Western Dressage Level 2
Western Dressage Level 2 is the fourth 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 2 horse should demonstrate that it engages the hindquarter and achieves the impulsion required in Level 1. Additionally, the horse should shows a consistent contact. Straightness, bending & suppleness, balance and self-carriage should be emphasized as the horse continues collected work.
Western Dressage Level 2 Requirements
Western Dressage Level 2 is comprised of 4 tests. All tests exhibit the working walk, collected 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, 10-meter to 20-meter circles and 10-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 = X2
- 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 2 New Movement Requirements
Collected jog
Collected lope
10 meter circles at collected jog and collected lope
Shoulder-in
Half circle 10 meters, collected jog
Haunches-in
Lengthened lope on the rail
Simple changes of lead
Sidepass
Counter lope loops rail to centerline
Western Dressage Level 2 Tests
2022 WDAA Western Dressage Level 2 Test 1
| 1. | A X | Enter collected jog Halt, salute Proceed collected jog |
| 2. | C H | Track left Circle left 10m |
| 3. | H-E E-F | Shoulder-in left Change rein |
| 4. | F-A-K K | Collected jog Circle right 10m |
| 5. | K-E E-M | Shoulder-in right Change rein |
| 6. | Between M & C C | Collected lope, left lead Circle left 10m |
| 7. | C Between C & H | Circle left 20m lengthened lope Develop collected lope |
| 8. | S E | working walk(x2 Coefficient) Halt 2-3 seconds, half turn on the forehand right (haunches left), proceed working walk |
| 9. | H | Halt 2-3 seconds, half turn on the forehand left, proceed working walk (x2 Coefficient) |
| 10. | S-F F | Change rein, free walk (x2 Coefficient) Working walk |
| 11. | Between F & A A | Collected lope, right lead Circle right 10m |
| 12. | A Between K & A | Circle right 20m lengthened lope Develop collected lope |
| 13. | K-X-M X M-C-H | Change rein Collected jog Collected jog |
| 14. | H-P P | Lengthened jog Collected jog |
| 15. | A X | Down centerline Halt, salute |
Leave arena at A in a walk with looped or long reins
2022 WDAA Western Dressage Level 2 Test 2
| 1. | A X | Enter collected jog Halt, salute Proceed collected jog |
| 2. | I-R R-P | Half circle right 10m Haunches-in right |
| 3. | A L | Down centerline (x2 Coefficient) Halt, back 6 steps; Proceed collected jog |
| 4. | I S-V | Half circle left 10m Haunches-in left |
| 5. | A F | working walk Halt |
| 6. | F | Sidepass left to the first quarter line, proceed straight ahead, working walk |
| 7. | Across from P P | Halt Sidepass right to P Proceed working walk |
| 8. | B-H H-C | Free walk (x2 Coefficient) Working walk |
| 9. | C R-P P | Collected lope, right lead Lengthen stride in lope Collected lope |
| 10. | A | Circle right 10m, collected lope (x2 Coefficient) |
| 11. | K-R Near centerline | Chenage rein, collected lope Simple change of lead, continue collected lope left lead |
| 12. | S-V V | Lengthen stride in lope Collected lope |
| 13. | A | circle left 10m collected lope (x2 Coefficient) |
| 14. | F-S Near centerline | Change rein, collected lope Simple change of lead, continue collected lope right lead |
| 15. | C M-V V | Collected jog Lengthen stride in jog Collected jog |
| 16. | A I | Down centerline Halt, salute |
Leave arena at A in a walk with looped or long reins
2022 WDAA Western Dressage Level 2 Test 3
| 1. | A X C | Enter collected jog Halt, salute Track left |
| 2. | H-E E | Shoulder-in left Turn left |
| 3. | B B-F | Turn right Shoulder-in right |
| 4. | A | Halt, back 6 steps, proceed collected jog |
| 5. | V S | Collected lope, right lead Circle right 10m |
| 6. | M-X-F | One loop maintaining right lead (counter lope) |
| 7. | A K-R R | Working walk (x2 Coefficient) Free walk Working walk |
| 8. | Before M M | Shorten the stride in walk (x2 Coefficient) Half turn on the haunches or half pivot right, proceed working walk |
| 9. | Before R R | Shorten the stride in walk (x2 Coefficient) Half turn on the haunches or half pivot left, proceed collected jog |
| 10. | S V | Collected lope, left lead Circle left 10m |
| 11. | F-X-M C | One loop, maintaining left lead (counter lope) Collected jog |
| 12. | S-F F | Lengthen the stride in jog (x2 Coefficient) Collected jog |
| 13. | A X | Down centerline Halt, salute |
Leave arena at A in a walk with looped or long reins
2022 WDAA Western Dressage Level 2 Test 4
| 1. | A X | Enter collected jog Halt, salute Proceed collected jog | |
| 2. | C M-B | Track right Haunches-in right, straigthen before B | |
| 3. | B-X X-G | Half circle right 10m, collected jog (x2 Coefficient) Shoulder-in right | |
| 4. | C H-E | Track left Shoulder-in left | |
| 5. | E-X X-G | Half circle left 10m, collected jog (x2 Coefficent) Haunches-in left | |
| 6. | C R | Track right Working walk | |
| 7. | B-E E | Half circle 20m free walk (x2 Coefficient) Working walk | |
| 8. | S | Halt, sidepass right to the first quarterline (x2 Coefficient) Proceed straight ahead, working walk | |
| 9. | Across from H | Halt, Sidepass left to H, Proceed working walk (x2 Coefficient) | |
| 10. | Between H & C M-P P | Collected lope right lead Lengthened lope Collected lope | |
| 11. | F-D B | Half circle right 10m returning to the track at B Counter lope | |
| 12. | Between R and M | Simple change of lead | |
| 13. | H-V V | Lengthened lope Collected lope | |
| 14. | K-D E | Half circle left 10m returning to track at E Counter lope | |
| 15. | Between S and H | Simple change of lead | |
| 16. | B I | Half circle right 10m Collected jog | |
| 17. | G | Halt, salute |
Leave arena at A in a walk with looped or long reins
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