition

    How to Use Your Dressage Scoresheets to Improve Your Next Test

    April 27, 2020
    By How To Dressage
  • How to Impress a Dressage Judge
    Dressage Competition

    How to Impress a Dressage Judge

    July 14, 2020
    By How To Dressage
  • How Long to Warm up for Before a Dressage Test How to dressage
    Dressage Competition

    How Long to Warm up for Before a Dressage Test

    February 14, 2018
    By How To Dressage
  • Rules of the School when Warming up at a Competition how to dressage
    Dressage Competition

    Rules You Must Follow When Warming up at a Dressage Competition

    February 18, 2018
    By How To Dressage
  • Common Remarks Found on Dressage Score Sheets How To Dressage
    Dressage Competition

    Judge’s Comments Commonly Found on Dressage Score Sheets

    February 11, 2018
    By How To Dressage

Leave a reply Cancel reply

WANT MORE?

  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • How to Have Patience With Your Dressage Training

    How to Have Patience With Your Dressage Training

    By How To Dressage
    January 19, 2021
  • How to Keep Your Horse up Through the Corners Dressage

    How to Keep Your Horse “up” Through the Corners

    By How To Dressage
    January 12, 2021
  • How to Understand a British Dressage Test Sheet

    How to Understand a British Dressage Test Sheet

    By How To Dressage
    January 5, 2021
  • How to Stop Your Horse From Coming Too Short in the Neck Dressage

    How to Stop Your Horse From Coming Too Short in the Neck

    By How To Dressage
    December 29, 2020
  • how to piaffe dressage

    How to Piaffe

    By How To Dressage
    December 22, 2020
  • How to Passage Dressage

    How to Passage

    By How To Dressage
    December 15, 2020
  • how to sit up straight dressage

    How to Sit Up Straight

    By How To Dressage
    December 8, 2020
  • Dressage Training Plan

    How to Structure a Dressage Training Plan for Your Horse

    By How To Dressage
    February 13, 2019
  • how to create the ideal arena surface footing for dressage

    How to Create the Ideal Arena Surface Footing for Dressage

    By How To Dressage
    October 31, 2019
  • How to Import a Dressage Horse

    How to Import a Dressage Horse (from Europe to the U.S.)

    By How To Dressage
    October 19, 2019
  • How to Fit Horse's Noseband

    How to Fit Your Horse’s Noseband

    By How To Dressage
    October 5, 2019
  • How to Safely Ride and Lead horses

    How to Safely Ride and Lead

    By How To Dressage
    March 13, 2019
  • How to use Poles to Improve Your Horse's Way of Going how to dressage

    How to use Poles to Improve Your Horse’s Way of Going

    By How To Dressage
    September 5, 2018
  • What is the Difference Between Bend and Flexion dressage

    What is the Difference Between Bend and Flexion?

    By How To Dressage
    June 25, 2018
  • How To Dressage
    on
    January 25, 2021

    How to Get an Independent Seat

    Hello Sandi, Thank you ...
  • Sandi walters
    on
    January 23, 2021

    How to Get an Independent Seat

    Please explain 'open your ...
  • How To Dressage
    on
    January 20, 2021

    How to Stop Your Horse From Jogging When They Should be Walking

    Hi Claire, Thank you ...
  • Claire
    on
    January 20, 2021

    How to Stop Your Horse From Jogging When They Should be Walking

    I ride a VERY ...
  • How To Dressage
    on
    January 20, 2021

    How to Stop Your Horse’s Poll From Getting Too Low

    Hello Marion, Thank you ...
  • Marion Boyle
    on
    January 20, 2021

    How to Stop Your Horse’s Poll From Getting Too Low

    A topic that might ...
  • How To Dressage
    on
    January 7, 2021

    How to Safely Ride and Lead

    Hi from the UK! ...

Article Categories

  • Dressage Competition (28)
  • Dressage Movements (44)
  • Dressage Theory (45)
  • Dressage Troubleshooting (45)
  • For The Rider (30)
  • Horse Care (39)
  • Interviews with Grand Prix Riders (8)
  • The Horse's Paces (22)
  • The Scales of Training (8)

Free Email Courses

how to dressage paypal dressage newbie email course

how to dressage competition email course

WANT MORE?

Useful Pages

Home
About us
View Our Book Range
Join Our Facebook Group
Forum
FREE STUFF!
Contact Us

See our social side

Our Podcast

how to dressage podcast
Copyright © 2018-2020 How To Dressage
Privacy Policy
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links that are included on this website are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a commission if you make a purchase. If you would like to support this website in some way, using these links will help you do exactly that. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.