7
UNIVERSAL OVERVIEW
Principles, Concepts, Language and Definitions
The following explanations and definitions are considered essential and universal across all levels of teaching, training, and
competition. They provide the foundation for correct teaching of riders and training of horses for the sport of eventing.
The Training Scale
The progressive training of horses and riders for dressage and jumping is based on the Training Scale.
German Training Scale
From The Principles of Riding, p. 136, German National Equestrian Federation.
New USDF translation of the German (9/2006) shown below.
COLLECTION
(Increased Engagement, Lightness of
the Forehand, Self-Carriage)
STRAIGHTNESS
(Improved Alignment and Balance)
IMPULSION
(Increased Energy and Thrust)
CONNECTION
(Acceptance of the Bit through
Acceptance of the Aids)
RELAXATION
(With Elasticity and Suppleness)
RHYTHM
(With Energy and Tempo)
Long-range progress in training with horse starts with Rhythm and moves upwards to Collection.
Everyday training also starts with Rhythm and addresses the other concepts as well, with the level of
achievement being at or for some moments above the horse's current degree of development.
PENDULUM OF ELASTICITY OF GAITS
RHYTHM
BALANCE
Physical
Development
through
Progressive
Conditioning.
Increasing
Throughness
and
Obedience.
Shortening << >> Lengthening
strides strides
Piaffe <<<<<<< >>>>>>> Extension
Passage
Collection <<<< >>>> Medium
