Within an arena are a set of letters that designate where movements are to be executed -- and also assist in judging specific distances, such as the size of a circle. Lower level tests may be performed in what is referred to as the short arena, which is 20 x 40 meters, while high level tests take place in a 20 x 60 meter arena.
(from http://www.camelotequestrian.com/dressage.htm)
Quadrille is a valuable educational and recreational activity. Horses (and riders) must be compatible and learn to balance and pace themselves in an organized fashion through the various movements and figures. It is an excellent tool for teaching the fine tuning of horse and rider communication and control that individual work on-the-rail cannot- it is one thing to be able to ask a horse to pick up a trot; it takes a much higher level of skill to be able to control the horse's speed and position at that trot to match its teammates. If set to music, the riders must also be able to follow the music and pace their progress in the routine.
Competition teams are made up of four riders, however, any number may be used for exhibition purposes, such as a Musical Ride, which consists of the execution of a variety of intricate figures and/or cavalry drills choreographed to music.
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Spacing -- both longitudinal (one behind the other) and lateral (side-by-side) -- within the group should stay the same. There is, however, no set, "correct" spaciong. Horses may be closer together or further apart depending on the experience of the group and the nature of the movements performed.
- Synchrony reflects the team's ability to perform with uniformity and precision as a group, whether changing direction or moving from one figure to another. Depending on the demands of the movement, the judge will look for transitions from one gait to another to be done successively at a certain point, or simultaneously as one.
- Alignment -- both longitudinal and lateral -- is so very dependent on synchrony in the execution of movements and figures that the two are scored together in the Collective Marks.
A figure formed when riders are coming in pairs from opposite directions on the centerline, and at the quarter markers (10 meters from each end of the arena) perform individual 10-meter circles, making the E-B line the center between the circles.
Column or File
Used interchangeably to describe riding one behind the other, either single file or double file (in pairs).
Fan Formation
When coming down the centerline in pairs for a salute, the second pair splits and the riders fan out to come up along side of the center pair.
Pass Through
Refers to pairs approaching each other, making sufficient room to allow one horse to pass between the approaching two horses.
Thread the Needle
A movement in which riders coming single file from the corners of the arena cross each others' path alternately on the centerline
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Finding or writing music for quadrille poses many challenges.
The first is having to use fixed tempos to match the three gaits the horses will be using: Trot, Canter and Walk.
Second, the music must be timed to match the movements of a routine, along with the tempo restrictions, but must somehow come together as a cohesive and inspirational musical statement.
Each quadrille composition starts with an introduction that underscores the riders entering the ring and coming to a stop to acknowledge the judging stand. After the pause, the routine begins.
In an ideal performance, the riders and horses flow to the music in a breathtaking display of agility, finesse, balance and control.
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The idea of the Musical Ride video & DVD is to enable Groups who were unable to leave their home base the opportunity of competing against other groups from around the Country. The Groups have the choice of two classes:
The Musical Ride is a themed ride or based on a story and it is performed in costume