Complete Guide to Federated Dressage in Spain

Updated: June 2026. Indicative information based on current RFHE regulations.

Federated dressage in Spain is regulated by the Royal Spanish Equestrian Federation (RFHE) under the international frameworks of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). Categories and regulations may evolve; it is advisable to check the current version with the RFHE before competing.

The training scale: the theoretical foundation

Before discussing categories, it is helpful to understand the German training scale—an internationally accepted conceptual framework. It proposes six progressive pillars that any dressage horse must consolidate:

Rhythm. Regular cadence in all three gaits.
Suppleness. A relaxed horse, free of tension.
Contact. Connection without tightness between the rider's hand and the horse's mouth.
Impulsion. Thrust from the hindquarters, forward energy.
Straightness. The horse is straight, without lateral deviation.
Collection. Concentration of the gaits, flexed hindquarters, greater expression.

Each dressage level works on these elements with progressive requirements. The rider who understands the scale approaches their work more effectively.

RFHE categories: from beginner to high-level competition

The RFHE structures tests into categories based on rider age and technical level. The standard categories (consult updated regulations):

Categories by rider age

Children. Up to 14 years old (approximate).
Pony Riders. Riders up to 16 years old riding a pony.
Juniors. 14-18 years old.
Young Riders. 16-21 years old.
Seniors. Adults in general.

Technical levels in adult dressage

Tests are structured by technical difficulty:

Promotional (Promoción)

Introduction to competition. Trot and canter in their basic variations, without advanced lateral steps or series flying changes. Suitable for riders with 1-3 years of experience.

Preliminary (Preliminar)

First official level. Basic gaits with slightly higher technical demands. Sitting trot, precise transitions between gaits.

Elementary (Doma 1)

Gaits in different variations: free walk, extended walk, medium trot. Introduction of soft lateral movements.

Medium (Doma 2-3)

Lateral steps (leg yield, shoulder-in, half-pass). Collected gaits. Collected and medium canter.

Intermediate I

Flying changes, canter pirouettes. Greater expression and collection.

Intermediate II

Series of flying changes, initial piaffe, nascent passage.

Grand Prix

Highest level. Piaffe, passage, series of flying changes at every stride, perfect pirouettes. This is the Olympic Games level.

Reprises: the specific tests

Each level has several reprises: choreographed sequences that the rider performs from memory. The movements are pre-established, and judges score each movement from 0 to 10 with decimals.

The reprises are memorized. Serious riders work on each reprise for weeks or months before competing in it. There are even reprises (left to right first) and odd ones (vice-versa).

The dressage arena

Tests are performed in an arena measuring 20x40 meters (basic categories) or 20x60 meters (medium and high categories). The arena has letters marked in specific places (A, K, V, E, S, H, C, M, R, B, P, F) that mark the points where the movements are executed.

Learning the letters and their positions is one of the first steps in competitive dressage. Each movement of the reprise is linked to specific letters in the arena.

Required equipment

For the rider

VG1 approved helmet. Mandatory.
Jacket. Black, dark blue, or club color in basic categories. Black or dark blue tailcoat from Intermediate II onwards.
White shirt with stock tie.
Breeches. White or beige.
Boots. Tall, leather, black.
Gloves. White at high levels. Dark gloves accepted in basic categories.
Whip. Regulated length (consult the category's regulations).
Spurs. Not mandatory but standard from intermediate levels onwards.

For the horse

Dressage saddle. Deep seat, long straight flaps.
Bridle. English with a noseband at basic levels. Double bridle (bridoon + curb bit with curb chain) from Intermediate I onwards.
Saddle pad. White or a subdued color. Rectangular in classical dressage.
Bandages or boots. NOT allowed in competition (only in training).

License and federation

To compete officially, the following is required:

RFHE federal license or the corresponding regional federation license.
Federated horse with an annual license.
Up-to-date documentation of vaccinations (especially equine influenza) and equine passport.
Civil liability insurance.

Approximate cost: €60-100 for the rider's annual license + €30-80 for the horse's license + entry fees for each test (€30-100 depending on the test).

Typical calendar for a dressage competitor

Although every rider adapts their own schedule, a typical competition season is:

January-February. Preparation. Technical work, improvement of gaits. First tests in mild climates (Andalusia, the Levant).
March-June. Active season. Monthly territorial tests, possible training camps.
July-August. Partial pause. Some summer shows but lower activity.
September-November. Closing season with championships.
December. Scheduled rest for horse and rider.

Dressage horses: common breeds

In high-level international classical dressage, certain breeds dominate:

KWPN (Dutch). Prevalent in world-class high competition.
Hanoverian. Another historical German sports horse.
Westphalian, Trakehner, Oldenburg. Other German sports horses.
Pura Raza Española (PRE). Iconic Spanish horse, specialized in dressage with broad and elevated movements.
Lusitano. Portuguese cousin of the PRE, also a reference in classical dressage.

The PRE and Lusitano especially excel in exhibition and high school tests. In international FEI competition, the KWPN and Hanoverians are more common on the podiums.

How to choose your first test

If you have been riding seriously for 1-2 years and are considering competing, the usual path is:

Talk to your instructor about your actual level.
Participate in an internal club test first, without a federal license, to get to know the atmosphere.
After 1-2 internal tests, obtain a license and compete in a territorial Promotion class.
Progress through categories based on results and technical consolidation.

Skipping steps does not work. Riders who advance slowly but consolidate their skills usually go further in the long run than those who accelerate without a foundation.