Simplified Dressage | Bronze Butterflies

THE SIMPLIFIED DRESSAGE METHOD & DICTIONARY

WHAT IS SIMPLIFIED DRESSAGE?

The SDM is about gaining a deep understanding of dressage in a simple way. Rather than focusing on memorizing a long list of moves, we use the SDM to explore the possibilities of dressage, learning and experimenting with complex moves easily. Some ideas behind the SDM include ease for the rider, strong fundamental skills, understanding of how and why dressage works, and precision. To those ends, we put an emphasis on ideas and techniques in the form of Dressage Theory. To us, dressage moves make up a vocabulary of interesting ways techniques and possibilities combine, and dressage is about learning them and bringing them out, rather than the purpose of techniques being a tool to learn moves.

At the heart of the SDM there are just 8 moves, the Curl Divisions, the moves which make up practically all others. We don't give slight variations or certain combinations of moves their own name, but rather command whatever combination of moves we want in-the-moment (Spontaneous Moves), which is why there's so little to memorize. Along with knowledge of Dressage Theory, circles/curves, and individual developments, SDM riders can do anything from transitions to pinwheels to riding entire routines with only a single "go" called. Using these building blocks along with affixes, distributions, and some creative label patterns and placements, we have fun trying new things each time we step foot into the arena!

By having our dictionary publicly available, we hope to offer a different perspective on dressage that can enrich the community. We welcome anyone and everyone to be inspired by and use parts or all of the SDM in your own dressage endeavors—we just ask that you give BB credit!

The SDM is more than what is written in this dictionary; more important than its collection of moves and theory concepts and definitions is the experience of learning and performing it. The best way to learn the SDM is in Bronze Butterflies, but we do offer regular public lessons, which you can read more about below!

Learn More

The ideas behind the SDM began in 2016 in the first dressage club Light (Alessia Lightbell, BB owner and founder, and creator of the SDM) owned. This was near the beginning of the era of dressage on the North American servers, before voice commanding, before SSD, and before the wide variety of techniques and moves that are widespread today. Through three clubs, Opal Saddles, Red Champions, and finally Bronze Butterflies, simplified dressage has developed almost entirely independent of SSD's dictionary and common techniques (which we refer to as standard dressage), and with different underlying principles & values, which makes it quite different than all other dressage methods used today.

Over time, the SDM has taken on ideas and moves here and there, including a few fundamental moves and techniques, and most notably the Meter System that originated in Terrific Tigers, but the underlying ideas, organization, and experience of practicing the SDM remain unique.

The SDM will continue to grow, change, and improve over time, and we can't wait to see where it takes us! You can be notified of updates to the SDM with the @Ping Dictionary Updates role in our open discord server!

The History of The Simplified Dressage Method

The Principles That Govern Simplified Dressage

The underlying values behind the structure and content of the SDM, and examples on their implementation:

Simple, intuitive names for moves and techniques
Few things necessary to memorize
Learn tools to recognize and fix your own mistakes quickly & accurately
Conceptualization and teaching from the perspective of the individual rider, not the whole line or end result

Focus on curl divisions, spacing, alignment, timing, and techniques for precision & fixing mistakes for the most simple, efficient, and precise riding, and for the depth of knowledge that allows easy exploration of complex dressage sequences and scenarios

Crisp, efficient, well-placed cuts
Great angle calculation & alignment skills
Well-developed skills for perfect circles
Gait changes for spacing rather than wiggles/scoops to keep shapes accurate

Clear understanding of correctness
Learning the interconnectedness of dressage scenarios and understanding how dressage works
Specific language ("on" vs "parallel to"; "slant alignment" vs "comb alignment parallel to slanted lines" ... )
Practicing commanding to better understand how to learn

Clear expectations for rider etiquette
Look to the Leader theory concept
Gait changes for spacing rather than wiggles/scoops to be more visible to other riders
Techniques for Precision and Predictive Riding theory concepts
Transparency from Instructor (lesson plans; purpose of teaching [concept] ... )
Riders discussing together and helping each other

