Western Dressage Level 1
Western Dressage Level 1 is the third level of the horse and rider’s development and serves stepping stone in the progressive training required in the sport of Western Dressage. The Level 1 horse should demonstrate that it is developing more engagement of the hindquarter and the impulsion required to properly perform lengthenings. Additionally, the horse should show a more consistent contact. Harmony, ride-ability, balance and suppleness should be emphasized as the horse is being introduces to collected work.
Western Dressage Level 1 Requirements
Western Dressage Level 1 is comprised of 4 tests. All tests exhibit the working walk, working jog, working lope and free walk. The horse and rider should also demonstrate a halt ranging from 2 to 4 seconds in the tests. These tests contain mainly straight lines, 15-meter to 20-meter circles and 15-meter half circles and include working jog, free jog, free walk,working walk. These movements are designed to show the horses ability to perform the required movements in a willing, relaxed way. The horse and rider are judged on the following:
- Gaits (freedom and regularity, elasticity of the steps) – Coefficient = X1
- Impulsion (engagement – transmission of an eager and energetic, yet controlled positive forward energy generated from the hindquarters into the athletic movement of the horse; suppleness of the back) Coefficient = X1
- Rider’s position, seat & hands (well-balanced elastic seat demonstrating vertical, centered alignment, with light independent contact from hand(s)) – Coefficient = X1
- Rider’s correct and effective use of the aids (evidenced by the horse’s responsiveness; steady elastic connection cultivating athletic expression. Accuracy – precise placement of the figures and transitions, the effectiveness of the rider’s aids determines the accurate fulfillment of the required movements of the tests) – Coefficient = X1
- Harmony (The horse accepts the aids and influence of the rider with attention, relaxation and confidence; and demonstrates a willing partnership between horse and rider resulting in a free flowing performance.) – Coefficient = X2
Western Dressage Level 1 New Movement Requirements
Back 4-6 steps
15 meter half circle at working jog
3 loop serpentine quarter line to quarter line at working jog
Leg yield from quarter line’
15 meter circle at working jog
Lengthening of lope
Half turn on the forehand
Leg yield from centerline
10 meter circle working jog
Lengthened lope on 20 meter circle
Change of lead through working jog
half turn on the haunches or pivot
Counter lope loop 5 meter off the track
Western Dressage Level 1 Tests
2022 WDAA Western Dressage Level 1 Test 1
| 1. | A X | Enter working jog Halt, salute Proceed working jog |
| 2. | C | Track left, working jog |
| 3. | E M-C-H | Half circle left 15m left yield right, quarter line to between R & M Continue on the track, working jog |
| 4. | H-R | Change rein, working jog |
| 5. | B | Half circle right 15m, working jog Leg yield left, quarter line to between S & H |
| 6. | C Before C | Circle right 20m, free jog (x2 Coefficient) Gather the reins, working jog |
| 7. | M | Working walk |
| 8. | R-V V | Free walk(x2 Coefficient) Working walk |
| 9. | K A-C | Working jog Seprentine quarter line to quarter line, 3 loops |
| 10. | C | Working lope left lead; immediately circle left 15m (x2 Coefficient) |
| 11. | H S-F F | Working jog Lengthen the stride in jog Working jog |
| 12. | A-C | Serpentine quarter line to quarter line, 3 loops |
| 13. | C | Working lope right lead; immediately circle right 15m (x2 Coefficient) |
| 14. | M B | Working jog Halt, back 4-6 steps Proceed working jog |
| 15. | A X | Down centerline Halt, salute |
2022 WDAA Western Dressage Level 1 Test 2
| 1. | A X | Enter working jog Halt, salute Proceed working jog |
