Dressage (Competition A1 incorporating the Presentation A2) is the first phase of a Combined Driving Event and can often determine the final standings across the whole competition. A well performed dressage test can put the competitor into a most beneficial position.

Presentation is the overall judging of the turnout (either at the halt or during the dressage test. The horse/s are judged on condition, appearance, shoeing etc. Vehicles and harness are judged on cleanliness, suitability, fit and safety. The driver and groom are judged on their outfits - neat street attire including gloves, driving aprons or knee rugs or riding gear for the grooms.

Next, competitors and their turnouts must complete a Dressage Test within a marked dressage arena not dissimilar to a riding arena (a driven dressage arena is larger than a riding arena being 80 m X 40 m or 100 m X 40 m). There can be as few as one judge (lower level competitions) or up to five judges (international events) awarding points to each competitor based on their performance of each movement within the Test. The aim of a Dressage Test is to display the horse/s' paces and level of education through a series of movements such as circles, straight lines, serpentines, transitions and so on.

Accuracy of figures, obedience and suppleness of the horse/s is observed and awarded together with the animal's maintenance of rhythm, balance and cadence within each gait. The gaits in driven dressage (depending upon the level) are: halt, walk, working trot, collected trot, lengthened trot, extended trot and reinback. Tests require the driver to display control through voice, whip and reins and the horse/s must display obedience, impulsion and correct paces. The more difficult tests involve the driver executing one handed movements (reins in one hand); this is to demonstrate the driver has control should the whip need to be used.

Diagram of a dressage arena: