A Complete 11-Level Riding Program

L0 Level 0 — Foundation Rider No reins. No steering. Balance problems are never solved by grabbing. All mounted work on lead line. 22 skills total • 4 USAWE/WE skills • 4 test requirements ▾

⭐ Test Requirements — required to pass Level 0

• Groom and tack own horse (no help)
• Lead horse to arena safely
• Lunge horse together with instructor inside the circle
• Trot two full circles in 2-point on the lunge line — rider remains balanced, no bouncing, no grabbing

Ground Skills

• Grooming the horse with instructor assistance
• Identifying basic grooming tools and their purpose
• Tacking the horse with instructor assistance
• Leading the horse correctly (space awareness, stopping, turning)
• Learning to observe and describe horse behavior (relaxation vs tension; ears, neck, breathing, tail)

Mounted Balance Work (Lead Line)

• Sitting quietly at halt without holding the saddle
• Shoulder rotations at halt and walk
• Standing in 2-point while stopped
• 2-point at walk on a straight line
• 2-point at walk over ground poles
• 2-point at walk on a circle (instructor in the center)
• A few strides of trot in 2-point on a straight line
• A few strides of trot in 2-point on a circle (instructor lunging)
• Several full laps of trot in 2-point on a circle without bouncing on the horse's back

Working Equitation Introduction USAWE / WE

• Understanding what Working Equitation is (dressage, ease of handling, speed, cattle trials)
• Identifying WE obstacles by name (bridge, gate, slalom, bell corridor, pen, jug, sidepass rail)
• Walking through a bridge on foot to understand the obstacle
• Opening and closing a gate on foot (correct hand position, body mechanics)

L1 Level 1 — Independent Beginner Rider holds reins for the first time. Reins are not used for balance under any circumstances. 31 skills total • 16 USAWE/WE skills • 7 test requirements ▾

⭐ Test Requirements — required to pass Level 1

• Lunge horse independently at walk and trot
• Walk and trot in 2-point with reins without balance errors
• Perform calm walk–trot–walk transitions on the lunge
• Walk figure-8 independently with correct steering and softness

Ground Skills

• Independent grooming and tacking with correctness check
• Independent leading to and from arena
• Lunging with instructor still inside the circle but giving minimal input

Mounted Skills (Lunge Line)

• Rider holds reins for the first time
• Walk and trot in 2-point on a circle while holding reins (reins not used for balance)
• Walk and trot in 2-point over ground poles on the circle (soft hands even if balance is challenged)
• Separation of hands from upper body
• Basics of steering while horse remains on lead line (student guides direction and speed; instructor neutral in center)
• Walk → trot → walk transitions on the lunge line (seat is primary aid; rein only supports, never pulls; 2-point maintained during trot)

Off the Lunge

• Walking independently in figure-8 patterns around barrels
• Upper body rotation, leading the horse through the turn, not pulling

USAWE Dressage Movements — Level 1 USAWE / WE

• Turn at C, 20m circle at E or B at working trot (USAWE L1 Mv.2-3)
• Change rein across the diagonal at working trot (USAWE L1 Mv.4)
• Trot-to-walk transition; medium walk (USAWE L1 Mv.5)
• Half-circle 5m to quarter line and return to rail at medium walk (USAWE L1 Mv.6-7)
• Halt, rein back 3–5 steps, proceed medium walk (USAWE L1 Mv.8)
• Walk-to-trot transition; working trot (USAWE L1 Mv.9)
• Half-circle left 10m, down centerline, halt, salute (USAWE L1 Mv.15-16)

WE Obstacles — Walk Introduction USAWE / WE

• Gate — open, ride through, close gate with one hand (USAWE Obstacle 14)
• Pen — ride into pen, turn around, exit (USAWE Obstacle 3)
• Water — ride through water obstacle without jumping or avoiding (USAWE Obstacle 17)
• Rounding Posts — ride around posts in correct pattern at walk (USAWE Obstacle 11)
• Bell Corridor — ride through narrow corridor and ring bell at end (USAWE Obstacle 9)
• Remove Pole — pick up garrocha pole from drum at walk or trot (USAWE Obstacle 5)
• Replace Pole — replace garrocha pole into drum at walk or trot (USAWE Obstacle 7)

