Levels & Requirements
Introductory Level
- The purpose of the Introductory level is to demonstrate the horse's understanding of basic dressage aids and a beginning development of bend, relaxation, and submission. The horse is marked on his willingness to accept the bit and aids, and his willingness to carry himself forward. Movements required are medium walk, free walk, and rising trot on straight lines and 20m circles.
Training Level
- Training Level test build on the foundation of the Introductory Level. In addition to acceptance of contact and forward carriage, the horse is expected to demonstrate steady rhythm of the gaits, suppleness, and loose, free movement. Canter work on straight lines and 20m circles is introduced. Changes of bend and stretching at the trot are required. Trot work may be done rising or sitting.
First Level
- The First Level horse is expected to demonstrate the requirements of Training Level in addition to thrust, throughness in all gaits, and good balance. 10m trot circles, 20m serpentines, and lengthenings of the trot are introduced. Trot work must be done sitting (with the exception of lengthened trot which should be performed rising). 15m canter circles, lengthenings at the canter, leg yield, and change of lead through the trot are also introduced at this level.
Second Level
- Second Level continues the development of the qualities achieved in First Level. The horse is expected to demonstrate improved thrust (pushing power from behind) and an ability to carry more weight on the hind end while remaining reliable in contact with the rider's hands. Improved straightness, impulsion, and suppleness are required. The horse is expected by this level to display a fair degree of self-carriage. Collection, "medium" paces, and more advanced lateral work are introduced. Circles are reduced to 10m and quality of transitions is emphasized. Required movements include shoulder-in, travers, renvers, and turn on the haunches.
Third Level
- Third Level tests require evident suppleness, straightness, forward impulsion, self-carriage, throughness, and lightness from the horse. He is required to stay on the bit throughout. Fluid and effortless transitions are expected, as well as a clear distinction between collected, medium, and extended gaits. Extensions at both trot and canter are required, and flying changes of lead are introduced. 8m circles, half-pass at the trot and canter, and "free" canter circle are included in the tests.
Fourth Level
- In addition to improvement of the Third Level requirements, the Fourth Level horse is expected to demonstrate excellent collection, self-carriage, and balance on the hind quarters. He must be immediately responsive to his rider's every aid. Tests require collection at the walk, quarter- and half-pirouettes at the canter, counter change of rein in the trot and canter, and beginning tempi-changes.
FEI Prix St. Georges
- As the first "professional" level, Prix St. George requires an excellent display of mastery of Fourth Level movements, as well as half-pirouettes and three-stride tempi-changes.
FEI Intermediare I
- Intermediare I requires full pirouettes at the canter, two-tempi changes, and the canter zig-zag with changes.
FEI Intermediare II
- FEI Intermediare II is the penultimate test, requiring near-perfect mastery of the discipline and the highest degree of collection. Passage and piaffe are required.
FEI Grand Prix
- The pinnacle of dressage, Grand Prix tests require the horse to perform the most difficult of movements with a demonstration of full ease and relaxation. In addition to all of the movements of the lower FEI tests, single-tempi changes are required, along with complex transitions.
FEI Pony Test
- The Pony Test is for junior riders between the ages of 12 and 16 riding ponies. The test is roughly equivalent to a Second Level dressage test.
FEI Junior Rider Test
- Junior Riders are riders between the ages of 14 and 18. The Junior Rider test is roughly equivalent to a Third Level dressage test.
FEI Young Rider Test
- The Young Rider test is for riders between the ages of 16 and 21. The Young Rider Test contains movements from both the FEI Prix St. Georges and FEI Intermediare I levels.
FEI Four-Year-Old Test
- The Four-Year-Old Test is for four-year-old horses only. The test is equivalent to a First Level test in difficulty.
FEI Five-Year-Old Test
- The Five-Year-Old Test is for five-year-old horses only. The test is equivalent to a First Level test in difficulty.
FEI Six-Year-Old Test
- The Six-Year-Old Test is for six-year-old horses only. The test is equivalent to a Third Level test in difficulty.
References: http://www.kcdressage.com/aboutkcds/levelsofdressage.html, http://www.camelotequestrian.com/dressage.htm