Arena and figures
Discover how a dressage arena is laid out: where every letter sits and how the main school figures are ridden across it. Choose the arena you want to view.
Small arena 20 x 40 m
Large arena 20 x 60 m
- Letter
Arena letters
The arena is marked with letters that fix reference points. The small arena (20x40 m) has eight letters around the edge (A, K, E, H, C, M, B, F, clockwise from A) and three on the centre line (D, X, G). The large arena (20x60 m) adds V, S, R and P on the long sides and L and I on the centre line. A classic mnemonic for the outer letters is All King Edward's Horses Can Move Bravely Forward (A-K-E-H-C-M-B-F).
| Letter | Position | Distance from A (m) |
|---|---|---|
| A | Short side | 0 |
| C | Short side | 60 |
| K | Left long side | 6 |
| V | Left long side | 18 |
| E | Left long side | 30 |
| S | Left long side | 42 |
| H | Left long side | 54 |
| F | Right long side | 6 |
| P | Right long side | 18 |
| B | Right long side | 30 |
| R | Right long side | 42 |
| M | Right long side | 54 |
| D | Centre line | 6 |
| L | Centre line | 18 |
| X | Centre line | 30 |
| I | Centre line | 42 |
| G | Centre line | 54 |
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A
A
A is in the middle of the short side where the rider enters the arena, opposite C. In both arenas A is 10 m from each corner.
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K
K
K is on the first long side just after A (clockwise), 6 m from the corner at the entry short side.
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E
E
E is in the middle of the first long side, directly opposite B.
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H
H
H is on the first long side just before C, 6 m from the corner at the far short side.
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C
C
C is in the middle of the far short side, opposite A, 10 m from each corner.
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M
M
M is on the second long side just after C, 6 m from the corner at the far short side.
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B
B
B is in the middle of the second long side, directly opposite E.
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F
F
F is on the second long side just before A, 6 m from the corner at the entry short side.
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V
V
V only occurs in the large arena (20x60 m). V is on the first long side between K and E, 18 m from the entry short side.
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S
S
S only occurs in the large arena (20x60 m). S is on the first long side between E and H, 42 m from the entry short side.
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R
R
R only occurs in the large arena (20x60 m). R is on the second long side between M and B, directly opposite S.
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P
P
P only occurs in the large arena (20x60 m). P is on the second long side between B and F, directly opposite V.
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D
D
D is on the centre line, 6 m after the entry at A, in line with the corner letters K and F.
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X
X
X is exactly in the centre of the arena, at the intersection of the centre line and the line E-B.
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G
G
G is on the centre line just before C, in line with the corner letters H and M.
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L
L
L only occurs in the large arena (20x60 m). L is on the centre line between D and X, in line with V and P.
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I
I
I only occurs in the large arena (20x60 m). I is on the centre line between X and G, in line with S and R.
School figures
School figures are the set geometric patterns ridden across the arena in dressage: circles, voltes, figures of eight, serpentines, changes of rein and lines. They are defined by their exact geometry and by the letters used as reference points.
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20-metre circle
The largest standard circle in dressage, as wide as the arena.
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Volte
A small circle; the smallest circular figure in dressage.
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Figure of eight
Two equally sized circles that together form the shape of a figure of eight.
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Serpentine
A series of equal loops that wind from one long side to the other.
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Change of rein across the diagonal
A straight diagonal through the centre with which the rider changes rein.
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Centre line
The straight line from A to C that divides the arena into two equal halves.
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Half circle
Half of a circle, often followed by a straight line back to the track.
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Leg-yield line
The shallow, slanted line along which the horse moves forwards and sideways.