The art of dressage returns to Bermuda next month when the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) stages the 1995 annual International Dressage Competition at the National Equestrian Centre on Vesey Street.

Sponsored since 1990 by Samsung Electronics, the worldwide Dressage competition, now in its 13th year, has provided an opportunity for smaller, or developing countries, to participate on an international basis without having to leave home. Instead, internationally qualified judges visit the various countries and conduct the tests on each's home turf. Appointed by the FEI, this year's Bermuda judges will be Linda Zang of the US, and Angelika Fromming of Germany.

Bermuda is one of six nations in Group II, the others being Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Columbia and Peru.

Local riders will include Madelleine Exellson on Ocean View's stallion, Raminogrobis, Susan Leighton who will be riding the Swedish warmblood, L.A.

Unique Case, and this year's only male competitor, Chris Taylor, who has successfully brought his Hanoverian gelding Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (known as "Wam'') through the various levels to compete at the top-ranked Prix St.

Georges level.

Suzanne Ericsson of Ocean View Farm in Smith's Parish will be competing with two horses, Colonel and Kandu. One of Bermuda's best riders, she won the whole of Group VI in 1991, and after the FEI upgraded Bermuda the following year to compete in Group II, she was 9th overall on Amadeus.

Chairman of the 1995 Competition, Mrs. Judy Montgomery-Moore, says that the popularity of dressage in increasing dramatically, because it is beautiful to watch, as well as satisfying to perform.

"I would like to see more Bermudians involved, because it's a good sport for Bermuda. And you don't have to own your own horse, so it's not as expensive as some people may think,'' she says.

It may come as something of a surprise to learn that Mrs. Montgomery-Moore, who founded and, for many years, has run the popular children's Camp Juniper, is herself an international FEI judge.

"I was always interested in horses -- Bermuda was all bikes and ponies when I was a girl. I grew into my elder sister's pony at the Pony Club and my interest never lagged. I went to England in the early '70s when my son went to school and did a course at The Moat in Beneden which trains instructors. When I went back to the States, I was riding at a dressage stable in Maine and I then took a dressage judging course in 1976. I qualified in the US system.

When Bermuda became a member, I attended some international seminars for dressage judges, first of all as a candidate, before qualifying as an international judge.'' Now, she travels all over the world, having recently judged at the Canadian Nationals, North America Young Riders (an FEI competition) and the Australian Nationals.

The art of dressage -- and some people believe it is an art as much as a sport -- has often been described as an equestrian ballet. The object of this demanding and increasingly popular event is to improve both horse and rider: it centres around the harmonious development of the physique and ability of the horse which, through a system of specialised training, becomes calmer, keener, more flexible and supple.

Mrs. Montgomery-Moore says Bermuda is fortunate in having had some of the world's top dressage experts who have visited the Island as clinicians.

"Any Federation can apply for help without having to pay -- as long as we provide accommodation.'' International dressage show From Page 29 Past president and now secretary of the Bermuda Dressage group, Mrs. Yvonne Hubbard, says that while Bermuda's Dressage programme has involved a lot of horses, only a few have reached the top of the "training tree''.

"But it's the same in the US and most other countries. Some horses just don't make it all the way. It's worth persevering with Dressage because it does produce a better rider. It's a form of schooling and this competition is unique.'' She says that Mrs. Ann Dunstan's decision to apply for Bermuda's inclusion in the International Dressage Competition in 1987, has certainly raised the overall standard of riding in Bermuda.

"I would like to encourage people to bring their horses here so that we can compete on an international level. We are lucky to have Linda Zang as a judge.

She has been here twice before to give courses under the sponsorship of Trans World Oil. We are also very grateful to the Hamilton Princess Hotel who are providing accommodation for the judges.'' She explains that the classes within Dressage are graded according to the ability of the horse. Since Samsung took over the sponsorship, the FEI have written a special elementary test which is the equivalent to the 2nd and 3rd level of the American Horse Show Association. The next stage is the Prix St.

Georges, then the Intermediate and finally, the Grand Prix -- which is the test used in the Olympic Games.

The actual tests are made up of patterns and changes of pace which are performed at the various letters set out around the area, and are symmetrical.

Spectators (and due to television coverage in many countries, dressage has become a huge spectator sport) should watch several rides of the same test.

The horse should move rhythmically, with no impression of stiffness, discomfort or disobedience. As the levels progress, more and more accuracy is required of the performance. Above all, horse and rider must be in harmony and move with grace -- and just as in figure skating, gymnastics, or ballet, it is all supposed to look easy.

Says Mrs. Hubbard, "Dressage appeals to the finer feelings, because we are aiming for perfection. We never achieve it, but we visualise and strive for perfection! And there are those few wonderful seconds when you get this most amazing feeling that you are reading the horse's mind and the horse is reading your mind.'' The competition takes place Tuesday, October 3 at 10.30 a.m., and the National Competition for horses at the FEI Elementary Level will follow.

A warm-up competition will be held on September 16 at the Centre.

EQUESTRIAN PAS DE DEUX -- Mr. Chris Taylor, riding Ms Susan Leighton's L.A.

Unique Case and Ms Madelleine Exelsson on Raminogrobis are two of the entrants in this year's FEI/Samsung International Dressage Competition.