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Where the letters of the Dressage Manège come from?
Among the several theories explaining the origins of the markings of the arenas, there are two prob‐
able explanations for the lettering surrounding the Dressage Manège, both complementary to each
other which have more credence than the others.
Markings found on the walls of the Royal Manstall (Mews or Stables) of the Imperial German Court in
Berlin (prior to 1918) suggest that they indicated where each courtier or rider’s horse was to stand
awaiting their riders. The Manstall stabled 300 of the Kaiser’s horses, plus carriages and sledges. The
‘Hof’ ( stable yard) was large enough for the horses and their riders to parade for ‘morning exercise’ or
assemble for ceremonial parades. The ‘Hof’ was three times longer than the width, namely: 20m x
60m.
The markings on the walls of the Manstall were:
A Ausgang (Exit).
K Kaiser (Emperor).
F Fürst (Prince).
P Pferknecht (Ostler or Groom).
V Vassal (Servant/Squire/Equerry).
E Edeling/ Ehrengast (Chieftain or Honoured Guest).
B Bannertrager (Standard Bearer).
S Schzkanzler (Chancellor of the Exchequer).
R Ritter (Knight).
M Meier (Steward).
H Hofsmarshall (Lord Chancellor).
The German Cavalry is also credited with establishing the Markings. The space between the stable
blocks in many German Cavalry barracks were also measured 20m x 60m. This space was further used
for assembly and ‘morning exercise’ and it is not unreasonable to think that the Cavalry would adopt
similar markings as used in the Kaiser’s Manstall. However, the German Cavalry Manual,(HDV12, Reit‐
vorschrift (R.B.) 1882, revised 1912 and 1937) shows a diagram of the Reit Bahn (indoor school) as 40m
x 20m. With markings A B C D in the four corners and E F on the half school line. These markings were
to indicate school figures for the training of riders and not for competition.
As the Cavalry Officers wished to compete with others, the 60m x 20m arenas became the standard
size for Dressage competitions for the Olympics in 1932. The early rationale for competition was to use
the marking in the long arenas where movements are to be performed in a prescribed series according
to a laid down set of tests. These were to demonstrate their skills as riders, prove the progressive
training methods and the natural athletic ability and willingness of their horse to perform the required
movements in a relaxed and effortless manner. Initially, the tests comprised movements required for
military mounted combat to test the courage, calmness and obedience of their mount. These con‐
sisted of collected and extended gaits, turning on the hocks, rein‐back and perform four flying changes
on a straight line. They were also required to jump over five small obstacles, one of which was a barrel
rolled towards the oncoming horse.
Up to 1952 only Commissioned Officers were allowed to compete at Olympic Levels; Civilians, includ‐
ing female riders could not compete at this level of Dressage. Following the disqualification of the
Swedish Dressage team (1948) because one of the winning team was an Non Commissioned Officer,
the rules were changed to include Civilian riders and female riders.
The standard or ‘long’ arena is used for the Olympic Games and International FEI competitions. In
recent years it has also been used for tests at the lower levels. Many National organisations still used
the shorter arena 40m x 20m for the lower tests (Preliminary, Novice and Elementary) and for three‐
day Eventing in Dressage phase.
In 1932, the Olympic Committee introduced the marking so familiar today which are exactly the same
marking found on the walls in Berlin so many years before. The following letters were added to the
centre line the same year:
D, L, X, I, G, C.
There is no written record as to the meaning of these extra letters other than to indicate points for the
purpose of the test being undertaken at the time.
Among the several theories explaining the origins of the markings of the arenas, there are two prob‐
able explanations for the lettering surrounding the Dressage Manège, both complementary to each
other which have more credence than the others.
Markings found on the walls of the Royal Manstall (Mews or Stables) of the Imperial German Court in
Berlin (prior to 1918) suggest that they indicated where each courtier or rider’s horse was to stand
awaiting their riders. The Manstall stabled 300 of the Kaiser’s horses, plus carriages and sledges. The
‘Hof’ ( stable yard) was large enough for the horses and their riders to parade for ‘morning exercise’ or
assemble for ceremonial parades. The ‘Hof’ was three times longer than the width, namely: 20m x
60m.
The markings on the walls of the Manstall were:
A Ausgang (Exit).
K Kaiser (Emperor).
F Fürst (Prince).
P Pferknecht (Ostler or Groom).
V Vassal (Servant/Squire/Equerry).
E Edeling/ Ehrengast (Chieftain or Honoured Guest).
B Bannertrager (Standard Bearer).
S Schzkanzler (Chancellor of the Exchequer).
R Ritter (Knight).
M Meier (Steward).
H Hofsmarshall (Lord Chancellor).
The German Cavalry is also credited with establishing the Markings. The space between the stable
blocks in many German Cavalry barracks were also measured 20m x 60m. This space was further used
for assembly and ‘morning exercise’ and it is not unreasonable to think that the Cavalry would adopt
similar markings as used in the Kaiser’s Manstall. However, the German Cavalry Manual,(HDV12, Reit‐
vorschrift (R.B.) 1882, revised 1912 and 1937) shows a diagram of the Reit Bahn (indoor school) as 40m
x 20m. With markings A B C D in the four corners and E F on the half school line. These markings were
to indicate school figures for the training of riders and not for competition.
As the Cavalry Officers wished to compete with others, the 60m x 20m arenas became the standard
size for Dressage competitions for the Olympics in 1932. The early rationale for competition was to use
the marking in the long arenas where movements are to be performed in a prescribed series according
to a laid down set of tests. These were to demonstrate their skills as riders, prove the progressive
training methods and the natural athletic ability and willingness of their horse to perform the required
movements in a relaxed and effortless manner. Initially, the tests comprised movements required for
military mounted combat to test the courage, calmness and obedience of their mount. These con‐
sisted of collected and extended gaits, turning on the hocks, rein‐back and perform four flying changes
on a straight line. They were also required to jump over five small obstacles, one of which was a barrel
rolled towards the oncoming horse.
Up to 1952 only Commissioned Officers were allowed to compete at Olympic Levels; Civilians, includ‐
ing female riders could not compete at this level of Dressage. Following the disqualification of the
Swedish Dressage team (1948) because one of the winning team was an Non Commissioned Officer,
the rules were changed to include Civilian riders and female riders.
The standard or ‘long’ arena is used for the Olympic Games and International FEI competitions. In
recent years it has also been used for tests at the lower levels. Many National organisations still used
the shorter arena 40m x 20m for the lower tests (Preliminary, Novice and Elementary) and for three‐
day Eventing in Dressage phase.
In 1932, the Olympic Committee introduced the marking so familiar today which are exactly the same
marking found on the walls in Berlin so many years before. The following letters were added to the
centre line the same year:
D, L, X, I, G, C.
There is no written record as to the meaning of these extra letters other than to indicate points for the
purpose of the test being undertaken at the time.
