Saddle Seat Vs. Dressage: Patterns

As I see it, given my understanding of both disciplines.

Figure 8

Dressage
Dressage

In a dressage figure 8, two perfect circles touch at one spot. The horse bends along the line of the circles. In an ideal world, the horse takes one straight stride directly over the center line while switching from one bend to the other. Ring geometry will indicate exactly where the figure should occur and will insure that the circles match. Performed down the length of the arena.

patterns s seat fig 8 update

In a saddle seat figure 8, each half is closer to a D than to a O. Take several strides down the “landing strip” in the center. On the curves, don’t go all the way to the rail. This takes too much time and annoys the judge. The second loop should match the first. Come back to the same place. A second figure 8 should follow the footsteps of the first. Performed across the width of the arena.

Serpentine

Dressage
Dressage

In a dressage serpentine, three half circles meet on the center line. Bend. One straight stride at center point. Follow ring geometry.

Saddle Seat
Saddle Seat

In a saddle seat serpentine, the loops are closer to u-shapes. Make sensible use of the arena. All loops should match.

Experienced saddle seat/dressage riders, yeah or nay?

Update

Saddle Seat, Mark II
Saddle Seat, Mark II

My advisors (comment below with corroborating experts) tell me this is a better representation of a saddle seat figure 8. The “double capital D” comment that I have heard is an aide memoire to keep riders from going off on a diagonal, thereby creating a giant X in the center. Not a desirable figure in dressage either. “I was taught to try to get it round, and 3 strides straight max. So it would be more of a two oval situation than your dressage loops.” Thank you Ms. Bourbon.

2 thoughts on “Saddle Seat Vs. Dressage: Patterns

  1. I’d say you’re spot on for the serpentine, but I would have to disagree with the figure 8. At least I was taught to try to get it round, and 3 strides straight max. Sot it would be more of a two oval situation than your dressage loops, but not nearly as flat as you have it drawn. I don’t know how they do it now but when I was a kid we even had to count the strides per quarter of the circle, to get them perfectly even around the circle and between the two circles. It’s still never going to be as exact as the dressage circles are, because the saddleseat horses just don’t bend the same way, but it should be at least an attempt at that!

  2. I tried so hard to get that dressage figure 8, but didn’t always get it. Sometimes they looked more like the saddleseat figure Ds. But it was a thrill when i did get that figure 8, even just schooling.

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