Ease for the rider

Strong Fundamentals

Precision

Depth of knowledge

Communication and teamwork

Experimentation, creativity, and commander freedom

Look to the Leader theory concept
Curl divisions, label patterns, and affixes & distributions used to be creative and explore the possibilities of dressage in-the-moment by commanding Spontaneous Moves

Overview page: a general explanation of the SDM.
Theory page: our dictionary of Dressage Theory concepts (Core Theory and Extended Theory); the ideas and techniques that help us understand dressage and be creative. Organized by related concepts (not necessarily in learning order or order of complexity).
Moves page: our dictionary of dressage moves, including Core Moves, Spontaneous Moves and Distinct Moves; explanations of move types and how doing SDM dressage feels. Organized by related concepts (not necessarily in learning order or order of complexity).
Commanding page: a guide to commanding and teaching the SDM, including techniques for commanding from inside the line.
Curriculum page: an overview of the most important moves and theory concepts that we teach, listed in learning order. Also contains information on BB's self-paced rank system and our definition of "elite."

While exploring the SDM, you'll find diagrams, demonstrations, and throughlinks to aid your learning. All diagrams and videos can be expanded for a closer look, and you can find the information on concepts relating to what you're currently reading by clicking the underlined link of the name of any move or theory concept.

If you wish to teach yourself using the dictionary as a guide, we recommend beginning on the curriculum page to know where to start and learn most efficiently.

Navigating the SDM

Learning the SDM

The SDM is a unique method, and so too should be the learning experience. Of course, reading through the dictionary or watching the SDM Tutorial Series is a great start, but in order to become fluent, it's best to practice in the right environment and in the right ways.

Environment:
- We have a self-paced system for ranks and learning. For example, the Beginner curriculum has no set timeline, and there is no set time period or requirement for ranking up; riders request a rank-up conference when they feel ready.
- We give individual riders more responsibility for their learning. Riders are expected to be able to evaluate their own knowledge and skills, ask questions, and practice alone or request private lessons to become more confident with things they struggle with when needed.
- We give lots of detailed, individualized feedback during lessons in order to help riders polish their skills.

Types of practice:
- Dictionary work: learning moves and theory concepts from the dictionary for basic understanding.
- Improv (improvisation): performing dressage commanded without a plan or list in order to deepen knowledge of moves, practice applying theory concepts, and practice recognizing and fixing mistakes.
- Games: dressage-based games such as Scatter, The Pivot Game, Portal, Prediction, Dressage Olympics, and Dressage Salad. These games focus on certain aspects of dressage to improve specific skills in a fun way! Also, active recall games like Jeopardy or Kahoot (to quiz) and Scribbl.io or Gartic phone (for "dressage pictionary") to help memory & understanding of vocabulary.
- Experimentation: working together in a group to experiment with creating, commanding, and riding new dressage sequences.
- Sequences and routines: learning choreographed dressage sequences, showcase routines, or competition routines and attempting the choreo many times in order to increase accuracy and precision.
- Private Lessons: one-on-one lessons where the rider requests topics to work on and is taught by an Instructor at the pace and level that will be most effective.
- Commanding: with the guidance of a more experienced commander (or alone!), commanding a group of riders and/or teaching them new concepts. Teaching requires a great depth of understanding and helps you think about dressage from a new perspective.
- Solo Practice: heading to the arena or using online resources to practice dressage alone. This presentation, which was created by Light for a TDA clinic on practicing alone, may give you some ideas!

The best way to learn the SDM is by joining BB, but we do offer semi-regular public lessons and clinic exchanges!

Once-monthly public lessons through The Jorvik Dressage Center where we teach something from the SDM and community members are welcomed to join the monarchs in line!
1-3 lessons and/or clinics hosted by Light each month through The Dressage Academy, usually on SDM concepts.
Clinic exchanges: 2-day collaboration events between BB and another club/team. One day, BB's leaders teach something of the SDM to your club/team, and on the other, your club/team's leaders come teach us in your own style! Contact Light if you want to set up a clinic exchange.