14 widespread however complicated phrases defined

Confused by sure dressage terminology you’ll have heard? Say no extra. We’re right here to assist with our useful dressage jargon buster, to decipher all these extraordinary dressage phrases you’ll hear across the competitors circuit.

From center tour to hors concours, we’ve obtained probably the most complicated aggressive dressage terminology lined, so that you’ll at all times know what’s what.

Small tour – a collective time period referring to the bottom of the FEI worldwide dressage ranges, that are prix st georges (PSG) and intermediate I (inter I).

Center tour – a class of FEI checks launched in 2014 to behave as a “stepping stone” between small tour ranges and large tour. Center tour refers to inter A and inter B checks, and customarily inter II as effectively.

Massive tour – this piece of dressage terminology refers back to the highest stage class of FEI dressage check, particularly the grand prix, quick grand prix and grand prix particular.

Hors concours – this French phrase, which is often abbreviated to HC, loosely interprets as “excluded from the competitors” and it refers to an entry that’s non-competitive. A rider who chooses to compete HC can trip the check, and be marked by the judges, however they won’t seem inside the outcomes, they usually can choose to maintain their rating non-public and unrecorded.

Grand prix particular – it is a tougher model of the grand prix dressage check. It contains all the identical actions however in a extra complicated routine, and is thought to be probably the most troublesome check in dressage. It’s used at prime stage worldwide competitions and at championships, the place it may be used alongside the grand prix check to find out the workforce medals, as on the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, or as a standalone competitors to find out one in every of two units of particular person medals, as is widespread at European and world championships.

Double coefficient – some vital actions inside a dressage checks earn double marks, and these are known as having a double coefficient. Within the grand prix check, these are the half-pass on each reins, every piaffe, the pirouettes on every rein, the collected stroll, the prolonged stroll, the canter half-pass “zig-zag” and the one-tempi adjustments. For instance, if a rider scores an eight for one in every of these actions, this will get doubled on their rating sheet to 16.

Lengthy enviornment – an extended enviornment in dressage truly simply refers back to the standard-sized enviornment, which measures 20x60m, with the diagonal size from nook to nook measuring 63.24m.

Brief enviornment – a brief enviornment is a shorter model of the usual enviornment, measuring 20x40m and 44.72m diagonally from nook to nook. The quick enviornment is used for sure British Dressage checks from intro (which is solely carried out in a brief enviornment) as much as superior medium, in addition to for some para dressage checks.

PYO – this stands for “pick-your-own” and is a sort of sophistication seen at nationwide competitions wherein riders can carry out a check from whichever permitted stage they like and all are judged collectively, whatever the check they select to trip.

Floor jury – this time period refers back to the judges at a global competitors. There are normally three, 5 or seven judges, relying on the extent of the occasion. One among them will likely be appointed president of the bottom jury, and is subsequently answerable for guaranteeing that each one guidelines, laws and necessities are upheld through the class in query.

Stewards – these are the officers who oversee the working of a contest. Their job entails defending equine welfare, working the warm-up, organising combos to enter and depart the competitors enviornment on the allotted time and in addition to carry out “tack checks”, the place they ensure that all gear is inside the guidelines.

Chef d’equipe – one other French time period, which interprets as workforce chief. In horse sport, it refers to a workforce supervisor, an individual who accompanies the workforce to worldwide occasions and championships and is answerable for general workforce administration, logistics and welfare. A chef d’equipe will not be the identical as a workforce coach, though many are coaches too.

Pleasant horse – a companion horse that’s permitted to enter the sector with the competing horse at grades I, II and III in para dressage. The pleasant horse may be held in hand inside the subject of play however exterior the white boards.

Prime and tails – this phrase refers to a prime hat and tailcoat: the standard gown for superior stage dressage. This has modified lately with a protecting helmet turning into obligatory in any respect ranges. Tailcoats are worn, nevertheless, at superior stage and above.

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