Do you know your Dressage Rules?

USEF Rule DR 117 The Position and Aids of the Rider.

1. All the movements should be obtained without apparent effort of the rider. He should be well balanced with his loins and hips supple, thighs and legs steady and well stretched downward. The upper part of the body easy, free and erect with the hands low and close together without, however, touching either each other or the horse and with the thumb as the highest point; the elbows and arms close to the body enabling the rider to follow the movements of the horse smoothly and freely and to apply his aids imperceptibly. This is the only position making it possible for the rider to school his horse progressively and correctly.

2. Not only the aids of the hands and the legs but also of the seat are of great importance

in dressage. Only the rider who understands how to contract and relax his loin muscles at the right moment is able to influence his horse correctly (compare DR102.2, DR108 and DR115.3).