Where do those Dressage Letters Come From?
K E H.......
Nobody knows exactly what the letters are around the dressage arena. They first appeared during the Olympic Games in the 1920's. Nowadays it is hard to imagine how anyone could remember their dressage test if the letters were not there! Dressage letters are used both to guide the rider and to indicate to dressage judges how much control the rider has over their horse. Perfect dressage movements in a test involve changing transitions when the horse's shoulder is directly opposite a particular letter. Circle exercises are also performed from one letter to another.
Apart from when the arena is used for a dressage test or practice, the dressage letters are very useful during riding lessons. Just imagine how difficult the instructor would find it when giving instructions to change the rein if the letters were not there!
K E H.......
Nobody knows exactly what the letters are around the dressage arena. They first appeared during the Olympic Games in the 1920's. Nowadays it is hard to imagine how anyone could remember their dressage test if the letters were not there! Dressage letters are used both to guide the rider and to indicate to dressage judges how much control the rider has over their horse. Perfect dressage movements in a test involve changing transitions when the horse's shoulder is directly opposite a particular letter. Circle exercises are also performed from one letter to another.
Apart from when the arena is used for a dressage test or practice, the dressage letters are very useful during riding lessons. Just imagine how difficult the instructor would find it when giving instructions to change the rein if the letters were not there!
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Dressage Facts
History of Dressage Letters
There are two main theories - one is that they were the initials of the first cities that the Romans conquered.
The most likely explanation for the dressage letters comes from the days of the Old German Imperial Court. Courtiers representing the various dignatories would be positioned around the stable yard in a strict order with the horses ready to ride.
The ranks were:
K = Kaiser
F = First Prince
P = Pferdknecht/Ostler
V = Vassal
E = Edeling/Ehrengast/Guest of Honour
B = Bannertrager/Standard Bearer
S = Schzkanzier/Chancellor of the Exchequer
R = Ritter/Knight
M = Meier/Steward
H = Hofsmarshaller/Lord Chancellor
The observant among you will notice that letters on the centre line are also used, A, D, L, X, I, G and C. Where these just letters from the alphabet to fill in the gaps, or is there a real reason behind them?
There are two main theories - one is that they were the initials of the first cities that the Romans conquered.
The most likely explanation for the dressage letters comes from the days of the Old German Imperial Court. Courtiers representing the various dignatories would be positioned around the stable yard in a strict order with the horses ready to ride.
The ranks were:
K = Kaiser
F = First Prince
P = Pferdknecht/Ostler
V = Vassal
E = Edeling/Ehrengast/Guest of Honour
B = Bannertrager/Standard Bearer
S = Schzkanzier/Chancellor of the Exchequer
R = Ritter/Knight
M = Meier/Steward
H = Hofsmarshaller/Lord Chancellor
The observant among you will notice that letters on the centre line are also used, A, D, L, X, I, G and C. Where these just letters from the alphabet to fill in the gaps, or is there a real reason behind them?
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