How Olympic Dressage Works
August 14, 2008
Dressage comes from the French word “dresser” meaning “to train”, and originated in the Renaissance Era, when it gained recognition as a good training method for European cavalries. This competition tests the obedience and agility of the horse and its coordination with its rider. The discipline is often referred to as “equestrian ballet” because the horse and rider team is required to perform a series of carefully designed, graceful movements.
Olympic Competition Format
Two sets of medals are awarded to Dressage competitors at the Olympics; a team award for the highest scoring country and an individual medal for the best rider. Each country is allowed three riders on their team and one alternate. All of these riders are eligible for individual medals. Other riders whose countries did not qualify for the team event (which is limited to 10 nations) may qualify as individuals. A total of 50 horse and rider teams may compete, not including the alternates for each nation.
Riders competing for their nation and who qualify for the individual event ride a total of three tests, all Grand Prix Level.The team competition is determined by one Grand Prix test, and all three rider scores count toward the final team score. The individual competition comprises the Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle.
All riders compete in the Grand Prix test, whose points determine the team classification. The scores of all three riders on a team are combined; the teams with the highest scores take home the medals.
The top 25 riders with the highest scores after the Grand Prix round progress to the next round, the Grand Prix Special. Then, the best 15 riders after the Special qualify to move on to perform their Grand Prix Freestyle test. The final medals are determined by the average of the points earned in the Grand Prix Special and Freestyle tests.
In all of the tests, riders receive a score between 0-10 for each movement, and the scores from each judge are averaged. A 70-75 overall is a competitive score.
Differences between FEI World Championships and Olympic Games
1. Teams
A National Federation (NF), having obtained eligibility and qualification according to Olympic Games Eligibility and Qualification procedures, may enter a team of three rider/horses combinations. All scores count towards the team classification. At world championships, a team consists of up to four riders, with the scores of the best three riders taken into account for the team classification, allowing for a drop score.
2. Individuals
At the Olympic Games, just one individual gold medal is awarded, whereas at world championships, two individual gold medals are awarded, one each for the Grand Prix Special and Freestyle tests.
3. Reserve horses
One reserve horse per team is allowed at the Olympics.
Changes since the Athens 2004 Olympic Games
A team is now composed of three rider/horse combinations, having previously been composed of four rider/horses combinations. All three riders count in the team total.
In the individual event riders start form scratch following qualification for the Individual Grand Prix Special test. The final score is determined by averaging the scores obtained at both the Grand Prix Special and the Grand Prix Freestyle. The scores obtained in the two phases have equal weight in the final score
Sport Rules and Procedures
The arena is a perfectly flat and level sand surface; 60 meters long and 20 meters wide; marked at the enclosure of the arena and separated from the spectators by a distance of not less than 15 meters.
The FEI Grand Prix test contains a series of compulsory movements. The Grand Prix Special is a slightly shorter and more concentrated version of the Grand Prix test. The Grand Prix Freestyle (Kur) is a freestyle composition of Grand Prix movements performed with the rider’s own choreography to music of personal choice. Judges award marks out of 10 for each movement and a collective assessment.
Horses must be at least eight years of age.
The horses are inspected once before the Grand Prix to ensure they are fit to compete.
Tie-break Rules
In the case of a tie on points, the winning team is the one whose lowest classified competitor out of the three has the best result in the Grand Prix. If individual competitors have the same final score, the higher artistic marks in the Grand Prix Freestyle (Kur) will decide the higher placing.
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Posted in 2008 Olympics, Dressage
October 25th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
How do you begin to gain points to qualify towards FEI or Olympic level? Would joining the Michigan Dressage Association (MDA) allow me to gain points, and eventually qualify for FEI or Olympic level? I’m really confused about the whole thing. What shows would put me on the right track? Would I need to join the FEI? Thanks!
October 26th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Shelby,
I’m not sure what the policy is regarding membership in the FEI, but the organization that governs the US equestrian teams for international events is the USEF. I know joining the MDA wouldn’t be enough to qualify on an international level, but is probably necessary along with your USEF membership for shows that are sanctioned or run by both organizations. See if these links help you along:
USEF rules for dressage: http://www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2009/08-DR.pdf
FEI qualification procedure for 2008 Olympics: http://www.fei.org/Disciplines/Dressage/Documents/Dressage_OG_2008_ENG.pdf
The USEF rules has all kinds of details of how movements should be executed, legal equipment, dress code, etc as well as some qualification information.
Hope that helps at least a little bit!