L2 Level 2 — Competent Horseperson Posting trot, correct diagonals, leg yield introduction. Canter, shoulder-in, and obstacles not yet taught. 29 skills total • 16 USAWE/WE skills • 4 test requirements ▾

⭐ Test Requirements — required to pass Level 2

• Ride correct posting trot with diagonals
• Demonstrate leg yield at walk with rhythm
• Lunge horse at walk and trot correctly
• Explain diagonals and posting to another rider

Mounted Flatwork

• Posting trot introduction (rising from leg, not reins)
• Understanding and riding correct diagonals
• Maintaining posting trot without upper-body tipping
• Shortening and lengthening walk and trot (without pulling or pushing)
• Introduction to leg yield at walk (off the rail only; straight body, sideways response to leg)

Lunging

• Lunging at walk and trot independently
• Correct circle size and positioning
• Clear voice commands

Teaching

• Teaching another rider how to groom and tack correctly

USAWE Dressage Movements — Level 2 USAWE / WE

• Serpentine 4 loops A to C at working trot (USAWE L2 Mv.3)
• Working canter depart on correct lead from trot (USAWE L2 Mv.4)
• 20m circle at working canter right and left (USAWE L2 Mv.5, 13)
• Canter-to-trot transition (USAWE L2 Mv.6)
• Turn on the forehand, haunches right and left at medium walk (USAWE L2 Mv.7-8)
• Free walk on a long rein (USAWE L2 Mv.11)
• Half-circle left 10m at working trot, down centerline, halt, salute (USAWE L2 Mv.16)

WE Obstacles — Trot Introduction USAWE / WE

• Figure 8 — ride figure-8 pattern around two markers at trot (USAWE Obstacle 2)
• Drums — ride figure-8 or prescribed pattern around drums at trot (USAWE Obstacle 19)
• Single Slalom — weave through single line of poles at trot (USAWE Obstacle 12)
• Double Slalom — weave through two parallel lines of poles at trot (USAWE Obstacle 13)
• Jump — jump a small fence at trot or canter (USAWE Obstacle 15)
• Bank — ride up and down a bank at trot or canter (USAWE Obstacle 18)
• Sidepass Rail — sidepass horse along a ground rail (USAWE Obstacle 16)
• Reinback 'L' — back horse through L-shaped corridor at walk or trot (USAWE Obstacle 10)
• Spear Ring — use garrocha pole to spear a ring at trot (USAWE Obstacle 6)

L3 Level 3 — Developing Rider Leg yield at trot, shoulder-fore, accurate patterns, obstacles, small cross rails, canter introduction on lunge. 29 skills total • 16 USAWE/WE skills • 4 test requirements ▾

⭐ Test Requirements — required to pass Level 3

• Walk and trot obstacle course calmly
• Jump small cross rails in balance
• Lunge horse at walk, trot, and canter
• Teach a safe lead-line beginner lesson

Flatwork

• Leg yield at walk and trot
• Shoulder-fore at walk
• Correct alignment of shoulders before adding difficulty
• Riding accurate patterns (circles, serpentines, figures)

Obstacles & Environment

• Walk obstacles with accuracy
• Trot obstacles while maintaining rhythm
• Introduction to small cross rails (focus on 2-point stability, not height)

Lunging

• First introduction to canter on the lunge (timing, safety, when NOT to ask)

Teaching

• Teaching a lead-line lesson to a complete beginner

USAWE Dressage Movements — Level 3 USAWE / WE

• Lengthen trot across diagonal (H-X-F) (USAWE L3 Mv.2)
• Leg yield left from centerline to rail at working trot (USAWE L3 Mv.3)
• Leg yield right from centerline to rail at working trot (USAWE L3 Mv.5)
• Half 10m circle right then half 10m circle left (figure-8 at trot) (USAWE L3 Mv.4)
• Turn on haunches right at medium walk (USAWE L3 Mv.8)
• Turn on haunches left at medium walk (USAWE L3 Mv.9)
• 15m circle at working canter right and left (USAWE L3 Mv.12-13)
• Simple change of lead through trot (USAWE L3 Mv.13-14)

