How to Ride the Introductory A (2008) Dressage Test

British Dressage Introductory Test A (2008) is a walk-and-trot test normally ridden in a 20m × 40m arena. It asks for straight centre lines, 20m circles, linked 10m half-circles, short walk transitions, free walk and a final halt. There is no canter.

This is an older, specifically dated test. If it appears in a class schedule, obtain the sheet from the organiser rather than learning a similarly named “Intro A” from a video or diagram. The organiser’s sheet and rules are the authority for that competition.

Introductory A (2008) route

The test begins in working trot down the centre line, without a halt, before turning right at C. The route then includes:

• a 20m trot circle on each rein;
• two transitions to walk, each for one horse length;
• two linked 10m half-circles in trot, changing the bend at X;
• a transition to medium walk;
• a diagonal in free walk on a long rein;
• a 20m circle in medium walk, returning to working trot between X and C;
• a diagonal change of rein in working trot;
• a final centre line, medium walk at X and halt at G.

The free walk has double marks on this test. These details come from an archived riding-club copy of BD Introductory Test A (2008); check them against the sheet supplied for your class.

British Dressage describes Introductory as its entry level, performed in walk and trot, with canter introduced at Preliminary. Each movement receives a mark out of ten and the total is converted to a percentage (British Dressage’s overview of the sport).

Ride the geometry before chasing an outline

Centre lines

Prepare the turn at A early enough to arrive on the centre line straight. Look towards C rather than down at the horse’s neck, keep your hands level and use both legs quietly to maintain the line. If the quarters drift, make a brief correction and then return to neutral rather than holding one rein.

Practise entering at A from both reins. Place cones on the centre line and check whether each one remains centred between the horse’s ears as you approach it. Using the corner and looking ahead are also among US Equestrian’s centre-line recommendations.

20m circles

In a 20m-wide arena, a 20m circle reaches from one long side to the other. Picture four equal quarters instead of pulling the horse around with the inside rein. Turn your eyes and breastbone along the curve, keep your weight centred and use the outside rein to guard the shoulder.

Checkpoint: the two halves should match. If the circle bulges, re-establish the outside boundary. If it becomes too small, look farther around the intended line, soften the inside rein and ride towards the correct track.

Linked 10m half-circles

At E, ride a 10m half-circle right to X; at X, ride a 10m half-circle left to B. Complete the first arc before changing the bend. Briefly straighten your torso and hands at X, then begin the second arc.

Practise the shape first in walk. Add trot when you can meet X consistently without leaning inward or turning your shoulders before the horse reaches the changeover point.

Make each transition clear

For each one-horse-length walk transition, prepare before the stated area. Grow tall, steady your rising and close your fingers without tipping backwards. Show clear walk steps, then return promptly to working trot; avoid shuffling through indistinct steps or continuing in walk beyond the required distance.

On the final centre line, change to medium walk at X before halting at G. Maintain the straight line through the downward transition. Ask for halt with balanced aids, become still once the horse stops and salute only after immobility is established.

British Dressage says trot work may be ridden sitting or rising at Elementary and below unless a test states otherwise. Its current competition guidance also says commanders are allowed in many ordinary classes but not in specified championships and qualifying contexts, so check the rules for your event (British Dressage competition guidance). For many Intro riders, rising trot is the easier option to ride without gripping or bouncing.

Show a genuine free walk

At F, allow the reins to lengthen progressively so the horse can stretch the neck forward and down while maintaining a purposeful four-beat walk. Follow the movement of the head and neck with supple elbows. “Long rein” does not mean dropping the contact suddenly or allowing the walk to lose energy.

Before H, shorten the reins gradually and recover medium walk without bracing your shoulders. Practise lengthening and gathering the reins in stages so the adjustment does not become an unintended halt aid.

A short off-horse routine for the rider

Rider posture, symmetry and balance can affect mechanical interaction with the horse, including during turns. A peer-reviewed biomechanics review also reports evidence supporting off-horse assessment followed by exercises targeted to identified rider limitations (Clayton and Hobbs, 2023).

Use this routine two or three times a week as general practice. It cannot reproduce the horse’s movement, and changes to mounted position should be developed with a qualified instructor.

1. Dead bug — 2 sets of 6 per side. Lie on your back with hips and knees at 90 degrees. Lower the opposite arm and leg without arching your back. Checkpoint: both sides of the pelvis remain equally heavy. The task is to keep the trunk organised while the limbs move independently.
2. Split squat — 2 sets of 6 per side. Stand in a short staggered stance and lower vertically, using a wall for balance if necessary. Checkpoint: the front knee tracks over the middle toes. Compare control between sides rather than forcing equal depth.
3. Single-leg balance — 2 rounds of 20–30 seconds per side. Stand tall with a soft knee and level pelvis. Progress by slowly turning your head left and right. Stop the set when you must lean or hike one hip to remain upright.
4. Half-kneeling hip-flexor stretch — 30 seconds per side. Tuck the pelvis slightly and shift forward without arching the lower back. The half-kneeling hip-flexor stretch guide gives setup cues and progressions.

Stop if an exercise causes pain. These drills can help you observe trunk control, balance and side-to-side differences, but they do not teach the horse’s responses or replace mounted coaching.

Final preparation checklist

• Confirm that the schedule specifies Introductory A (2008).
• Learn the route from the organiser-supplied sheet.
• Walk the route on foot in a marked arena.
• Practise individual movements before riding repeated full tests.
• Ask someone to watch from C for straightness and circle size.
• Check the event’s current rules for tack, dress, whips and commanders.
• Prioritise rhythm, accuracy and clear transitions rather than forcing a head position.

Your aim is to know the route well enough to organise each movement without rushing. Off the horse, practise staying centred while your arms and legs work independently; in the saddle, apply those qualities under your instructor’s guidance.