Move Terminology
Welcome to the Pink Queens Legacy Move Terminology dictionary
Within PQL, we don’t use a large dictionary of named dressage moves. Instead, we’ve designed a method called Move Terminology.
Dressage is complex, with many terms and concepts that riders need to memorize. We believe that expecting riders and commanders to memorize hundreds of named moves is too much. Move Terminology simplifies this by allowing quick and easy understanding of hundreds of different move combinations, making dressage more efficient and understandable for both riders and commanders!
1.
Terminology Information
How It Works
All dressage moves consist of common terms that describe how they are performed. Move Terminology is a list of these terms, such as fate and wave, which can be combined to create any move. Instead of calling a random move name, like "Sparkler," the move is called exactly for what it is: fate wave (odds fate left + evens fate right).
Why Terminology
Using Move Terminology instead of hundreds of different move names allows for faster, more efficient dressage for both riders and commanders. It eliminates the need to say a move name and then explain what it consists of, which is often required when calling traditional move names. It also removes the burden of memorizing hundreds of different move names and definitions. By calling the move exactly what it is, riders know immediately what the move entails just by hearing it.
How It Was Designed
Just like most of the PDM, Move Terminology was developed over time and eventually given a name. PQL has never been a move-focused club; instead, our dressage practices prioritize fundamentals and technique. Our focus has been on teaching the PDM, not on memorizing hundreds of move names. As a result, we initially had limited knowledge of named moves, so we began calling moves by exactly what they were rather than using specific names.
When a move involves many complex steps, we use sequences or, if it’s a move we perform often, we give it a name (like in our elite dictionary). However, the majority of PQL’s practices use Move Terminology rather than a traditional move dictionary.
TIP
When first using move terminology, spend time practicing the different terms individually, once ready, begin combining different terms to create moves!
2.
Move Terminology
Terms
Listed below are the move terms. Any of the terms can be combined to create a variety of different moves.
A KEY
Riders will use their A key.
When A key is called in a move, the riders will use their A key (left) during the move.
D KEY
Riders will use their D key.
When D key is called in a move, the riders will use their D key (right) during the move.
TAPPING
Riders will tap during the move.
When tapping is called in a move, the riders will tap their directional key instead of holding down.
PICK-UP
Riders will continue in the move gait.
When pick-up is called in a move, the riders will exit the move continuing in the same gait the move was in.
ADJUSTING
Riders will adjust during the move.
When adjusting is called during a move, the riders will use anticipation to adjust accordingly.
CURL-OVER
Riders will curl-over in the move.
When curl-over is called in a move, the riders will complete a half curl.
CURL
Riders will curl in the move.
When curl is called in a move, the riders will complete a full curl.
DOUBLE
Riders will complete two of the move.
When double is called, the riders will complete two of the move.
WAVE
Odds left & evens right.
When wave is called, the odds will perform the move left and evens right.
FATE
Half of the move to the left, half to the right.
When fate is called, the riders will do half of the move in one direction and the other half in the opposite direction.
THREAD
Odds on 1st go & evens on 2nd go.
When thread is called, the odd riders will do the move on 1st go and even riders will do the move on 2nd go.
BLOOM
Circle moves away from the center of the circle.
When bloom is called, the riders will do the move away from the center of the circle.
CAVE
Circle moves towards the center of the circle.
When cave is called, the riders will perform the move towards the center of the circle.
PARTNER
Move is done with a partner.
When partner is called, the riders will perform the move with a specified partner.
FOLLOW
Riders will follow the leader.
When follow is called, the rider line will follow their leader through the move.
COMB
Riders will be in comb alignment.
When comb is called, the riders will comb.
SPLIT
Riders will split into different rider lines.
When split is called, the riders will split into two or more rider lines.
MERGE
Riders will merge.
When merge is called, the riders will merge into a specified rider line during the move.
SLANT
Riders slant during the move.
When slant is called, the riders will slant during the move.
COUPLE
Evens follow odds into the move.
When couple is called, evens will follow the odd rider in front of them into the move.
IMMEDIATE
Riders will immediately do the move or gait.
When immediate is called, the riders will do the move or gait right away.
SHRINK
Riders cut towards the center of a circle.
When shrink is called, the riders will cut towards the center of the circle during the move.
EXPAND
Riders will cut away from the circle.
When expand is called, the riders will cut away from the center of the circle during the move.
and more!
Any commonly used term in dressage moves can be added to the list and used as terminology!
3.
Terminology Examples
Combining Terms
To use move terminology, combine any of the move terms to create any dressage move.
example
Fate + Thread + Wave
FATE
curl one direction, then curl the opposite direction.
THREAD
odds go on 1st go, evens go on 2nd go.
WAVE
odds left and evens right.
On 1st Go: odds fate left.
On 2nd Go: evens fate right.
example
Couple + Curl + Comb
COUPLE
evens follow odds into the move.
CURL
riders perform a curl.
COMB
riders enter a comb.
On Go: odds curl then comb, evens follow odds into the curl then comb.
example
Double + Reverse + Curl + A Key
DOUBLE
riders will do two of the move.
REVERSE
riders will do the move in backup.
CURL
riders will curl during the move.
A KEY
riders will use A key to perform the move.
On Go: riders will reverse curl twice using A key (left).
example
Pick-Up Canter + Follow + Tapping + Curl-Over
PICK-UP C.
riders will do the move in canter and stay in canter after.
FOLLOW
rider line will follow the line leader during the move.
TAPPING
riders will tap through the move instead of holding down.
CURL-OVER
riders will curl-over during the move.
On Go: riders will pick-up canter set and follow the line leader through a tapping curl-over.
example
Thread + Reverse + Slant + Expand
THREAD
odds go on 1st go, evens go on 2nd go.
REVERSE
riders will perform the move in backup.
SLANT
riders will enter a slant.
EXPAND
riders will cut away from the center of a circle.
On 1st Go: (while riding a circle) odds will reverse into a slant, moving away from the center of the circle.
On 2nd Go: (while riding a circle) evens will reverse into a slant, moving away from the center of the circle.
example
Pick-Up Walk + Couple + Curl-Over + Wave
PICK-UP W.
riders will do the move in walk and stay in walk after.
COUPLE
riders will follow their partner into the move.
CURL-OVER
riders will curl-over.
WAVE
odds left, evens right.
On Go: riders will pick-up walk and odds will curl-over while evens follow their odd partner into the move. Odd pairs walk curl-over left and even pairs walk curl-over right.
Be Creative
With your club, have the riders suggest different moves using move terminology then take turns performing the different suggestions!
Test Your Club
Have the staff/instructors of your club perform a move using different terms and see if the club members can guess the correct terms being used!
Play Games
Place the riders into separate teams and ask the teams to come up with a complex move using move terms. The team with the most complex move wins!
Speed Dressage
Use move terminology to enhance speed dressage (a common exercise in PQL practices). Call out many different moves using move terms as quickly as you can.
