2025 Silent Dressage Rules v1.0

Document: 2025 Silent Dressage Rules Compendium v1.0
Author: Belle K
Date: 2025-09-21

Silent Dressage Field Overview

Introduction

Silent dressage is an opportunity for a pony to put its best foot forward. A pony can show off its grace and style. It showcases the pony’s level of communication with the trainer.

Teamwork is an essential part of silent dressage. A good dressage performance requires good coordination. The trainer needs to think carefully about the pattern and ensure they communicate it clearly, while the pony needs to be attentive to the trainer’s every move. This makes it a great way to demonstrate the bond between the trainer and the pony.

Overview

The Silent dressage field is a rectangular area measuring 30 meters by 22 meters. It is labeled with field markers, A-H, and J. I is omitted to prevent confusion. Field marker A marks the entrance to the field; the judges are assumed to be at the opposite end of the field, facing marker A. Within its boundary box, the Silent Dressage Field contains five distinct figures:

  • Figure 8
  • Circle
  • Slalom
  • Two Straight Lines

Figure 8

The Figure 8 is composed of two 10-meter diameter circles joined to forming a figure-eight. A start marker is placed at the intersection point of the two circles. Field markers B and J frame this figure.

Circle

The Circle figure is a 10-meter diameter circle, located at the center of the field. It includes two start markers, placed 180 degrees apart along the field’s centerline. The field markers framing this figure are C, D, G, and H.

Slalom

Positioned at the far end of the field, the Slalom figure spans the field’s full 22-meter width. Start markers at either end of the slalom are a minimum of 1.5 meter between the start marker and the field’s edge on both sides. The slalom’s field markers are E and F.

Two Straight Lines

The Line figures consist of two lines, one on each of the long sides of the field, usually with the Circle figure between them. Each line is 10 meters long, and has a start/finish marker at each end. The field markers for these figures are C and D for the left line, and G and H for the right line.

STANDARD SILENT DRESSAGE

Silent Dressage emphasizes grace and precision over speed. Trainers and ponies are encouraged to focus on fluid movement and accurate execution of the designated patterns throughout the field.

Procedure

Prior to each round, the trainer is provided with an instruction card, containing a randomly generated list of figures for the team to execute. This is not shared with the pony. The trainer and pony approach the field from the A-side, stopping just outside the boundary. They position themselves symmetrically on either side of marker A—trainer typically on the right, pony on the left. Once both are prepared, the trainer gives a signal to begin.

Together, they enter the field and proceed to the area just before the Figure 8, where they pause and bow or curtsy in unison toward the judges (located at the slalom end of the field during competition).

STARTING POSITION: Aligned at the A marker, outside the field boundary. Trainer on the right, pony on the left, both facing inward toward the field.

After the initial bow or curtsy, the trainer proceeds to the first marker indicated on the course card. The position and orientation for the trainer is determined by the figure the card calls for. The trainer’s path around the field is flexible—there’s no mandated route—but they must avoid crossing the edge lines. The pony follows the trainer to the indicated figure, and stands on the start marker (usually yellow) indicated by the trainer’s position and facing. In almost every case, the pony’s start position will be facing the judges (slalom end of the field).

The pony will execute the figure as required, in the correct direction and the required number of iterations. These are described under Figure Execution, below. The pony is encouraged to include expressive movement and stylistic flourishes, but not at the expense of elegance and precision. The pony must follow the pattern lines exactly, and start and stop on the yellow markers. There are no sharp turns in any figure.

When the pony completes the figure, the trainer moves to the next figure on the card and takes up the position and orientation called for. Once the trainer has moved into position, the pony will move to take the start marker of the new figure, then begin the figure. This continues through all figures listed on the card.

Once all figures in the pattern are completed, the trainer returns to the starting position, just inside the field near marker A, where the team first saluted the judges, and turns to face the slalom end of the field. The pony also returns to its matching position and faces the slalom end. Pony and trainer bow or curtsy in unison to the judges, then exit the field, commonly by stepping backward across the boundary line. The pony and trainer turn to face one another and bow/curtsy to each other, again in unison, before exiting the field.

Figure Execution

Figure 8

This foundational movement has two directional variations:

  • Figure 8 from J (also written as Figure 8 toward B)
  • Figure 8 from B (also written as Figure 8 toward J)

Each variation guides the orientation and flow of the figure across the field, helping define the pony’s path and the trainer’s positioning.

Figure 8 from J (or toward B)

Shown: Starting position for Figure 8 from J.

The trainer stands in the circle on the J side of the Figure 8, facing the B marker. The pony enters from the A-side, oriented toward the slalom and takes the yellow start marker. The pony begins by moving to the left (toward Marker B), recrossing the start marker to continue the other side of the Figure 8. This figure requires three iterations.

Figure 8 from B (or toward J)

The trainer stands in the circle on the B side of the Figure 8, facing the J marker. The pony enters from the A-side, oriented toward the slalom and takes the yellow start marker. The pony begins by moving to the right (toward Marker J), recrossing the start marker to continue the other side of the Figure 8. This figure requires three iterations.

