Triple-step dressage

'Triple-step' dressage (TSD) is a stylised form of pony-play dressage, developed in the UK by JJ. Its name derives from the basic triple- step footwork pattern in which the pony moves. The development of TSD has been inspired by two sources: the British Dressage Rulebook, and swing dance. TSD's highly stylised nature raises the benchmark for complexity in pony play to provide challenging and entertaining levels of work for both pony and trainer.

The basic element of triple-step dressage (TSD) is to train a pony to perform a repertoire of moves in its characteristic triple-step footwork pattern in response to her trainer's lead. The trainer leads the required move via a range of signals and pressures usually given by reins or by the touch of hand or crop.

After training to the harness and practice in basic triple-step gait, TSD offers challenging intermediate and advanced work, often at medium to fast tempos. The resulting highly-stylised dressage lends itself well to fitness work and performance-dance dressage. Basic TSD can be conducted on long reins (eg when training outdoors) but advanced work at high tempo requires short reins, making it suitable for indoor training. It's repeating, fluid, six-count rhythm is perfect for practicing to easy-tempo swing music from which its development was inspired!

TSD's six-point dressage training scale is a direct modification of the one used ny British horse dressage. In TSD the pony is trained and judged for the six attributes she must display: Relaxation, Rhythm, Posture, Connection, Straightness, and Momentum. Each point of style further demonstrates the pony's surrender to control and willingness to work, play and perform.

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