Riata Licensing Exam: Dressage

If you would like to apply for a trainer's license in Dressage, please answer the following questions. When you are finished answering them, please e-mail them to admin@riata-online.net.

  1. What does 'dressage' mean in French?
  2. What two bits are worn?
  3. In Dressage, what are the specifics of an ideal standard arena? Of an ideal short arena? (include measurements, type of footing and letters used).
  4. What is the measurement of a standard Dressage circle from which the arena is comprised?
  5. How many Standard levels of training are there? How many International levels? What are the levels in order? How many tests are in each of the Standard levels?
  6. What is the general scoring system used for movements that are assigned to be performed in each test?
  7. On what four elements are the collective scoring marks based?
  8. What is the maximum allowed length of a whip during a Dressage test?
  9. At what level of Dressage do spurs become mandatory?
  10. At what level of Dressage testing does a horse begin canter work?
  11. Would a rider be penalized for using vocal aids (clicking, "whoa-ing," whistling) during a Dressage test?
  12. What does a judge sounding the bell usually mean?
  13. What are the two types of tempi-changes done in a dressage test?
  14. At what level is the flying lead change at every 4th and 5th stride introduced?
  15. At what letter do you Halt and Salute?
  16. What is the difference between each gait at 'working', 'medium', 'collected', and 'extended?
  17. Define:
       Counter Canter
       Volte
       Passage
       Piaffe
       Pirouette
A big thanks to Lynne, Yumi and Stephanie for these questions!!