Reading and Riding a Dressage Test Sheet in 5 Steps

What exactly is in a test sheet?

A dressage test sheet consists of numbered movements, each with a corresponding letter or letter combination in the arena, a description of the movement, and a maximum score of 10 points. Preliminary-level tests often have 15 to 20 numbers; at higher levels there can be 30 or more. In addition to the individual scores, there are also collective marks for rideability, impulsion, and seat. By understanding the structure in advance, all you need to memorise is the order — you already know the movements themselves.

Always start by drawing the arena

Take a sheet of paper and draw a rectangle of 20 by 40 or 20 by 60 metres. Place all the letters in the correct positions: A, K, V, E, S, H, C, M, R, B, P, F and the centre letters L, X, I. Then go through the test sheet point by point and draw each figure as an arrow or line in the arena. This takes no more than 10 minutes and gives you a visual overview that sticks far better than text alone. You immediately see whether two circles follow each other, or whether after a medium trot you need to transition straight into shoulder-in.

Recognise recurring patterns

• Tests almost always begin with riding in along the long side and a halt at X or G.
• Transitions often fall on the quarter points K, F, M and H or on the centre letters.
• 10-metre circles regularly appear at E or B; 20-metre circles cover the entire half of the arena.
• Simple or flying changes through the diagonal almost always start before the middle of the diagonal, giving you time after X.
• The final movement is almost always a free walk or a halt-salute at X or G.

Learn the test sheet in three read-throughs

First read-through: read the test from start to finish without stopping, just to get the big picture. Second read-through: walk through the test on foot while saying the letters in your head. Third read-through: ride the test on a floor plan or in your mind while sitting on the sofa. After going through the test sheet three times, most riders already know it 80 percent. The remaining 20 percent — the subtle details such as which rein to take after the second circle — you record in the EquiSight horse profile as a short note, so you can check them on the morning of the competition.

Practising: use turning points as anchors

Divide the test into blocks of 4 to 6 movements around a clear turning point, such as the short side at C or a centre line at X. Practise each block separately until you ride it fluently, then combine the blocks. Set a 30-minute training block in the EquiSight calendar purely for riding the test, separate from your regular training. This way you don't tire yourself out and your concentration stays high.

• Block 1: entry through to the first circle.
• Block 2: the first diagonal and any transition.
• Block 3: the movements in canter or extended strides.
• Block 4: second part of the arena through to the final movement.
• Block 5: final movement and halt-salute including the walk-out.

Use EquiCoach for test-specific tips

If you are unsure about a particular movement — for example, exactly when to initiate the transition to medium trot before letter M — ask EquiCoach. The intelligence gives you a concrete explanation based on rideability and arena usage, without needing to call an instructor. You can also ask which mistakes judges most frequently mark down for a particular movement, so you know what to pay extra attention to during the competition.

Competition day: five practical points to keep in mind

• Always bring a printed copy of the test sheet, even if you know it by heart — regulations sometimes require this.
• Walk the arena 15 minutes before your warm-up and go through the letters one more time on foot.
• Ask your trainer or a riding friend to stand on the side with the test sheet in hand.
• Use your warm-up to test the specific transition points, not to practise new movements.
• Note immediately after the test what you forgot or missed in the EquiSight horse profile for next time.