Where the Hell is X???

We all know that X marks the spot. But what spot??? In a dressage arena X marks a very specific spot but one where no treasure is likely to be found unless you consider horse crap treasure (The amount I spend to have horse crap produced, perhaps it is treasure :s).

 But before we find X, we need to learn a little more about the dressage arena.

The dressage arena is where the rider-horse team play or perform their test. I didn’t know this but there are two sizes for a dressage arena – the short arena measuring 20m by 40m and the standard arena measuring 20m by 60m. Notice it is in metric (metres) as opposed to imperial (feet). I assume that must be traditional due to the French influence (Note – it was a Frenchman who created the metric system).

The standard dressage arena is separated into quadrants indicated by letters. Separating the 20m width in half are letters A (at the back of the arena) and C (at the front of the arena – where the judge sits). When the rider enters the arena for a test, they enter at A. The line between C and A is often referred to as “center line”.

The length of the arena is split up into various sections. B and E mark each side of the center of the arena. The length is then split up into twelve metre section moving from the center in either direction and marked by additional letters. After the final letters, there are six metres remaining to the end of each side of the arena (see the picture below).

 

(Source: Dressage Academy.  Retrieved Jan 30, 2014
from http://www.dressage-academy.com/dressage-arenas.php)

Okay, so after all that, where the hell is X???? There is no X in the picture.

X marks the center of the arena – half way between C and A and between B and E. Other letters have also been assigned marking the center distance between the twelve metre segments along the length of the arena. Between R and S is indicated by I. Between M and H is indicated by G. Between V and P is indicated by L. And between K and F is indicated by D.

So now we know where X is. But what I still do not know is why these specific letters? Perhaps someone else can help me understand. After all, I’m just a dumb dressage dad.

DDD

Welcome to my blog - Dressage for Dads

Welcome to my inaugural blog. I've never done this before so your patience is appreciated.

I figure a good place to start with this is to tell you a little about how I got to where I am today - a DDD (stands for Dumb Dressage Dad). And dumb in so many ways from horses to horsemanship to horse addicts. My daughters (now 18 and 15) have been riding horses for about 10 years. I blame my wife for this by wanting to live her childhood dream vicariously through our daughters. But that's all water under the bridge since I have now "bought in".

My daughters started taking lessons in Hunter/Jumper and Western riding. Getting a little more serious, they started competing in local shows and then leasing horses and finally owning horses. And unlike dogs and cats, accessorizing horses is an extremely expensive endeavour! It's called the "Sport of Kings" for a good reason.

My youngest daughter, about three years ago, decided she wanted to focus more on dressage to improve her equitation skills and has since gotten hooked. She has competed locally and nationally and wants to start competing internationally. As a dad, I guess it's better for my daughters to "be in the stalls instead of the malls" so I completely support it...and support it I do.

But dressage is an extremely complex discipline bereft with nuance and precision. So the more I learn, the dumber I feel. But I will try to pass on what I learn about dressage here for any other dads interested in learning more about it. Stay tuned...