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Dressage rules and scoring

Rules related to scoring, calculating penalty points, and governing mandatory elimination in the dressage phase.

Rider saluting at the halt during a dressage test.

Rules

Horse and rider combinations have 45 seconds to enter the arena after the signal, typically a bell or a whistle.

 

If the horse and rider have not entered the arena within 45 seconds after the signal they will receive penalties (Error of Test - 2 penalty points).

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If 90 seconds have passed since the signal and the horse and rider have not entered the arena, they will be eliminated. 

 

Once in the arena, riders complete a designated EC Eventing dressage test. At the EV110 level and above, riders may complete an FEI dressage test.

Scoring 

Each dressage test includes a series of moves that are judged out of a maximum of 10. In dressage, marks are awarded from 0 to 10 on every move and are based on the following guidelines: 

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  • 10 - Excellent

  • 9 - Very good

  • 8 - Good

  • 7 - Fairly good

  • 6 - Satisfactory

  • 5 - Sufficient

  • 4 - Insufficient

  • 3 - Fairly bad

  • 2 - Bad

  • 1 - Very bad

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Where a move is not executed, the mark for that move will be ‘0’. Half marks may be awarded. In EC’s Eventing Dressage Tests (EV85-EV110) the move: ‘free walk on a long rein’ is weighted with a coefficient of ‘2’ and, when scored, is worth double marks. During the tests, marks are deducted for errors of course and errors of test.

 

Errors of course (going off course, omitting movements) are penalized as follows:

  • First error by 2 penalty points.

  • Second error by 4 penalty points.

  • Third error results in elimination.

 

Errors of test (e.g. not entering the arena in time, using your voice while riding, not taking the reins in one hand during the salute, rising instead of sitting at trot and vice versa) are penalized as follows: 

  • Every error of test incurs 2 penalty points.

  • Errors of test aren’t cumulative and therefore don’t result in elimination.

 

Some Causes of Elimination in Dressage

  • Not entering after 90 seconds (without a valid reason).

  • Lameness (no appeal).

  • Leaving the arena with all four feet of the horse during your test.

  • Any resistance longer than 20 seconds.

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The marks/movement, along with the collective marks are added together, deducting any error of course or test. The total of a riders ‘good marks’ is converted into percentage of the total number of points available for that test. That percentage figure is then subtracted from 100 to calculate the penalties for the purposes of their overall score. Higher percentages (i.e., more successful dressage tests) result in lower penalty marks. The lower the final score, the better the performance in eventing dressage scoring. Eventing dressage scores are presented to one decimal place on the final results.

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Collective marks

Riders also receive collective marks for the overall test.

 

In EC’s Eventing Dressage Tests (EV85-EV110), the collective mark is awarded for “Harmony of Athlete and Horse”, defined as “a confident partnership created by adhering to the scale of training.” This final mark, out of 10, is weighted with a coefficient of 2.  

 

An additional Eventing Dressage Test that may by used at the lowest level (EV60) is the 2024 ICE Eventing Dressage Test B (walk/trot/canter) which includes a collective mark based on the four elements of gaits, impulsion, submission and rider. The EV60 division may also continue to use the EV85 Eventing Dressage Test.

Example of dressage test scoring

A rider score 130 out of a possible 200 points on a dressage test. This translate to 65% of the total possible points. To calculate the penalties for their score, their percentage is subtracted from 100.

In this example, 100 - 65 = 35 penalty points. So, this rider has a penalty score of 35 in dressage.

Dressage tests for EC sanctioned events

EV60

  • EC Eventing Dressage Test EV85 1 and 2

  • 2024 ICE Eventing Dressage Test B (walk, trot, canter)

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EV78

  • EC Eventing Dressage Test EV85 1 and 2

  • 2024 ICE Eventing Dressage Test B (walk, trot, canter)

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EV85

  • EC Eventing Dressage - EV85 Test 1 and 2

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EV90

  • EC Eventing Dressage - EV90 Test 1 and 2

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EV100

  • EC Eventing Dressage - EV100 Test 1 and 2

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EV105

  • EC Eventing Dressage - EV105 Test 1 and 2

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EV110

  • EC Eventing Dressage - EV100 Test 1 and 2

  • FEI 2* Test A and B

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EV115

  • FEI 3* Test A and B

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