WE Obstacles — Canter Introduction USAWE / WE

• Figure 8 at canter with change of lead through trot (USAWE Obstacle 2, L3)
• Drums at canter with change of lead through trot (USAWE Obstacle 19, L3)
• Remove Pole, Spear Ring, Replace Pole series at canter (USAWE Obstacles 5-7, L3)
• Jump at canter (USAWE Obstacle 15, L3)
• Bank at canter (USAWE Obstacle 18, L3)
• Bell Corridor at walk or trot (USAWE Obstacle 9, L3)
• Reinback 'L' at walk or trot (USAWE Obstacle 10, L3)
• Rounding Posts at walk or trot (USAWE Obstacle 11, L3)

L4 Level 4 — Balanced Canter Rider Canter departs, correct lead recognition, shoulder-in introduction, full WE course in trot, small vertical jumps. 31 skills total • 19 USAWE/WE skills • 5 test requirements ▾

⭐ Test Requirements — required to pass Level 4

• Correct canter departs on correct lead
• Shoulder-in at walk with softness
• Full WE course in trot
• Teach a lunge-line lesson independently

Flatwork

• Shoulder-fore at trot
• Introduction to shoulder-in at walk (few steps only)
• Canter departs from trot
• Canter on large circles only
• Correct lead recognition
• Full Working Equitation course ridden in trot
• Small vertical jumps

Teaching

• Teaching a lunge-line lesson where student works on trot balance

USAWE Dressage Movements — Level 4 USAWE / WE

• 10m circle at collected trot right and left (USAWE L4 Mv.2, 4)
• Leg yield right and left from centerline at collected trot (USAWE L4 Mv.3, 5)
• Medium trot across diagonal (USAWE L4 Mv.6)
• Halt, rein back 6–10 steps, proceed collected walk (USAWE L4 Mv.7)
• Half pirouette left at collected walk (USAWE L4 Mv.10)
• Half pirouette right at collected walk (USAWE L4 Mv.11)
• Collected canter depart and 15m circle (USAWE L4 Mv.12)
• 4-loop serpentine at collected canter with simple change through walk on centerline (USAWE L4 Mv.13)
• Medium canter (USAWE L4 Mv.14)
• Sitting trot throughout entire test (USAWE L4 requirement)

WE Obstacles — Canter with Simple Changes USAWE / WE

• Single Slalom at canter with simple change (USAWE Obstacle 12, L4)
• Double Slalom at canter with simple change (USAWE Obstacle 13, L4)
• Figure 8 at canter with simple change or flying change (USAWE Obstacle 2, L4)
• Drums at canter with simple change or flying change (USAWE Obstacle 19, L4)
• Bell Corridor at walk or canter (USAWE Obstacle 9, L4)
• Reinback 'L' at walk or canter (USAWE Obstacle 10, L4)
• Rounding Posts at walk or canter (USAWE Obstacle 11, L4)
• Pen at walk (USAWE Obstacle 3, L4)

L5 Level 5 — Applied Working Rider Shoulder-in at walk and trot, haunches-in, turns on the forehand, canter adjustability and between obstacles. 29 skills total • 20 USAWE/WE skills • 4 test requirements ▾

⭐ Test Requirements — required to pass Level 5

• Shoulder-in and haunches-in at walk
• Canter between obstacles on correct lead
• Teach posting trot with diagonal awareness

Flatwork

• Shoulder-in at walk and trot
• Haunches-in at walk
• Turns on the forehand
• Canter adjustability
• Canter between obstacles with calm transitions

Teaching

• Teaching posting trot and diagonals clearly

USAWE Dressage Movements — Level 5 USAWE / WE

• Half-pass left at collected trot (USAWE L5 Mv.2)
• Half-pass right at collected trot (USAWE L5 Mv.4)
• Medium trot (USAWE L5 Mv.3)
• Extended walk with complete freedom of neck (USAWE L5 Mv.6)
• Half pirouette right at collected walk (USAWE L5 Mv.7)
• Half pirouette left at collected walk (USAWE L5 Mv.8)
• 20m circle at medium canter (USAWE L5 Mv.11)
• 10m circle at collected canter (USAWE L5 Mv.12)
• Half-pass right at canter from centerline (USAWE L5 Mv.13)
• Half-pass left at canter from centerline (USAWE L5 Mv.18)
• Flying change of lead (USAWE L5 Mv.14, 19)
• 3-loop serpentine at canter with flying changes over centerline (USAWE L5 Mv.20)

