Imagine riding a beautiful dressage test… but with jumps in it! That’s Prix Caprilli – a unique discipline that combines the elegance of dressage with the excitement of jumping, all in one test!
What IS Prix Caprilli?
Prix Caprilli is a unique discipline combining dressage and jumping into one test performed in a standard dressage arena.
A Prix Caprilli test is essentially a dressage test that happens to have jumps in the way. You’ll perform dressage movements (like circles, transitions, and serpentines), and you’ll also trot or canter over low fences. The jumps don’t disrupt your dressage – they’re just part of the test!
The judges mark Prix Caprilli exactly like a normal dressage test, giving technical marks for movement, impulsion, submission, and riding. The emphasis is NOT on your jumping style – it’s on your horse’s relaxation, obedience, and evenness of pace. The jumps should flow smoothly into your test without disturbing the rhythm.
Did you know?
Prix Caprilli is named after Captain Federico Caprilli, an Italian cavalry instructor who is credited with inventing the forward seat – the modern jumping position we use today!
What makes Prix Caprilli special?
Prix Caprilli is unique because it draws from BOTH dressage and jumping disciplines:
- Best of both worlds: You get the precision and elegance of dressage combined with the excitement of jumping.
- Lower pressure: The jumps are low (maximum 80cm, even at the highest level), so the focus is on overall performance.
- Variety and fun: It offers horses some variety and keeps things interesting!
- Good test of submission: Your horse needs to be obedient and balanced through both flatwork and jumps
- Not graded: This is NOT a graded discipline, so it’s perfect for practice and fun!
- All ages together: Horses and ponies compete together in all classes.
SANESA Prix Caprilli levels
Prix Caprilli is offered at different levels based on your experience:
Primary Schools
- Level 0 – Rising Stars: Introduction to Prix Caprilli (special tests)
- Level 0 – SN (Special Needs): Adapted tests for riders with disabilities
- Level 1 – Beginner Test: Perfect for beginners! Similar to Dressage Level 1
- Level 3 – Novice Test: Moving up! Similar to Dressage Levels 2-3
- Level 5 – Intermediate Test: Getting serious! Similar to Dressage Level 5
- Level 7 – Advanced Test: Top level! Similar to higher Dressage levels
High Schools
- Level 0 – Rising Stars: Introduction (special tests)
- Level 0 – SN (Special Needs): Adapted tests
- Level 1 – Beginner Test: Similar to SAEF Preliminary Dressage
- Level 3 – Novice Test: Similar to SAEF Novice Dressage
- Level 5 – Intermediate Test: Similar to SAEF Elementary Dressage
- Level 7 – Advanced Test: Similar to SAEF Elementary-Medium Dressage
What to expect at each level
Level 1 – Beginner
Primary Schools: Ridden in 40m x 20m arena
- Movements similar to Dressage Level 1
- All trot work is rising (no sitting trot yet!)
- 20m and 15m circles
- Change of rein across the diagonal
- Transitions between gaits
- 3-loop serpentine
- Canter work
- Half circle 10m diameter at trot
- Trot over fences
Jumps: Minimum = poles on ground, Maximum = 30cm vertical
High Schools: Ridden in 60m x 20m arena
- Movements similar to SAEF Preliminary Dressage
- All trot work is rising
- Walk, trot, canter
- 15m and 20m circles
- Lengthening of rein at walk
- 3-loop serpentine
- Lengthening trot and canter a few strides
- Stretching forward and downwards
- Canter over jumps
Jumps: Trotting poles, Minimum = 20cm cross pole/30cm oxer/40cm vertical, Maximum = 35cm cross pole/40cm vertical/40cm oxer
Level 3 – Novice
Primary Schools: Ridden in 40m x 20m arena
- Movements similar to Dressage Levels 2-3 (SAEF Pony Rider Preliminary and Novice)
- All trot work is rising unless otherwise stated
- Walk, trot, canter
- 20m and 15m circles
- Serpentines
- Few strides of lengthening trot
