Dressage

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Its fundamental purpose is to develop through standardized progressive training methods, a horse's natural athletic ability and willingness to perform, thereby maximizing its potential as riding. At the peak of a dressage horse's gymnastic development, it can smoothly respond to a skilled rider's minimal aids by performing the requested movement while remaining relaxed and appearing effortless.

Judges evaluate each movement on the basis of an objective standard appropriate to the level of the test and assign each movement a score from zero to ten- zero being "not executed" and 10 being "excellent." A score of 9 (or "very good") is considered a particularly high mark, while a competitor achieving all 6s (or 60% overall) should be considering moving on to the next level.