Second Level Dressage. Second level dressage adds another element to the horse’s training by starting collected work. This shows that the horse is able to accept weight on the hind quarter, thus giving him the more “uphill” carriage required for pirouettes in his later training. The elements of previous levels are judged more critically now and transitions between medium and collected gaits are more important.
What are the levels of dressage in the US?
US Dressage Levels 1 Training Level (Introductory) 2 First Level (Novice) 3 Second Level (Elementary) 4 Third Level (Medium) 5 Fourth Level (Advanced)
What is an advanced level dressage horse?
At the Advanced Level, horses must display all of the dressage fundamentals as introduced in previous levels – but with great precision and obedience. Fourth level dressage horses must be light and elevated on the forehand, and often appear as though they are “floating” during certain exercises.
What is 3rd level dressage?
Third level introduces extended gaits, flying changes, half pass at trot, Renvers, and half pass at canter. At this point, if you receive qualifying scores at first, second, and third level then you can receive your United States Dressage Foundation Bronze Medal.
What is 2nd level in horse riding?
Per USDF, a horse and rider at Second Level should show “correct basics, and having achieved the thrust required in First Level, now accepts more weight on the hindquarters (collection); moves with an uphill tendency, especially in the medium gaits; and is reliably on the bit.
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What are second level dressage movements?
Second Level Judges look for crisp and smooth transitions between collected and lengthened strides at various gaits. New movements introduced at Second Level include the counter canter, shoulder in, travers, simple lead changes, the rein back, and collected canter and trot.
What are the levels of dressage?
In national dressage competitions in the US, there are five basic levels of dressage tests: Training, First, Second, Third, and Fourth. These are also referred to as Preliminary/Introductory, Novice, Elementary, Medium, and Advanced.
What is Level 3 dressage?
Third level dressage adds the half pass and flying lead change elements to its tests. This level is used to determine the horse's ability to perform the medium and extended paces required at second level. The transition to and from collected gaits is equally important at third level.
What is the highest level of dressage?
Grand Prix Level dressage is the highest level of dressage. This level is governed by the FEI and tests the horse and rider to the highest standards.
What is the lowest level of dressage?
Introductory classesIntroductory classes feature only walk and trot (no canter) and are the lowest level of competition. Grand Prix tests feature very advanced movements and are the levels of tests you see at big international competitions like the World Equestrian Games or World Championships.
What is 1st level dressage?
First Level: The three tests of First Level include walk, trot and canter on smaller circles, half-circles, and figure eights. They also contain leg yielding, lengthened strides in the trot and canter, and lead changes through trot to demonstrate the horse's balance and responsiveness in a more uphill frame.
What is the easiest dressage test?
Introductory is the easiest level where you perform your test in walk and trot. Canter comes in at Prelim and at Novice, lengthened strides come. Elementary starts lateral work and the difficulty steps up for Medium. Flying changes come in for Advanced Medium before you hit the 'advanced' levels.
How many types of dressage are there?
We all know that there are three recognized gaits in dressage: the four-beat walk, the two-beat trot and the three-beat canter. But dressage also recognizes “types” of gaits: medium, free, collected and extended walk; and working, medium, collected and extended trot and canter.
What comes after novice in dressage?
The levels include; Intro, Novice, Elementary, Medium, Advanced Medium, Advanced, Prix St George, Intermediate I, Intermediate II and Grand Prix.
What do you call someone who does dressage?
equestrian Add to list Share. An equestrian is an expert horseback rider.
What breed of horse is used in dressage?
Dutch Warmblood The Dutch Warmblood is considered the world's best dressage horse and the most common breed used for professional dressage. It's the newest European warmblood breed; less than 70 years old, according to the official studbook.
How many types of dressage are there?
We all know that there are three recognized gaits in dressage: the four-beat walk, the two-beat trot and the three-beat canter. But dressage also recognizes “types” of gaits: medium, free, collected and extended walk; and working, medium, collected and extended trot and canter.
What are the levels in British dressage?
The levels include; Intro, Novice, Elementary, Medium, Advanced Medium, Advanced, Prix St George, Intermediate I, Intermediate II and Grand Prix. Each level is made up of a number of tests that you can work through, each test is unique with tests within the same level sharing the same movements.
What does CDI stand for in dressage?
Concours de Dressage InternationalCDI stands for Concours de Dressage International (International Dressage Event) and recognized by the world governing body of equestrian sports, theFédération Equestre Internationale (F.E.I.).
What are the levels of dressage?
In national dressage competitions in the US, there are five basic levels of dressage tests: Training, First, Second, Third, and Fourth. These are also referred to as Preliminary/Introductory, Novice, Elementary, Medium, and Advanced.
What is the score of the dressage test?