- Sitting trot
- Stretching forward and downwards
- Lengthen canter a few strides
- Canter over fences
Jumps: Trotting poles, Minimum = 30cm vertical, Maximum = 40cm oxer/45cm vertical
High Schools: Ridden in 60m x 20m arena
- Movements similar to SAEF Novice Dressage
- All trot work is rising unless otherwise stated
- Sitting trot
- 10m circles at trot
- 12m circles at canter
- Change rein at canter, changing leg through trot
- Leg yield
- Lengthen trot full side of arena
- Counter canter
- Canter to walk
Jumps: Trotting poles, Minimum = 35cm cross pole/35cm oxer/45cm vertical, Maximum = 50cm cross pole/60cm vertical/60cm oxer
Level 5 – Intermediate
Primary Schools: Ridden in 60m x 20m arena
- Movements similar to Dressage Level 5 (SAEF Pony Rider Elementary)
- All trot work is rising unless otherwise stated
- 10m circles
- Immobility halt
- Rein back
- Walk to canter
- Lengthen canter full side of arena
- Canter to walk
- Counter canter
- Medium trot
- Leg yield
Jumps: Minimum = 35cm cross pole/40cm vertical/40cm oxer, Maximum = 45cm cross pole/50cm vertical/55cm oxer
High Schools: Ridden in 60m x 20m arena
- Movements similar to SAEF Elementary Dressage
- All trot work is sitting
- Shoulder in
- Lengthening trot and canter
- Rein back
- Counter canter
- Simple change of leg
- Medium trot and canter
- Extended walk
- Turn on the haunches
- Travers
Jumps: Trotting poles, Minimum = 50cm cross pole/60cm vertical/60cm oxer, Maximum = 60cm cross pole/70cm vertical/65cm oxer
Level 7 – Advanced
Primary Schools: Ridden in 60m x 20m arena
- Movements similar to higher Dressage levels (SAEF Elementary-Medium and Medium)
- All trot work is sitting
- Leg yield
- Medium trot
- 10m circles
- Counter canter
- Shoulder in
- Extended walk
- Medium canter
- Travers
- Turn on the haunches
- Half pass at trot
Jumps: Trotting poles, Minimum = 45cm cross pole/60cm vertical/50cm oxer, Maximum = 50cm cross pole/65cm vertical/60cm oxer
High Schools: Ridden in 60m x 20m arena
- Movements similar to SAEF Elementary-Medium Dressage
- All trot work is sitting
- Collected trot and canter
- Counter canter
- Half pass at trot
- Entering at collected canter
- Flying changes
Jumps: Trotting poles, Minimum = 60cm cross pole/70cm vertical/70cm oxer, Maximum = 70cm cross pole/80cm vertical/80cm oxer
Tack and equipment
Prix Caprilli has specific tack requirements to keep things fair and safe:
Bridles:
- ALL tests must be ridden in a snaffle OR Pelham with rein connectors and cavesson noseband.
- NO double reins permitted with Pelham.
- Permitted snaffles/pelhams can be seen in Dressage SA National rules.
Saddles:
- General-purpose saddle recommended (perfect for both dressage and jumping!).
- Numnahs or saddle cloths permitted (should be neat and not larger than necessary).
- Gel, air, foam, or sheepskin pad may be used under the saddle.
Allowed equipment:
- Breastplates allowed
- Neck straps allowed
- Crupper may be used for ponies
During warm-up:
- Boots, bandages, running martingales, and neck straps are permitted during warm-up.
- Side reins may ONLY be used when lungeing (unridden).
- NO bearing, running, or balancing reins or any other gadgets.
- The use of more than one whip is strictly prohibited.
CRITICAL: Before entering the arena to ride your test, ALL boots, bandages, running martingales, bit guards, earmuffs, blinkers, and saddle covers MUST be removed!
Rider dress code
Dressing properly is part of competing in Prix Caprilli. Here’s what to wear:
- Protective headgear: MUST be worn in all tests, secured by a 3-point harness.
- Jackets: Black, navy, tweed, or dark colour.
- Breeches/Jodhpurs: Beige, off-white, or white.
- Boots: Long black boots, leather gaiters, or jodhpur boots.
- Shirts: White or conservative colour/pattern.
- Ties or an American-style collar.
- Gloves: White or the same colour as the jacket.
