Dressage at Devon
Devon PA
2010

The definitive origin of the dressage arena letters is unknown, but there are two main theories, both of which originate in Germany.

Theory 1
Before 1918, markings were seen on the walls of the stable yard of the Royal Manstall, the Imperial German Court in Berlin. The marks indicated where each horse was positioned by its groom to await its rider. This was essential, as the Manstall housed 300 of the Kaiser’s horses.

The yard itself was called the “Hof,” and it was large enough to allow riders to assemble and parade for morning exercise. The yard measured roughly 20 meters by 60 meters, the size of a modern long dressage arena.

So, the letters marked on the walls of the Hof indicated the following:

A Ausgang ~ Exit
B Bannertrager ~ Standard Bearer
E Edeling/Ehrengast ~ Chieftain or Honoured Guest
F Fürst ~ Prince
H Hofsmarshall ~ Lord Chancellor
K Kaiser ~ Emperor
M Meier ~ Steward
P Pferknecht ~ Ostler or Groom
R Ritter ~ Knight
S Schzkanzler ~ Chancellor of the Exchequer
V Vassal ~ Servant/Squire/Equerry

That sounds like a reasonable theory, all but for the absence of the letter C.

Theory 2
The second theory involves the German cavalry.

The space between the stable blocks in the German cavalry barracks measured 20 meters by 60 meters and was used for general assembly and morning exercise.

It would be logical to assume that the cavalry would adopt similar markings to that of their predecessors in the Kaiser’s Court. However, in the German cavalry manual that was first published in 1882, you will see a diagram of the indoor exercise arena, the Reit Bahn, shown as measuring 40 meters by 20 meters.

In the Riet Bahn, the letters are shown as A, B, C, and D in each corner of the arena, and E and F as the middle markers on the long sides. These letters were used as a guide for riders as they practiced the school figures in training, rather than for competitions.

At the 1932 Olympic Games, dressage was included as a competitive riding discipline for cavalry officers.

The arenas used were measured at 60 meters by 20 meters.

Dressage tests made up of predetermined set movements were devised to demonstrate the correct, progressive training methods used by the cavalry, and to test the skills of combative riders and their horses.

Competitors were required to show collected and extended paces, rein-back, pirouettes, and flying changes.

There were five small obstacles to negotiate, including a barrel that was rolled toward an approaching horse and rider!

It’s likely that the Prix Caprilli riding tests, that are still used by some Pony Clubs today, originated from these early tests.

Right up until 1952, dressage at the Olympics was restricted to male commissioned officers only. Women and civilians were not allowed to compete! The rule was only changed when it was discovered that one member of the winning Swedish team in the 1948 games was, in fact, a non-commissioned rider!

https://howtodressage.com/dressage-theory/dressage-arena-letters/


So, next time you enter at A in collected canter or working trot and look for your first marker, you know that you’re riding in the hoofprints of those early cavalry officers!

Just be extremely thankful that you will only be facing the challenges of half-pass, shoulder-in, and perhaps a flying change or two, as thankfully, facing a rolling barrel and five jumps are not included in modern dressage tests, even at an advanced level!

Dressage has been called poetry in motion and ballet on horseback. Its beauty dates back hundreds of years and yet, today, continues to gain popularity across the county. Dressage is a French word meaning “training” and describes the sequential development of the horse’s suppleness, obedience and strength. The result is a breathtaking blend of power and artistry. Competition involves a series of movements based on a horse’s action, not unlike gymnastics or figure skating competitions.

For more than 40 years, Dressage at Devon (DAD) has brought top competitors, horses, trainers and judges from across the continent and around the globe together for one of the highest-rated international dressage competition.

https://dressageatdevon.org/about/

A TRADITION SINCE 1975

History
In 1965, a group of riding enthusiasts got together and formed a club, in response to the question “How come the kids get to have all the fun?” The idea of an adult pony club caught on and the Delaware Valley Combined Training Association or “DVCTA” was born.

The mission of the club is to provide instruction and training for members and to inform and demonstrate dressage to the public. So, in the early 70s, the club put on a successful dressage show at the Willcox’s Tory Hill Farm in Glen Mills, PA. Gaining in popularity, the show moved to The Radnor Hunt Club in Malvern, PA while continuing to search for a permanent home. We credit the late Pat Franco with the idea of moving the show to the Devon Horse Show Grounds and in 1975 Dressage at Devon or “DAD” was born.

The increasingly popular Fall Festival actually started as an Art’s & Craft’s Festival, a reflection of the “back to nature” culture of the 70s. At that time there were more horses than spectators, but the high level of enthusiasm among the competitors convinced the volunteer DAD committee that this was a show with great potential. Early on, most of the volunteers came from the ranks of the DVCTA membership. Today, volunteers come from all over the country.

The show continued to grow, added two days for the breeding show, adding exhibitions and larger classes. Today these efforts at improvements continue, with revamped scheduling, new classes in performance, new vendors, additional educational opportunities, and the increasingly popular Dressage Explorers.

Dressage at Devon has evolved into one of the most prestigious dressage competition in the hemisphere. It is an internationally rated dressage show as well as the largest open breed show in the world. The food vendors are rated as the best on the horse show circuit and the Festival area and overall venue is unique in the horse show world.

But what makes Dressage at Devon truly special is the dedication and efforts of our competitors, sponsors, volunteers and spectators. We couldn’t do it without you.