View source for Dressage Instructions V2

Dressage For Ponyplay: Thanks To: Button Wright, Izumi Vought, and Heidi Carpenter



There are two forms of sl ponyplay Dressage.  
Silent Dressage: Which uses positions of the trainer to guide the pony where to be and what to do, this is the expect form of Dressage for events.
Verbal Dressage: In which the trainer instructs the pony where to be and what to do using verbal commands.

The instructions below are to help others learn what is expected of both Trainer and Pony in the silent dressage event. These are the basic forms of accepted Dressage movements for Trainer and Pony. Though each and every Trainer and Pony team should develop a way of moving through Dressage that is comfortable and fluid. It has been recommended that beginers to Dressage use a combination of verbal commands and Trainer positions then slowly progress into silent dressage :)
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Trainer and pony step to the bottom of the field, not yet entering the field just  below the lettered sign A.

Once both are settled for a few seconds the Trainer gives the pony signal to enter the field, they together in unison enter the field at the A sign both side by side and stepping together. What I have seen is trainer remains on the right and pony on the left. Once in position on the field just above the lettered A sign, pony and trainer bow for the judges. 

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After the bow the trainer should move into the first position given on the dressage course card. This card will only be given to you moments before the event. If only learning then simply decide ahead of time what progression of movements you will use and guide the pony as you would in an event.

Then each step is followed until completion of the course listed on the card, or until you have completed working with the pony on the progression of movements. Once the course is completed pony and trainer return to starting position facing the slalom course backs to sign A, each bows and then turn in unison. After smooth turn and pause, trainer and pony exit the field in unison. The event is completed.
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The following positions are used for formal silent Dressage.

Positions for trainers, what pony behavior should be when they see a trainer in these positions:
Figure 8. There are two forms of the figure 8.  Figure 8 B and Figure 8 J.

Figure 8 B. Trainer stands in the J portion of the figure 8 pointed/facing/looking at the B sign. Pony comes into position on the yellow dot in the middle facing the slalom, the pony travels in that direction for three full figure 8s. With start and stop point being the yellow block in the middle. Trainers should be aware not to get in the ponies way.

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Figure 8 J: Trainer stands in the B portion of the figure 8 pointed/facing/looking at the J sign. Pony comes into position on the yellow dot in the middle facing the slolom, the pony travels in that direction for three full figure 8s. With start and stop point being the yellow block in the middle. Trainers should be aware not to get in the ponies way.

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Lines. Two lines on the field. Lines are broken into two forms each, starting from each end near the lettered signs. Line H, Line G, Line C, Line D.

Simply put trainer stands on the inside of the line, meaning the side of the line bordering the inside of the field, directly across from the lettered sign facing that sign, be sure to leave enough room for the pony to menuver without having to walk around you or bump into you.

Line C: Trainer stands on inside of the line below the yellow block facing the lettered sign C. Pony moves into position on the yellow block facing down the line towards the oposite yellow block, pony walks straight and neatly down the line to the oposite yellow block and stops.

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Line D: Trainer stands on inside of the line below the yellow block facing the lettered sign D. Pony moves into position on the yellow block back facing down the line towards the oposite yellow block, pony walks carefully backwards, straight and neatly down the line to the oposite yellow block and stops. ((Certain pony AOs create problems moving backwards, it causes them to turn around, if this happens instruct them to tap the page down button.))

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Line H: Trainer stands on inside of the line below the yellow block facing the lettered sign H. Pony moves into position on the yellow block facing down the line towards the oposite yellow block, pony walks straight and neatly down the line to the oposite yellow block and stops.

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Line G: Trainer stands on inside of the line below the yellow block facing the lettered sign G. Pony moves into position on the yellow block back facing down the line towards the oposite yellow block, pony walks carefully backwards, straight and neatly down the line to the oposite yellow block and stops. ((Certain pony AOs create problems moving backwards, it causes them to turn around, if this happens instruct them to tap the page down button.))

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Circle is broken into four forms: Circle G, Circle H,  Circle C, Circle D. Trainers stand outside of the circle a bit away from the yellow blocks ((Which circle is needed depends which block to start at)).

Circle C: Trainer stands outside of the circle below the lower yellow block, as in the block NOT closest to the Slalom. Turning to Face the lettered sign C. Pony moves into place on the yellow block facing the lettered sign C and moves around the circle three times in that dircetion, stopping at the completion of the third circle on the yellow block where they started.

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Circle D: Trainer stands outside of the circle above the upper yellow block, this is the block closest to the Slalom. Turning to Face the lettered sign C. Pony moves into place on the yellow block facing the lettered sign D and moves around the circle three times in that dircetion, stopping at the completion of the third circle on the yellow block where they started.

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Circle G: Trainer stands outside of the circle above the upper yellow block, this is the block closest to the Slalom. Turning to Face the lettered sign G. Pony moves into place on the yellow block facing the lettered sign G and moves around the circle three times in that dircetion, stopping at the completion of the third circle on the yellow block where they started.

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Circle H: Trainer stands outside of the circle below the lower yellow block, as in the block NOT closest to the Slalom. Turning to Face the lettered sign H. Pony moves into place on the yellow block facing the lettered sign H and moves around the circle three times in that dircetion, stopping at the completion of the third circle on the yellow block where they started.

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Slalom: Slalom is broken into two forms. Slalom E. Slalom F. Trainers stand on the outside of the Slalom back facing the edge of the field, front facing the yellow block.

Slalom E. Trainer stands outside of the Slalom looking at or facing the yellow block infront of the Lettered sign E. Pony steps onto the yellow block and moves down and then back through the Slalom as in the usual Speed Slalom event. The mian goal for Dressage Slalom is NOT speed. The pony wants to show nice lines, grace and skill. The pony comes to a stop once again on the yellow block where the run started. 

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Slalom F. Trainer stands outside of the Slalom looking at or facing the yellow block infront of the Lettered sign F. Pony steps onto the yellow block and moves down and then back through the Slalom as in the usual Speed Slalom event. The mian goal for Dressage Slalom is NOT speed. The pony wants to show nice lines, grace and skill. The pony comes to a stop once again on the yellow block where the run started. 

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TODO: Pictures

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