| 2. | C P-L | Track right Half circle right 10m, working jog |
| 3. | L-S | Leg yield left (x2 Coefficient) |
| 4. | H | Working lope, right lead |
| 5. | C | Circle right 15m, working lope (x2 Coefficient) |
| 6. | P A | Working jog Working walk |
| 7. | K | Halt 2-3 seconds, half turn on the forehand right (haunches left); Proceed working walk |
| 8. | A | Halt 2-3 seconds, half turn on the forehand left (haunches right); Proceed working walk |
| 9. | K-X-M M | Free walk (x2 Coefficient) Working walk |
| 10. | C V-L | Working jog Half circle right 10m, working jog |
| 11. | L-R | Leg yield right (x2 Coefficient) |
| 12. | M | working lope, left lead |
| 13. | C | circle left 15m working lope (x2 Coefficient) |
| 14. | V A | Working jog Down centerline |
| 15. | X | Halt, rein back 4-6 steps Proceed working jog |
| 16. | G | Halt, salute |
2022 WDAA Western Dressage Level 1 Test 3
| 1. | A X | Enter working jog Halt, salute |
| 2. | C | Track left, working jog |
| 3-4. | H-X-K | One loop, working jog with 10m right circle at X |
| (3) | (Score for circle) (x2 Coefficient) | |
| (4) | (Score for the loop) | |
| 5. | F-S S | Lengthen the stride in jog Working jog |
| 6-7. | M-X-F | One loop, working jog with 10m left circle at X |
| (6) | (Score for circle) (x2 Coefficient) | |
| (7) | (Score for the loop) | |
| 8. | A | Working walk |
| 9. | K-R R | Free walk (x2 Coefficient) Working walk |
| 10. | Before M M | Shorten the stride in walk (x2 Coefficient) Half pivot or turn on the haunches left, proceed working walk |
| 11. | Before R R | Shorten the stride in walk (x2 Coefficient) Half pivot or turn on the haunches right, proceed working jog |
| 12. | M | working lope, left lead |
| 13. | C Between C & H | Circle left 20m, lengthened lope Develop working lope |
| 14. | H-X-F X | Change rein, working lope Change of lead thrpugh 2-3 strides of jog |
| 15. | A Between A & K | Circle right 20m lengthened lope Develop working lope |
| 16. | K-X-M X | Change rein, working lope Change of lead through 2-3 strides of jog |
| 17. | M-S S | Continue on the track, working lope working jog |
| 18. | E Before E | Circle left 20m free jog (x2 Coefficient) Gather the reins; working jog |
| 19. | A X | Down centerline Halt, salute |
2022 WDAA Western Dressage Level 1 Test 4
| 1. | A X | Enter working jog Halt, salute Proceed working jog |
| 2. | C M-X | Track right Leg yield right, continue on centerline |
| 3. | A F-X | Turn left Leg yield left, continue on centerline |
| 4. | C H | Turn left Develop working lope left lead |
| 5. | E | Turn left |
| 6. | X Between X & B | Circle leaft 20m lengthened lope Develop working lope |
| 7. | B B-H | Turn left Continue on the track working lope |
| 8. | H-K Before A | One loop 5m off the track maintaining the left lead (counter lope) Working jog |
| 9. | A Before A | Circle left 20m free jog (x2 Coefficient) Gather the reins, working jog |
| 10. | F Before P P | Working walk (x2 Coefficient) Shorten the stride in walk Half pivot or turn on haunches left, proceed working walk |
| 11. | Before F F | Shorten the stride in walk (x2 Coefficient) Half pivot or turn on the haunches right, proceed workingwalk |
| 12. | P-H H | Free walk (x2 Coefficient) Working walk |
| 13. | C M | Working jog working lope, right lead |
| 14. | B | Turn right |
| 15. | X Between X & E | Circle right 20m lengthened lope Develop working lope |
| 16. | E E-M | Turn right Continue on the track working lope |
| 17. | M-F Before A | One loop 5m off the track maintaining the right lead (counter lope) Working jog |
| 18. | A X | Down centerline Halt 3 seconds, back 6 steps Proceed working walk |
| 19. | X | Halt, salute |
Dressage Academy does not endorse any rider, horse, farm or breed. These tests are used to provide a visual aid in understanding the movements of the test only. All tests are provided by YouTube