Model horse collectors often view dressage as an English performance class in model horse shows that is best avoided. That's a shame, because many Breyer model horses and other brands and types of horse models would do quite well in dressage classes at both live and photo shows. Dressage is simply the French word for "training" and reflects the level of training or schooling given to a horse to improve its athletic ability. That's one of the many reasons why dressage tests are included in 3-day eventing, one of the most gruelling horse competitions. Horses must be athletic and well trained in order to successfully complete the jumping and arena work required in eventing, and a horse should reflect this in his or her dressage competition score.
Obviously, a grazing, bucking, or rearing horse would score poorly even in model horse dressage classes. Nearly any other pose or gait in a model horse can be explained adequately as part of a dressage class.
The Basics of Dressage for Model Horse Collectors
Dressage developed from ancient times, with the first acknowledge dressage expert the ancient Greek Xenophon. During the Renaissance, the nobility and upper classes exhibited their horsemanship in dressage-style military drills. Today, horses are no longer used in military drills, exhibitions or parades but instead perform dressage movements as part of horse show classes called 'tests' or in staged performances.
The dressage arena is shaped like a rectangle. There are two sizes: small, which is approximately 66 x 131 feet (20 meters by 40 meters) and standard or large, which is 66 x 197 feet (20 meters by 60 meters). Letters are hung at specific points around the arena or placed on pylons to mark the spots where the next movement in the test must be performed. The center has no marker but is called "X" on tests. Riders memorize the pattern, called a test, with different patterns that start at Training (beginning) level and moving up to the most highly skilled competition level, Grand Prix. At lower levels, some shows permit a friend to call out the next move to the rider. There also riding patterns executed with music playing in the background, called Freestyle or Grand Prix Musical Kur. Dressage scores are numbers ranging from 0 (failed to perform the move at all) to 10 (excellent.) Riders look for scores consistently in the 60s (many 6 scores on their scorecard) which indicate their horse may be ready to move up to the next level.
In dressage, the rider's skill is paramount, with the horse responding to the subtle cues of rein, leg and body weight. Dressage riders should make the movements appear effortless; you shouldn't see exaggerated moves. Horses should be quiet, supple, and responsive.
Dressage tack consists of a dressage-style saddle with a deep seat and panels that are set vertically on the saddle. The girth is wider and set lower on each side of the saddle than a huntseat saddle. Different bridles and bits are used, but the traditional dressage bridle may have a bit more padding on the nosebad and may have white material behind the noseband. A white, square pad, sometimes with black piping, is used for a saddle pad. Black is the preferred color for dressage tack. Local schooling shows and entry-level classes permit huntseat tack, since in the real horse world it is very expensive to own different saddles for each discipline one shows in.
Riders in upper level dressage wear a black fitted coat or blazer with four buttons or a long, tailored formal coat. They wear white breeches and a white shirt and gloves. They wear high-topped black leather formal or dressage boots and a top hat. At lower levels and schooling shows, a huntcap is worn, and general formal English riding attire is accepted.
Dressage for Breyers and Other Model Horses
All breeds of horses participate in dressage in the real horse world. You can find backyard ponies and horses at training level or finely trained Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods at more advanced levels. There are even special dressage competitions for gaited horses, whose naturally different gaits would put them at a disadvantage from other breeds but who compete against one another very well.
When examining your model horse collection for potential dressage performance horses, consider how the horse is posed. Lower level dressage tests may call for a horse to halt, walk, trot, and bend. Standing models, walking models, or horses in a loose or relaxed trot may be shown in dressage as long as you specify it is a Training level class. Horses in a nice forward trot such as some of the Breyer Warmblood models do very nicely in dressage, as do many Artist Resins.
You'll need a dressage saddle, saddle pad and bridle at minimum to show your model horses in dressage performance classes. Most model horse collectors prefer to use a rider doll in dressage performance classes. Breyer makes a Brenda Breyer dressage doll, complete with full cutaway formal coat, in Traditional scale. Other dolls and English riding attire may be adapted to the dressage ring.
When setting up your dressage performance scene, be sure to have an actual dressage pattern to link to in online photo shows to show the judge the exact movement your horse is performing. The USDF, the governing body for the sport, provides printable pdfs of each (acrobat reader required) dressage test. You should print off a copy of the test your model horse depicts and place it on the show ring table next to your setup for live model horse shows, include it in the envelope with photos when you mail entries to a photo show judge, or link to it from your online photo show entries.
Dressage sometimes perplexes model horse collectors, but it shouldn't. It's really about the beauty, elegance, and training of the horse. If you have a calm-looking horse model and the right tack, you can show in dressage classes in the English performance division of model horse shows.