The Dressage Test. During a test, horses are judged on each individual movement with a score from 1-10. The rider also receives a collective score at the end of the test for the following categories: freedom and regularity of the gaits, proper impulsion, the horse’s submission, and the rider’s position, seat, and aids.
Why do dressage horses have floating effects?
This floating effect is created by a great degree of strength and power from the horse’s hindquarters, and a deep intuitive connection between horse and rider. This is why top-level dressage horses often perform best with one rider, but are then unable to achieve the same levels of greatness with another.
Why is dressage considered an art?
It’s often called an art because it takes many years to learn, and many more to master. As horses move through their training in dressage, they perform tests in competition that measure their progress.
Why is dressage based on a pyramid?
The levels and tests are based on a pyramid of training principles that was originally developed by the German military as a way to maintain consistency in their riders. All of the basic fundamentals in the training pyramid work together to produce good-quality dressage, but the degree to which they are judged varies.
What is the purpose of the training level test?
The purpose of the Training Level test is to “confirm that the horse’s muscles are supple and loose and that he moves freely forward in a clear and steady rhythm accepting contact with the bit.” ( source)
What do you want your horse to do before moving up a level?
Generally speaking, you want your horse to be able to perform all the required movements with an appropriate degree of accuracy before moving up a level. ( source)
What is dressage level?
Dressage levels are a way to classify how advanced a horse and rider combination are, and provides an easy way to measure the expected level of schooling as well as the progression. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. An error occurred while retrieving sharing information. Please try again later.
What is the difference between a dressage test and a prelim 1?
You might find that one test has the lengthened trot on the right rein, whereas a different one has it on the left. Your Prelim 1 dressage test might have a transition at the judges’ box, where your horse always spooks, whereas the sequence of movements in the Prelim 2 dressage test could play more to your strengths.
What is the lowest level of competition?
Introductory classes feature only walk and trot ( no canter) and are the lowest level of competition. Grand Prix tests feature very advanced movements and are the levels of tests you see at big international competitions like the World Equestrian Games or World Championships. If you think of Valegro, you’re thinking of Grand Prix!
What are the movements in a horse's prelim?
Within each level, there will be certain movements that the horse is asked to perform (at prelim, for example, it would be basic walk/trot/canter on straight lines and 20m circles but at Grand Prix, you have to show piaffe, passage, canter pirouettes and so on). These are fairly standard and will feature in all tests within that level. The movements asked will get harder as you progress up the levels to reflect the higher schooling of the horse.
What are the two delineations in dressage?
There are 2 delineations in Dressage level competitions: FEI, or internationally recognized tests, and National, which is determined by each country’s equestrian organizations.
What is dressage in horse racing?
Dressage is a beautiful, timeless equestrian sport that was documented as far back as the Greek era. It began as a manner of teaching war horses to become more agile, able to charge a foe headlong, then stop, sidestep his sword, pirouette quickly to aim at another attacker, and then gallop off mightily again (hopefully still in one piece).
Why did dressage begin?
As horses became finer and more well-bred, and they weren’t needed for war, dressage began to emerge in the sporting pursuits of the aristocrats. The movements becoming more prescriptive, and various levels of proficiency were developed.
How many pages are there in horse dressage?
New to the sport? Check out our 27-Page Horse Rookie’s Guide to Dressage.
Is dressage an Olympic sport?
Today, dressage is an Olympic sport, seen not only in stand-alone dressage competitions, but also part of the three-phase sport of eventing.
What is the dressage pyramid?
The Dressage Pyramid Of Training or Scale Of Training is a term you will hear a lot within the world of dressage. It was developed from the German cavalry, “Heeresdienstvorschrift H.Dv. 1912,1937,” and the term “Skala der Ausbildung” (literally translated “Training Scale”) started being used in the 1950s.
What is the purpose of phase 3 in dressage?
Phase 3. Impulsion, straightness and collection aim to develop the carrying power of the hind legs. The horse is supposed to bear more weight over his hindquarters, which is mandatory for true collection and elevation. Of which are necessary to reach higher goals in dressage training.
What is the purpose of phase 2 in gymnastics?
Phase 2. Relaxation, contact, impulsion and straightness serve in the development of driving power (thrust) of the hind legs . In this phase, the horse is asked to work more from behind and step diligently forward to the bit. This phase focuses on versatile gymnastic work to build horses flexibility and strength.
What is the German training scale?
It provided a detailed training plan as guiding rules for the training of a military horse that is still used today around the world by riders, coaches and as part of the judging foundation of dressage competitions we know today and commonly referred to as the German Training Scale.
What should a horse be in steady light contact with?
The horse should be in steady light contact with the bit without tension or resistance.”. For competitive dressage the more you move up the levels the more the purpose of each dressage test builds on itself in accordance to the dressage training scale.
