Dressage
Dressage builds the partnership between horse & rider, focusing on precise, harmonious movements.
What is dressage?
Dressage at competitions is a judged riding test conducted in a rectangular arena.
Riders perform a pre-learned test, where each competitor in a section executes the same routine consecutively. The focus is on demonstrating the rider’s ability to guide their horse or pony willingly and calmly through various movements. Scores, ranging from 1 to 10, are awarded by judges for each part of the test. The winner of the competition is determined by the highest cumulative score achieved by horse and rider.
Dressage builds the partnership between horse & rider, focusing on precise, harmonious movements. Unlike showjumping, dressage is judged on accuracy, suppleness, rhythm, contact, impulsion, straightness, and collection.
Whether you’re a beginner learning basic walk, trot, and canter or an advanced rider performing flying changes and piaffe, dressage builds effective communication and control. As an Olympic equestrian sport, it provides a strong foundation for other disciplines like Horse Trials/Eventing (dressage is one of the three phases) and Show Jumping (improved balance and control over fences).
Getting started is simple and welcoming – join a local Pony Club Victoria club for rallies, training, and coaching tailored to all ages and levels.
Skills you’ll learn
Dressage develops essential skills for both rider and horse, with a focus on fun, safety, and welfare.
These skills progress step-by-step through the grades, building from basic harmony to advanced elegance.
Competition
Riders compete individually or in teams in the Flat & Musical Rides (Club, Zone, State, and National levels). Competitions follow PCV Dressage Rules, with tests performed in an enclosed arena with letters marked around arena to guide each movement.
Scoring is based on the directive of each movement out of 10, with some movements having a co-efficient to be worth more points. Judges are also looking for obedience of the pony, accuracy and smoothness of the test, as well as position and control of the rider. The total score is turned into a percentage, with higher percentages placing higher. Events that involve dressage include club rallies, dressage days, zone qualifiers, combined trainings, horse trials, the PCV State Dressage & Showjumping Championships, PCV Games, Flat & Musical Ride State Championships and the Pony Club Australia National Championships.
Competitors must use current official tests, and horses/ponies must be sound and fit. Organising committees often provide printed colour tests for judges or score digitally through Event Secretary.
Progression
Pony Club Victoria offers a clear, step-by-step grading system with seven levels (Grade 6 to Advanced).
Grade 6, 5, 4 ride in a smaller 40m x 20m arena.
Grade 3, 2, 1 & Advanced ride in a larger 60m x 20m arena.
Progression aligns with the Pony Club Australia Syllabus of Instruction and PCV Guidelines for Grading
A grading form request should be completed by rider or guardian and submitted to club DC.
Dressage Rules
FAQs
Ordinary snaffles are standard; refer to the current National Gear Rules (updated periodically) and PCV Dressage Rules for specifics on bits, saddles, and permitted items.
Qualify through club/zone events using the required tests. Check the PCV calendar for entries and details.
Yes! No advanced equipment is needed — just enthusiasm and a pony. Clubs welcome all levels.
https://ponyclubvic.org.au/dressage/dressage-tests for all current downloadable tests.