Line

The Line figure consists of four directional forms, each indicating the starting point and orientation:

  • “From C” 
  • “From D” 
  • “From G”
  • “From H” 

Each variation defines the pony’s entry direction and the trainer’s alignment relative to the field. The trainer may stand on either side of the appropriate start marker in any of the Line figures. While the pony executes the figure, the trainer remains stationary.

Forward Line – From C or H

Shown: Starting position for a forward line (C or H). The pony will be moving forward.

The trainer stands on either side of the starting marker (C or H), facing it. The pony approaches the marker, oriented toward the slalom. It then walks forward along the line to the end marker and comes to a stop on the marker.

Backward Line – From D or G

Shown: Starting position for a backward line (D or G). The pony will be moving backward.

The trainer stands on either side of the starting marker (D or G), facing it. The pony approaches the marker, again facing the slalom. This time, the pony walks the line backward to stop on the end marker.

Circle

The Circle figure includes four directional forms, each indicating the orientation relative to a specific marker:

  • “Towards C”
  • “Towards D”
  • “Towards G” 
  • “Towards H”

These variations determine the pony’s direction of movement and the trainer’s positioning during the figure. Unlike the Figure 8, for the Circle, the trainer is always outside the figure.

Circle Towards C

The Trainer stands outside the “top” of the circle near the marker closest to the Figure 8, facing C. The pony stands on the marker aligned with the trainer. The pony walks three full iterations of the circle, and stops on the starting marker. This is a clockwise movement, as seen from the Judges’ end.

Circle Towards D

Shown: Starting position for Circle Toward D.

The Trainer stands outside the “bottom” of the circle near the marker closest to the Slalom, facing D. The pony stands on the marker aligned with the trainer. The pony walks three full iterations of the circle, and stops on the starting marker. This is a counter-clockwise movement, as seen from the Judges’ end.

Circle Towards G

The Trainer stands outside the “bottom” of the circle near the marker closest to the Slalom, facing G. The pony stands on the marker aligned with the trainer. The pony walks three full iterations of the circle, and stops on the starting marker. This is a clockwise movement, as seen from the Judges’ end.

Circle Towards H

Shown: Starting position for Circle Toward H.

The Trainer stands outside the “top” of the circle near the marker closest to the Figure 8, facing H. The pony stands on the marker aligned with the trainer. The pony walks three full iterations of the circle, and stops on the starting marker. This is a counter-clockwise movement, as seen from the Judges’ end.

Slalom

 The Slalom figure includes two directional forms, each indicating the starting point:

  • “From E”
  • “From F”

Slalom from E & Slalom from F

Shown: Starting position for Slalom from E.

The trainer stands on either side of the marker. The trainer must not turn their back to the judges. The pony approaches from the edge of the field and takes the start mark. It begins the slalom moving away from the trainer, and weaves through the poles in smooth, consistent curves, maintaining steady motion and flow. It avoids touching any of the poles, and maintaining an even distance from them.”

Additional Information

How to Walk Backwards

To walk backwards for Line D and Line G while using either buttgrab or mouselook, hold the “s” key or down arrow. If you see your avatar turn around when you try to walk backwards, try these steps to fix the issue.

First, make sure that “Allow avatars to walk backwards on your screen” is checked in your preferences. To access it, open Preferences and select the Move & View tab along the side, then select the Movement tab on the top. Make sure that there is a checkmark in the box next to this option, then click “OK”.

If this doesn’t fix the issue, you may be able to force your avatar to walk backwards by holding down W and S at the same time and then releasing W (while in buttgrab or mouselook). Alternatively, you can try holding the spacebar and S, then releasing spacebar.

If you still can’t walk backwards while doing the above, then your AO (animation overrider) may be causing the issue. Try turning off your AO. If turning off the AO allows you to walk backwards, you may want to use a different AO for silent dressage.

Timing and Rhythm

Advice for improving your timing during a silent dressage routine

Try to keep a consistent interval between moves. There is some room for personal style here, but consistency is key. We’ll use a three second interval for the examples below.

To begin, the trainer gives a signal to start. Both trainer and pony should silently count 3 seconds then step forward onto the field. After stopping, wait 3 seconds again and then bow. Once both have finished bowing, the trainer should wait 3 seconds again and move to the first figure. When the trainer stops at a figure, the pony should move to the indicated position.

After landing on a dot, the pony should wait 3 seconds then perform the figure. Once the pony has finished moving, the trainer should wait 3 seconds before moving to the next figure.

Once each figure has been completed, the trainer will then return to the point that they entered the field. When the trainer has stopped, the pony will then move into position. After the pony finishes moving, both should wait 3 seconds and then bow. Then after both have risen from the bow, wait 3 seconds again and walk off the field. Finally, pony and trainer take a step toward each other and bow.