Oct. 20, 2026
Early reviews of international dressage tests to be introduced for competitions beginning next Jan. 1 have received positive reviews from American and German riders.
“I actually like the idea of adding a stretching circle to the Grand Prix because I think we need to go back to the basics,” said Marcus Orlob who rode on the U.S. team at the 2024 Olympics, We ask so much collection from our horses at this level, but we also need to allow them to stretch, relax, and stay connected.
“I also think moving the collected walk to a different part of the test is a great idea. It gives the judges a much better opportunity to see the quality of the walk, the rhythm, and whether the horse maintains a clear four-beat walk without tension.
“For me, good dressage is about harmony and correct training, not just performing difficult movements. A horse should be able to show both collection and relaxation. Of course, we’ll have to see how the new test rides and how the judges score it, but overall I think these are positive changes that bring us back to the fundamentals of good dressage.”
The new for all international tests were prepared over the past year by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Dressage Test Writing Group and are available at https://inside.fei.org/fei/your-role/organisers/dressage/tests. The new tests to to “include movements that better demonstrate suppleness, balance and self-carriage” are a step in an overhaul of international dressage that will climax with proposed revisions of rules to be debated at the annual FEI General Assembly this year.
Katharina Hemmer, who was on Germany’s gold medal team at the World Championships in Aachen August rode the new version of the Grand Prix at a test event.
“For me it went well and fluent,” she said. “I don’t think it will be a problem for a classical trained horse to show the stretching in the test.”
Adrienne Lyle, three-time Olympian for USA and with an extensive training program, said: “I think it’s important as riders we are willing to embrace change and stay open-minded. Our training programs should focus on creating a proper connection where the horse stretches to the bit softly and willingly, so from a training perspective I welcome it. I know there is a lot of debate about the length of test and those ramifications so hopefully it can be evaluated honestly and see how it works, or doesn’t work, for that aspect of the sport, and make any changes necessary as we go.”
Kevin Kohmann based in Wellington and in pursuit of his fourth straight World Cup Final start, commented: “I do like the stretchy circle because it’s classical riding and it’s actually good for the horses to have people practice this more. My horses are all very good at it so it’s very good for me.
“The change of the walk I don’t think was really necessary but also for training purposes it’s better to walk longer before you passage than coming right out of the corner and having to passage.”