WE Obstacles — Flying Changes and Advanced USAWE / WE

• Single Slalom at canter with flying change (USAWE Obstacle 12, L5)
• Double Slalom at canter with flying change (USAWE Obstacle 13, L5)
• Figure 8 at canter with flying change (USAWE Obstacle 2, L5)
• Drums at canter with flying change (USAWE Obstacle 19, L5)
• Reverse Figure 8 at walk (USAWE Obstacle 2 Reverse, L5)
• Pen at walk or canter (USAWE Obstacle 3, L5)
• Sidepass Rail at walk (USAWE Obstacle 16, L5)

L6 Level 6 — Advanced Working Rider Shoulder-in and haunches-in at trot, turns on the haunches, walk half-pass, prepared transitions, collection concepts. 29 skills total • 20 USAWE/WE skills • 4 test requirements ▾

⭐ Test Requirements — required to pass Level 6

• Half-pass at walk
• Turns on haunches with calmness
• Teach an intermediate lesson

Flatwork

• Shoulder-in and haunches-in at trot
• Turns on the haunches
• Walk half-pass
• Prepared transitions
• Introduction to collection concepts

Teaching

• Teaching intermediate riders independently

USAWE Dressage Movements — Level 6 USAWE / WE

• Figure 8 (left 8m, right 8m) at collected walk (USAWE L6 Mv.2)
• Full pirouette left at walk (USAWE L6 Mv.3)
• Full pirouette right at walk (USAWE L6 Mv.4)
• Extended walk with overstride (USAWE L6 Mv.5)
• Half-pass left at walk (USAWE L6 Mv.6)
• Half-pass right at walk (USAWE L6 Mv.7)
• Leg yield left and right at trot (USAWE L6 Mv.9)
• Halt, rein back 6–10 steps, proceed collected canter (USAWE L6 Mv.10)
• 20m extended canter, 15m medium canter, 10m collected canter circles (USAWE L6 Mv.12)
• Half-pirouette left at canter (USAWE L6 Mv.13)
• Half-pirouette right at canter (USAWE L6 Mv.16)
• Flying change after half-pirouette (USAWE L6 Mv.14)
• Extended/collected canter alternating on long and short sides of arena (USAWE L6 Mv.18-19)
• 4-loop serpentine with flying changes on centerline (USAWE L6 Mv.20)

WE Obstacles — Advanced One-Handed USAWE / WE

• Full WE obstacle course at canter with flying changes (USAWE L6)
• Rounding Posts at canter (USAWE Obstacle 11, L6)
• Sidepass Rail at walk or canter (USAWE Obstacle 16, L6)
• Reverse Figure 8 at walk (USAWE Obstacle 2 Reverse, L6)
• Pen at walk or canter (USAWE Obstacle 3, L6)

L7 Level 7 — Refined Rider Half-pass at trot, walk pirouettes, walk → canter → walk transitions, simple changes. 25 skills total • 17 USAWE/WE skills • 3 test requirements ▾

⭐ Test Requirements — required to pass Level 7

• Clean simple changes
• Walk pirouettes
• Teach canter mechanics

Flatwork

• Half-pass at trot
• Walk pirouettes
• Walk → canter → walk transitions
• Simple changes

Teaching

• Teaching canter mechanics and transitions

USAWE Dressage Movements — Level 7 (Masters) USAWE / WE

• Walk in straight line minimum 10m with collection and activity (USAWE L7 Mv.2)
• Full pirouette right and left at walk (USAWE L7 Mv.3-4)
• Halt, rein back minimum 6 steps, exit at walk without loss of activity (USAWE L7 Mv.5)
• Half-pass right and left at walk (minimum 10m each) (USAWE L7 Mv.6-7)
• 3-loop serpentine at walk (USAWE L7 Mv.8)
• Two leg yields at walk (one each side, minimum 10m) (USAWE L7 Mv.9)
• Medium trot minimum 15m (USAWE L7 Mv.10)
• Halt, rein back 6 steps, immediately canter right lead (USAWE L7 Mv.11)
• 3 circles right: 20m extended, 15m medium, 10m collected canter (USAWE L7 Mv.12)
• 3 circles left: 20m extended, 15m medium, 10m collected canter (USAWE L7 Mv.14)
• Figure 8 (two circles max 10m) at canter with flying change (USAWE L7 Mv.15)
• Half turn on left rein and half turn on right rein at canter (USAWE L7 Mv.16, 18)
• Extended/collected canter on three sides of arena (USAWE L7 Mv.19)
• 4-loop serpentine with flying changes at every centerline crossing (USAWE L7 Mv.21)

