02/19/2024
Dressage is full of patterns. At the least, we use test patterns for competition. Some instructors use patterns almost exclusively, while others use them sparingly.
The Old Masters have used patterns for centuries. Some patterns date back to the 13th century. There are many advantages to using patterns: One, it gives the rider something to do to keep the ride interesting. It is easy to get sucked into riding around the edge of the arena or on a large circle. Patterns break up that monotony. Two, patterns also give a learning test for each of the movements. While a horse and rider may be able to ride a movement, such as shoulder-in, riding it within a pattern is a test to ensure it is solid as well as testing where the weaknesses may be.
Third, patterns not only draw out the weaknesses but also give riders a chance to strengthen them. If the horse falls out the shoulder in a movement, a pattern with a lot of turns can help to strengthen the weaknesses without trying to "micromanage" the horse in an attempt to fix it. This is probably the biggest reason for patterns. Patterns can set up the horse for using its body correctly, rather than the rider trying to put it together themselves. The Old Masters used to say, "Let the gymnastic work the horse." It takes a lot of pressure off the rider to try to put the horse together and hold it themselves, and the pattern has a way of explaining things to the horse the rider simply cannot.
Patterns also help with nervous, distractable, or excitable horses and riders. It gives them something to think about besides what is otherwise distracting or frightening. It's easy for riders to get "stuck in their brainspace," and patterns can help to get them out of their own heads.
Patterns also give us concrete tools for training. It can be difficult to replicate results outside of a lesson without some concrete tools to help make up for day-to-day differences. Patterns can help that.
Patterns are also buildable. You can start with a simple pattern and build onto it, which can make things easier to understand for both horse and rider (for example, taking a pattern that uses a lot of diagonal lines and then adding leg-yield or half-pass onto it). You can also start adding layers of precision and tact over time, such as asking for more softness or collection as the horse develops.
What Makes a Pattern?
Usually when we think of patterns, we think of geometric patterns we ride at different gaits. However, that is just the beginning of the world of patterns. Patterns can be much more subtle. Some patterns can just be transitions every so many strides. Some can be patterns of aids. They can vary widely, from a small pattern within six strides to a longer-lasting pattern over 9 rotations around the arena. Some can be extremely complicated, others very simple.
How to Make the Most of Them
There are certain things that will help set riders up for success in patterns. First, and I think the most important thing, is not to overthink the pattern. I've encountered many riders who overthink in the patterns. "Ok, heels down, shoulders back, now circle, suck in my stomach... oh my gosh, where am I? Oh no, get the horse round, more forward... I'm so lost and this pattern is making it worse!" It is so much simpler to just to focus on the pattern. Instead of thinking of your seat and whether the horse is round or forward enough, just focus on the pattern and touch up on the seat occasionally (such as in a simpler part of the pattern or at one spot in the arena). If you let the gymnastic work the horse, you'll find that you don't have to work so hard at all those other things.
The other challenge I notice people having is a lack of understanding of their space or basic geometric figures. Something riders can do is really learn their arena. Start by memorizing the spacing between letters. Most arenas nowadays are 20x40m or 20x60m. The letters have specific spacings in those arenas. However, if your arena is not a standard size, learn its dimensions. Many patterns take place in a square or rectangle, though some also are confined to a circle (hence you can use them in a round pen!). The standard arena is not an ancient dimension; riding arenas of the past were of various shapes and sizes. Most were squares or rectangles, some as small as 8x8m! As a rule of thumb, rectangles are the best arena shape for patterns, and it is easier to make patterns in arenas that have a width to length ratio of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 (for example, 20x20m, 20x40m, and 20x60m, or 12x12m, 12x24m, 12x36m). If your arena is an odd size, you can always mark out one that's easier to school in with cones or poles. Learn basic figures, like circles and squares, and use markers or cones to help you visualize them and make them more accurate.
Speaking of cones, cones are your friends! If you have a hard time visualizing the pattern, mark specific points with cones. I love using cones of all kinds of colors; each color can represent a different part of a pattern. Cones can also help riders visualize how patterns fit within and around the letters (as many of our basic figures don't fit neatly with the letters). Some like to use large cones, as they are harder to knock over, but I like smaller cones because they are easier to knock over and therefore a better test of accuracy.
Be careful when schooling patterns not to overwork the same pattern. School it only a few times within a ride and then move on. Don't work the same pattern every day for a week, but maybe only school it a couple of days in a row before moving on to a new one. This keeps things interesting and helps to expand your mind and imagination.
Pattern Sources
There are many good sources of patterns. The competition patterns are a good starting point; you don't have to ride the whole test to benefit from the patterns within. Remember, "tests" are not just tests; they are educational tools. There are also many good books. I like both volumes of Eleanor Russell's "Gymnastic Exercises," Maj. Anders Lindgren's book, Gueriniere's "School of Horsemanship," Charles Harris's "Notebooks from the Spanish Riding School," and the 101 Arena Exercises/101 Dressage Exercises books. There are many more resources out there, but these are a good start.
You can see why we teach and train with a lot of patterns! They provide concrete tools for students to take home, they can help get horses and riders out of their own heads, and they can be physically very beneficial. There is a time and place for working on precision on a simple arena figure, but it's easy to get sucked into only doing that. So, shake things up in your riding! Add some patterns and have fun with them! Let them do the work for you so you can enjoy your ride.