What is the rhythm of a horse?
“Rhythm is the term used for the characteristic sequence of footfalls and timing of a pure walk, pure trot and pure canter. The rhythm should be expressed with energy and in a suitable and consistent tempo, with the horse remaining in the balance and self-carriage appropriate to its level of training.”
What is the mental state of a horse?
Relaxation (with elasticity and suppleness) “Relaxation refers to the horse’s mental state (calmness without anxiety or nervousness), as well as his physical state (the absence of negative muscular tension). Usually, the mental and physical states go hand in hand.
What is the third level of dressage?
Third level introduces extended gaits, flying changes, half pass at trot, Renvers, and half pass at canter. At this point, if you receive qualifying scores at first, second, and third level then you can receive your United States Dressage Foundation Bronze Medal.
What is the introduction level for dressage?
Introductory Level: This level is made to provide an opportunity for horses and riders to learn about dressage. Riders at this level must be able to demonstrate elementary skills, correct geometry, and the effectiveness of the rider. Riders must be able to perform the basic walk, trot, and canter gaits and change rein.
What is the second level of Big Dogs?
Second Level: Welcome to playing with the big dogs. Well, at least the next level of big dogs. Second level is where things begin to pick up now that you’ve demonstrated understanding of the basics. There’s a lot more power in the hind quarters required at second level due to the need to perform collection, medium paces, Travers, simple changes, 10m canter circles, and half turn on haunches. Additionally, a greater degree of straightness, suppleness, and self-carriage is expected at this level.
How many dressage levels are there in the UK?
In the UK, there are 11 official levels of dressage competitions. Seven of these are by British Dressage and the four highest uses international FEI tests. In this article, we will have a look the levels and what movements you will find in them.
What is the first level of dressage?
Introductory level, or Intro, is the first test level and you ride it in walk and trot only. This is the level you might try for your first few outings, to test if dressage is for you. Or if you have a green horse that you want to take out for new experiences without adding the excitement of canter.
What happens as you progress through the levels?
As you progress through the levels, you will have to perform more advanced movements, manage quicker transitions between them and show a higher degree of collection and engagement.
What is transitions in trot?
Transitions within trot– This exercise is a start to work on more variations within your trot. Riding many short transitions within the trot will make your horse more attentive and more engaged, and by starting to ride them with a bigger difference between the stride lengths, you will prepare for your medium trot.
How many levels of dressage are there?
Currently, there are nine progressive levels of competition, open to any breed of horse and available for all levels of riders, in which the horse and rider perform compulsory exercises. Special classes such as musical freestyle offer creativity and individual expression for the exhibitors and have become spectator favorites.
What is the only national organization dedicated to dressage?
The United States Dressage Federation is the only national membership organization dedicated to dressage, a method of horse training in existence since ancient Greece and an Olympic sport since the inception of the modern Olympics in the late 1800’s.
Fei Tests
- There are further divisions within the FEI tests used for the upper-level international Dressage events. Please see below the order of these tests, in ascending order: 1. Prix St. Georges 1.1. Intermediate I 1.1. Intermediate A 1.1. Intermediate B 2. Intermediate II 3. Grand Prix 4. Grand Pri…
Movements Within The Various Dressage Levels
- Within each level, the horse and rider pair are expected to perform and correctly execute specific movements and exercises for the sake of mastery and to move on to the next level. As horses and riders master one level, only then can they progress on to the next. For example, in the Training (Preliminary) level, a horse would be asked only to perform a basic test made up of simple walk, …
Expectations Within Each Level
- Below is a basic rough structure of what you will find when looking at the different dressage levels starting at the most basic and working toward advanced, as well as a few directives guidelines from each level. You will notice that the directive criteria evolve through the levels. In preliminary, the trot needs only to be regular, whereas later on in Medium, the judge is looking for self-carriag…
Judging
- A single judge will sit at C at the lower levels, together with their scribe, and mark each rider in a class. In the higher levels, a panel of seven judges is placed in different positions around the arena, ensuring that each movement is judged precisely from every angle. The seating positions of the judges are as follows; C, E, B, K, F, M, and H. When judging a test, the judge will assess ea…
Conclusion
- Dressage levelsare used to universally classify at what level or how advanced a horse and rider are in their training. The term ‘Dressage’ is a French word that means “training,” which is an ongoing and evolving process. The purpose of dressage is, through proper training, to create a strong, well-balanced, well-trained, and obedient mount, able to perform with willingness and ap…
Fei Versus National Levels
- Introductory (or Intro)
- Preliminary (or Prelim, as it’s normally known)
- Novice
- Elementary
Breaking Down Each Level
Frequently Asked Questions
One Step at A Time