WE Obstacles — Masters Level USAWE / WE

• Full competition-standard WE obstacle course (USAWE L6/L7)
• Jug — pick up jug from stand, carry, replace on other side (USAWE Obstacle 4)
• Switch Cup — switch cup from one post to another (USAWE Obstacle 8)

L8 Level 8 — Mastery Development Flying change preparation and execution, canter half-pass preparation, increased canter collection. 15 skills total • 9 USAWE/WE skills • 2 test requirements ▾

⭐ Test Requirements — required to pass Level 8

• Clean flying changes
• Teach flying change preparation

Flatwork

• Flying change preparation
• Flying changes
• Canter half-pass preparation
• Increased canter collection

USAWE Dressage Refinement — Advanced Collection USAWE / WE

• Flying changes on demand at any point in the arena (USAWE L5-L6)
• Half-pass at canter with increased engagement and self-carriage (USAWE L5-L6)
• Collected canter 10m circle with uphill balance (USAWE L5-L6)
• Canter pirouette preparation: decreasing circle to 6m (USAWE L6-L7)
• 4-loop serpentine with flying changes — fluency and symmetry (USAWE L6-L7)
• Extended canter to collected canter transitions within one stride (USAWE L6-L7)

WE Competition Preparation USAWE / WE

• Ride full 12-obstacle EOH course at competition standard (USAWE Intermediate L4/L5)
• Speed trial: complete course as quickly as possible with clean execution (USAWE Speed Trial)
• Course walk strategy: planning lines between obstacles (USAWE EOH)

L9 Level 9 — One-Handed Mastery All work performed one-handed: walk, trot, canter, lateral work, and obstacle courses. 15 skills total • 9 USAWE/WE skills • 3 test requirements ▾

⭐ Test Requirements — required to pass Level 9

• Full WE course one-handed
• Teach advanced seat and weight aids

One-Handed Work

• One-handed walk and trot
• One-handed canter
• One-handed lateral work
• One-handed obstacle work

USAWE One-Handed Advanced Movements USAWE / WE

• One-handed full pirouette at walk — both directions (USAWE L6)
• One-handed half-pirouette at canter — both directions (USAWE L6)
• One-handed 4-loop serpentine with flying changes (USAWE L6)
• One-handed extended/collected canter alternating on arena sides (USAWE L6)
• One-handed half-pass at trot and canter (USAWE L6)
• One-handed rein back from halt, proceed to canter (USAWE L6-L7)

WE Obstacles — Full Advanced Course One-Handed USAWE / WE

• Jug and Switch Cup one-handed at canter (USAWE L6)
• Garrocha pole series (Remove, Spear Ring, Replace) at canter one-handed (USAWE L6)

L10 Level 10 — Collected Mastery Collected lateral work, canter pirouettes, one-handed collected work, invisible aids and refinement. The horse finishes the ride more relaxed, sound, and confident than when it started. 13 skills total • 9 USAWE/WE skills • 1 test requirement ▾

⭐ Test Requirements — required to pass Level 10

• Full USAWE Level 7 (Masters) dressage test from memory

Collected Work

• Collected lateral work
• Canter pirouettes
• One-handed collected work
• Invisible aids and refinement

USAWE Masters-Level Dressage USAWE / WE

• Canter pirouette — both directions (USAWE L7)
• Halt from collected canter, rein back 6 steps, canter depart (USAWE L7 Mv.11)
• 3-circle pattern: extended/medium/collected canter — both directions (USAWE L7 Mv.12, 14)
• Invisible aids: horse responds to weight and leg with minimal rein (USAWE L7)

WE Cattle Trial Introduction USAWE / WE

• Understanding cattle trial rules and objectives (USAWE Section 8)
• Riding calmly near cattle without spooking (USAWE Cattle Trial)
• Cutting and herding a single cow from the herd (USAWE Cattle Trial)
• Team coordination in cattle trial (USAWE Cattle Trial)