FEI to Add Trot Stretch Circle to Dressage Tests
The governing body is introducing new training exercises to grand prix dressage tests beginning in January.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Equestrian
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Starting 1 January, the FEI will implement updated dressage tests that include a 20m trot stretch circle in the grand prix level. These modifications aim to emphasize horse training basics and encourage greater relaxation during competition.
Why it matters
Incorporating stretching and give-and-retake exercises is intended to prioritize equine wellbeing throughout high-level performances. This movement tests fundamental training and serves as a check for the horse's comfort and willingness under saddle.
The new grand prix dressage test features a 20m diameter trot stretch circle weighted with a coefficient of two. These exercises are slated to begin after the canter pirouette and transition to collected trot, followed by an extended trot.
The players
FEI
The Federation Equestre Internationale serves as the international governing body for equestrian sports, including Olympic disciplines like dressage.
The details
The grand prix special test is also set to feature a new give-and-retake exercise during the canter phase. Similar requirements for stretching and contact variations are being rolled out across multiple competition levels below the grand prix tier.
Timeline
16 April: The FEI dressage committee discussed these rule changes at the Sports Forum.
1 January: The new FEI dressage tests officially come into effect.
1 January: The qualification window for LA28 Olympic eligibility requirements opens.
Season Trajectory
These revisions to the FEI dressage test standards shift the focus of the current discipline toward improved horse welfare and classical training principles. By introducing these specific movements, the federation changes the competitive landscape for riders aiming for the upcoming LA28 Olympic cycle.
Competitors will need to adjust their training routines to incorporate the 20m stretch circle and canter give-and-retake exercises to ensure success under the new scoring coefficients. Riders planning for the LA28 Olympic cycle should prepare for these technical changes as qualification requirements open in January.
The takeaway
The move suggests a concerted effort by international governing bodies to prioritize relaxation and fundamental training in high-stakes competition. Riders should focus on these stretch exercises to build deeper horse-and-rider rapport well before the first events of the new year.
What happens next
The new FEI test requirements will officially go into effect on 1 January, which also marks the opening of the eligibility window for riders hoping to qualify for the LA28 Olympic Games.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in international horse competition by visiting our Equestrian section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Horse & Hound.
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