The Dressage arena is a measured symmetrical space for training a horse with very specific dimensions that serve a valuable purpose. First off, the court as its called is 60 meters long and 20 meters wide. Mathematically its 3 times longer than its width which creates a space for 3 evenly sized circles to be ridden down its length. These are 20 meter circles- the first size of circle where a horse must begin to bend. Anything larger and the horse can negotiate it in balance without having to bend or thus gymnasticize himself. Since the primary aim of dressage is to gymnasticize the horse, its only logically that a dressage court is sized to begin t his process.
Circles ridden from the center line to the wall are then half the width in diameter, or 10 meter circles. 10 meter circles really begin to test a horse's capacity to bend. Lateral movements such as shoulder-in, haunches-in and half-pass require the same bend as a 10m circle.
The horse and rider begin to develop the skills for full 10m circles each time they come through the end of the ring and turn down the centerline. On a young horse, this turn can be ridden as a half of a circle rather than two corners with a brief straight period. In this way, the young horse gets his first introductions to the degree of bend he'll need for lateral movements.
As horses gain strength and suppleness and the riders better control and timing of their aids, they can traverse the corners of the arena as if they were quarters of 8 and even 6m circles. This takes a great deal of sophistication in ones horsemanship and training. Paying close attention to the dimensions of the ring and the size of figures ridden with good balance tells the rider a great deal about how the horse is or is not developing. Tighter figures should become gradually easier to ride in a balanced way.
The letters of the dressage arena have an uncertain origination, but they are extremely important. They are markers to guide the rider into precise figures and accurate transitions. Riders should be looking ahead and planning where they are going, not staring down at their hands, or their horse as so many do. Focusing ahead with a plan in mind immediately makes it evident when and where the horse listens, cooperates, or the rider miscues or misguides. Only then can fair and accurate corrections be made. Too often riders can be seen blaming and even punishing their horses for falling through a turn when it was never clear to the onlooker where the rider had planned on going. The rider wandered aimlessly and blamed it on the horse. Likewise a rider who plans well seems to never have to say anything to the horse. One can hardly see what they do for they can feel so quickly the slightest deviation as to communicate soflty and quickly to the horse where they intend to go. Horses ridden in this way are confident, calm and content.
Standard dressage tests are written so that they are presented in an arena this size. The US Equestrian Federation designs tests every 4 years that progress through levels and give a set pattern, movements, and transitions to be ridden at each level in a standard arena. Riders, even non-competitive riders can and should learn/practice riding these tests to advance their skills, find weaknesses in their training, and set new goals of achievment for themselves.
Friends can even gather to video each others rides and then discuss them. They do not NEED to be competitive. But, if that is to your desires, go for it! Riding a test several times in a season in front of a judge is exciting and rewarding. Learning to boost ones score makes each days training have purpose and a goal, but it also gives one a great sense of accomplishment.
Until then, happy riding!
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