- Spurs: Permitted, but NO ROWELS (NO spurs allowed for Level 0).
- Whips: Allowed – maximum length including tassel is 100cm.
Horse turnout requirements
All ponies/horses in Prix Caprilli must be:
- Clean and neatly turned out
- Mane plaited (recommended as a courtesy to the judge)
- In good condition
Important Prix Caprilli rules
- Maximum four classes per day: No horse or pony may do more than four classes per day (includes ALL disciplines), except ponies competing ONLY in Level 0 Lead Rein classes, who may do six classes per day.
- Test preparation: It’s the responsibility of the rider/parent/Chef d’Equipe to make sure the correct tests are prepared.
- Not graded: This is NOT a graded discipline, so it’s perfect for practice and enjoyment!
- Horses and ponies together: Horses and ponies may compete together in all classes.
- Two riders, one horse: A horse or pony may compete in the same class with two different riders.
- Judges: Learner judges, Qualified NIP instructors, and FEI 1 & 2 qualified coaches may judge all Level 1 classes.
- Tests may be called: All tests may be called, but competitors must provide their own caller.
How Prix Caprilli is judged
Judges mark Prix Caprilli the same as a normal dressage test. They give technical marks for:
- Movement: Accuracy and correctness of figures.
- Impulsion: Energy and forward movement.
- Submission: Obedience and willingness.
- Riding: Your position and effectiveness of aids.
Remember: The emphasis is NOT on the jumping style of the horse. It’s on the horse’s relaxation, obedience, and evenness of pace. The jumps should be smooth and flow naturally into the test without disrupting the rhythm.
To get good marks, your horse should listen to you and move in balance with a rhythmic tempo. Jumping the fences or trotting over the poles should be done smoothly with minimum disturbance to the rhythm.
Top tips for Prix Caprilli success
- Practice both disciplines: Work on your dressage AND your jumping separately, then practice combining them.
- Focus on rhythm: The most important thing is maintaining an even, consistent rhythm throughout.
- Approach jumps calmly: Don’t rush at the jumps – approach them at a steady, rhythmic pace.
- Stay balanced: Find a jumping position that helps your horse freely jump without resistance.
- Memorise the test: Know your test inside and out (or use a caller!)
- Accuracy matters: Just like in dressage, the accuracy of figures and movements is important.
- Smooth transitions: Work on smooth transitions between gaits and over jumps.
- Keep your horse relaxed: A tense horse won’t score well – focus on relaxation.
- Walk the course: Walk the arena and note where the jumps are in relation to your test movements.
- Start at the right level: Don’t rush! Build confidence with easier tests before moving up.
- Practice at home: Set up a few small jumps in your practice area and ride dressage movements around them.
- Forward seat over jumps: Remember to adopt Captain Caprilli’s forward seat over the jumps!
Why try Prix Caprilli?
Prix Caprilli is perfect for riders who:
- Love both dressage and jumping
- Want something different and fun
- Enjoy the variety of combining two disciplines
- Want a less pressured environment (not graded!)
- Have a horse that’s good at both flatwork and jumping
- Are looking for a fun challenge
- Want to improve their all-around riding skills
Prix Caprilli offers horses variety and keeps training interesting. It’s a fantastic test of you and your horse or pony. Plus, it’s just plain fun!
Ready to try Prix Caprilli?
If Prix Caprilli sounds exciting (and it should – it’s awesome!), here’s how to get started:
- Make sure you’re comfortable with basic dressage movements at your level
- Make sure you’re comfortable jumping small fences
- Start at Level 1 – Beginner to get a feel for combining jumping and dressage
- Get the appropriate test sheets and study them
- Practice at home with a few small jumps set up in your arena
- Find a caller if you’re worried about memorising the test
- Make sure your tack meets the requirements
- Enter a show and have fun!
Remember: Prix Caprilli is named after Captain Federica Caprilli, the father of the modern forward seat. You’re riding in the footsteps of a legend! It’s a dressage test that happens to have jumps in the way, and when you nail that perfect rhythm through both flatwork and fences, it feels amazing!
For more information about SANESA Prix Caprilli, visit www.sanesa.co.za.
