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Western Dressage Level 5

Western Dressage Level 5 is the seventh 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 5 horse should demonstrate the suppleness, throughness, uphill balance impulsion required in Level 4. Additionally, the horse should show a consistent contact. Harmony, ride-ability, balance and suppleness should be emphasized as the horse continues collected work.

Western Dressage Level 5 Requirements

Western Dressage Level 5 is comprised of 4 tests. All tests exhibit the collected walk, collected jog, and collected lope. The horse and rider should also demonstrate flying changes of lead in these tests. These tests contain mainly straight lines, 20-meter half circles and include collected jog, collected lope, collected walk, and extended 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 5 New Movement Requirements

Full pivot right to full pivot left

3 flying changes of lead on the diagonal

Full lope pirouette

Double pivot

Zig zag half pass in jog

Changes in a series, every fourth stride

Changes in a series, every third series

Western Dressage Level 5 Tests

2022 WDAA Western Dressage Level 5 Test 1

1.A
X
Enter collected lope
Halt, salute
Proceed collected lope, left lead
2.C
H-X-F
F
Track left
Lengthen the stride in lope
Collected lope
3.AFlying change of lead
4.K-X-M
X
Collected lope
Full pirouette right
5.Before MFlying change of lead
6.H-X-F
X
Collected lope
Full pirouette left
7.Before FFlying change of lead
8.A
K
Collected walk (x2 Coefficient)
Turn right
9.D
D
Halt
Full pivot right
10.D
D
Halt
Full pivot left
11.F
P-V
V
Turn left
Half circle left 20m extended walk
Collected walk (x2 Coefficient)
12.K
F-B
Collected jog
Shoulder-in left
13.B-H
H
Lengthen the stride in jog
Collected jog
14.M-BShoulder-in right
15.B-K
K
Lengthen stride in jog
Collected jog
16.A
D-E
E-G
C
Down centerline
Half pass left
Half pass right
Turn right (x2 Coefficient)
17.Between C & MCollected lope right lead
18.R-K3 flying changes of lead
19.A
X
Down centerline
Halt, salute

Leave arena at A in a walk with looped or long reins

2022 WDAA Western Dressage Level 5 Test 2

1.A
X
Enter collected lope
Halt, salute
Proceed collected jog
2.C
M-E
Before E
Track right
Lengthen stride in jog
Collected jog
3.E-KHaunches in (x2 Coefficient)
4.F-ELengthen stride in jog
5.Before E
E-H
Collected jog

Haunches in
6.M
R
Collected walk
Turn right (x2 Coefficient)
7.I
I
Halt
Full pivot right
8.I
I
Halt
Full pivot left
9.S
E
B
Turn left
Half circle left 20m extended walk
Collected walk
10.RCollected lope left
11.C
I
Turn down centerline
Full pirouette left
12.XFlying change of lead
13.LFull pirouette right
14.K-X-MLengthen stride in lope (x2 Coefficient)
15.Before M
M
Collected lope
Flying change of lead
16.H-X-F3 flyng changes of lead, 1 near each quarter line and 1 over X (x2 Coefficient)
17.A
L
Down centerline
Halt, back 10 steps
Proceed collected lope
18.XHalt, salute

Leave arena at A in a walk with looped or long reins

2022 WDAA Western Dressage Level 5 Test 3

1.A
X
Enter collected lope
Halt, salute
Proceed collected lope left lead
2.C
H-X
X
Track left
Half pass left
Flying change of lead
3.X-K
K
Half pass right
Flying change of lead
4.A
L
Down centerline
Full pirouette left
5.XFlying change of lead
6.I
C
Full pirouette right
Track right
7.M-X-KThree changes in a series, every fourth stride
8.ACollected walk
9-10.F-ECollected walk
Double pivot left at 1st quarter line
Double pivot right at 2nd quarter line
(9)(Score for first double pivot)
(10.)(Score for second double pivot)
11.E-M
M
Extended walk (x2 Coefficient)
Collected walk
12.CHalt
Back series of 4 steps back, 4 steps forward, 6 steps back
Collected jog (x2 Coefficient)
13.H-X-F

F
Lengthen stride in jog showing 4-5 strides of collected jog over X
Collected jog (X2 Coefficient)
14.A
D
Between P & L
Between S & I
C
Down centerline
Half pass right
Half pass left
Half pass right to centerline
Turn left
15.H
S-F
Before F
F
Collected lope
Lengthen stride in lope
Collected lope
Flying change of lead (x2 Coefficient)
16.A
X
Down centerline
Halt, salute

Leave arena at A in a walk with looped or long reins

2022 WDAA Western Dressage Level 5 Test 4

1.A
X
Enter collected lope
Halt, salute
Proceed collected jog
2.C
M-E
Before E
E-F
F
Track right, collected jog
Lengthen stride in jog
Collected jog
Lengthen stride in jog
Collected jog (x2 Coefficient)
3.AHalt
Back series of 4 steps back, 4 steps forward, 6 steps back
Proceed collected jog
4.K-XHalf pass right
5.X-HHalf pass left
6.C
M-X-K
K
Collected lope, right lead
Lengthen lope
Collected lope
7.AFlying change of lead
8.F-L
L
L-E
Collected lope
Full lope pirouette left
Collected lope
9.Before EFlying change of lead
10.E-I
I
I-M
Collected lope
Full lope pirouette right
Collected lope
11.Before MFlying change of lead
Proceed collected lope
12.CCollected walk (x2 Coefficient)
13.S-P
P
Extended walk
Collected walk (x2 Coefficient)
14.F
A
Collected lope, right lead
Turn down centerline
15.D-BHalf pass right
16.BFlying change of lead
17.B-GHalf pass left
18.C
H-X-F
Turn left
3 flying changes of lead, every third stride
19.A
L
Turn down centerline
Halt, double pivot right
Proceed collected jog
20.IHalt, double pivot left
Proceed collected jog
21.GHalt, 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