Dressage Guide

Show off the beauty and elegance of your silent bond with your animal with dressage.

The word dressage is simply French for training. As an equestrian competition it is at it's most basic level, a test of the horse's training and willingness to work with a rider. In the case of pony play the idea is very similar, it is the test of the pony's training and responsiveness to his/her trainer.

Dressage Necessities

This section is quoted from Zobo Shephard's "(READ ME SECOND) Dressage Necessities" SL Dressage Society notecard from 2013 and needs some updates. We could just explain WHY those items are needed and then link to the appropriate pages of the sNr Staff Handbook. Some of those in turn would need to be updated to include relevant information (shout range whips, walking backwards etc).

Bow HUD

Everyone will need a bow hud.
There are several dressage huds out there, and these can add to the performance of your dressage routine, however, for class purposes, we only require a bow animation. Any other dressage hud is optional and up to the individual. Here is the good news. Thanks to our friend, Lerim Asbrink, there is a free bow hud included in this packet. (Lermis Bow Hud)

Signal Whip

Trainers & Owners will need a whip capable of not only making an audible sound, but also the ability to be read in local chat. Here is the good news. We have a free one included in this packet. (*WHIP KIRI) It’s real easy…just wear the whip, wear the hud, push the buttons on the hud.

Pony AO

Ponies have the hard part. Since we are coming together to learn and perform Dressage correctly, ponies will have to be able to walk backward. For the level at which we plan to train and compete, the old trick of the fake backward walk is unacceptable. To my knowledge there are two different ways this can be done. If anyone knows of other ways, please let me know and I will add them to this note.

1. Morbid Play (MP) Hooves and AO have the ability to walk backward.
2. Netsui also sells an AO that can be placed into any modifiable hoof and will give you the ability to walk backward.

Ponies will also be expected to wear a Bridle, harness, and Tail at all times. Bits are optional as this is a class and communication is key, so ponies will have the option of speaking during class time if they wish.

Silent Dressage

Silent Dressage is the most complex event in pony competitions. It is a nice change of pace from the other events as it is less demanding of computing power. What makes silent dressage special is the interaction between trainer and pony that resembles a delicate dance and can not be found in any other pony event. Unlike other competitive events silent dressage expresses and thrives on the D/s aspect of ponyplay.

Our Silent Dressage Guide provides detailed information.

References

Sasaya Rothschild's Dressage (1 + 2) 2007-01-13
(FFF) Dressage Instructions 11/17/08 V2 by Button Wright, Izumi Vought and Heidi Carpenter
Ariel Erlanger's Silent Dressage Rules and Information from 2012
Safra Nitely's Silent Dressage with Travers from 2012
Mikky Heron's Dressage Rules from 2014
SL Dressage Society Rules and Policies

Pony Flower

The drama.

References

The Pony Flower (one of the two warring styles)