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FEI Revises All International Dressage Tests From 2027
· 2 min read
The FEI has revised international dressage tests at every level, effective 1 January 2027. Grand Prix and Prix St. Georges gain a movement where the horse takes the rein forward out of the hand, and a new Grand Prix for 8- to 11-year-old horses is added.
The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) announced on 13 October that it has revised its international dressage tests at every level. A dressage test is the set list of movements a horse and rider must show, in order, during a competition. The revised tests apply at all FEI events from 1 January 2027.
According to the FEI, the Dressage Strategic Action Planning Working Group recommended a full review of the tests, and the Dressage Test Writing Group studied the proposals over the past 12 months. The changes were also tried out by riders on horseback in Warendorf, Germany. The FEI says the aim is to include movements that better show the horse's suppleness, balance and self-carriage, and to make difficulty rise step by step across the levels in line with the Scale of Training.
What changes
German equestrian outlet Equi Pages, drawing on FEI material, reported these main changes.
- Grand Prix: On a circle in the final part of the test, the rider gives the reins forward and the horse follows them, stretching its neck forward and down. Riders may choose rising or sitting trot.
- Prix St. Georges: The same rein-giving movement is added.
- Medium Tour: Intermediate A and B are renamed Intermédiaire II A and B. A new Grand Prix A is added for CDI2* events and amateur competitions.
- Children: The canter section of the individual test has been changed. Serpentines in counter-canter and simple changes proved too hard for this age group, especially for young riders on large horses.
- Young horse tests: The tests for five-, six- and seven-year-olds each gain a simpler qualifying test (Preliminary A) for regular competitions. Six-year-olds must now show the rein-giving movement, and a new international Grand Prix is added for horses aged 8 to 11.
Why now
The start date, 1 January 2027, is also when the qualification period for the Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MER) for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games begins. Riders aiming for the Olympics will earn their qualifying scores under the new tests. Equi Pages noted that experts had long called for the rein-giving movement to be added to the Grand Prix.
What comes next
The full set of revised tests will be published on the FEI Dressage Tests page. The FEI has asked national federations to inform athletes, trainers, judges and other stakeholders of the changes before they take effect.