They're Here! They're Here!

11/4/2014

Not that anyone but me probably cares, but USEF has published the new National Dressage Tests for 2015 - 2018. I'll have printable PDFs on the website soon, but for now, here is the link to USEF where you can see the new tests for yourself. They are effective beginning December 1, 2014.

The tests I care about ...

I've been worried about the tests because the last time they changed them (in 2011), they moved the movements from Training Level Test 1 down to Introductory C which means I got stuck at Intro for longer than I had wanted to be. I've looked over the three tests from First Level, and thankfully, the purpose has remained exactly the same:

No change here ...

USEF has also kept the three tests per level format. That worked well for me, so I am glad about that.

The skills introduced at First Level have also remained unchanged:

For Test 1: 10-meter half circle at trot; 15-meter circle in canter; and lengthening of stride in trot and canter.
For Test 2: Leg yield.
For Test 3: 10-meter circle at trot; change of lead through trot; and counter canter.

While the introduced skills have not changed at First Level, the tests are different. In the old Test 1, there was a fun little "S" at X made by two 10-meter circles. In the new Test, each 10-meter half circle is ridden separately, which is probably easier. Since I have only memorized (and practiced) Test 1, I don't know what else has changed, but it doesn't matter as I won't really ride those tests until late winter any way. Except ...

I am taking Speedy to a schooling show this weekend, and we'll be using the old tests. I wasn't planning on riding Test 2, but due to a change in plans, I will now be riding first Level Test 1 and 2 … Heaven help us as I haven't even read Test 2. Nothing like jumping right in!

Look over the new tests and let me know what has changed, especially at Second Level. Who knows? I might get there sooner than I think!

17 Comments

jenj

11/3/2014 10:44:33 pm

I had JUST memorized 1-2 for an upcoming show and then they changed them. Pout. The movements are all very similar, just some smallish changes here and there.

Super excited for your schooling show this weekend! Good luck!

Bakersfield Dressage link

11/5/2014 09:36:16 am

I always memorize my tests, but for this show, I am asking for a reader. I know 1-1 pretty well, but what's the point of REALLY memorizing it if I am only going to do it once? And thanks!

Austen link

11/4/2014 12:02:26 am

I looooooved the old First 2. It was fun. You changed direction a lot, but things didn't come up super fast to surprise you. I haven't looked closely at it, but it didn't look like it changed too much.

Second level... wheeeeew boy. Second 1 changed a lot. Instead of a canter serpentine maintaining one lead, there is now one single serpentine with a change of lead at the centerline of each loop. Omg. So much harder, I think! Just give us counter canter already! That particular movement will fry Pig's brain.

They also pushed renvers out of 2nd 3 all the way to 3rd 2. To me, Second 3 is easier than Second 1. Weird.

Here's a good breakdown posted on my GMO page: https://www.facebook.com/download/743032522437806/2011-2015%20Test%20Comparisons.pdf

Jan link

11/4/2014 12:39:50 am

Sweet on the breakdown. I liked 2nd 3, it flowed very nicely. I haven't looked at the new one yet. It sounds like 3rd 2 got a revamp, I'm intrigued. I didn't like 3-2 before. I don't know why they put 4 changes in the second test of a level. It should have been in the third test of the level, gotta do more, make that the qualifier!

Mia link

11/4/2014 08:46:21 am

I saw the change with the serpentine at 2nd. It seemed like thy took that straight from the 2nd level Rider Test. I couldn't decide if that was easier, or harder, than a 3 loop serpentine with no change of lead though... I can't seem to do either of them. Ha!

Mia link

11/4/2014 08:51:50 am

Austen - Can I use that document to share with my GMO?

Austen link

11/5/2014 12:27:41 am

I don't see why not ...

Bakersfield Dressage link

11/5/2014 09:40:03 am

I LOVE the comparison chart, but it made me laugh as we use these charts all the time at work. We always have so many changes to either the standards or other circular aspects that we need charts to show us what has changed! Either way, great tool - thanks for sharing!

Jan link

11/4/2014 12:35:28 am

First of all: Good luck this weekend!!!! Don't sweat it and relax :)

I glanced at 2nd test 1 for you. The major change in that test is the fact you no longer have to do two canter 3 loop serpentine while maintaining the starting lead (because you no longer do this, most of the canter work has changed order). It's one serpentine with two simple changes on centerline as you change the loops. I only glanced at it, but I think I like it, it's a nicer intro to the counter canter than throwing you into 3 loops while maintaining the same lead. The 3 loop is on the 2* and 3* FEI eventing tests (2* is 2nd/3rd level, 3* is 3rd). Also you no longer have to medium trot the entire length of the full diagonal- it's only what I call the 3/4 diagonal: H-P and M-V. That would have been nice when I did the tests- my horse tended to run out of steam by 3/4 of the way through.

Another thing I noticed is an immobility time for the halts. 3 seconds. That's a long time when you're just standing there. I had heard about an immobility rule at the final halts at a recognized show I was at- my husband overheard some people talking while I was warming up and told me that they pretty much said it was up to the judge's discretion, they weren't sure of the rules. Well now there is a rule!

I started glancing at the 3rd level tests, and nothing new or ground breaking (I only looked at test 1 so far, so I might have just lied to you), I noticed:
-new immobility times at the halts (Sure, but I tend to hang out in my halts trying to prep to get the best first step I can)
-longer half passes in trot (L-H instead of L-S, I don't like having 36m to go 10m sideways, it used to be 24. The judges expect decent reach and crossover, and I think that's just harder to get when you have more distance forward to travel.)

Nothing else changed, but I'll have to work on making my half passes travel more forward and less sideways... I think they've made it too leg-yield-like. Maybe that was the point, but I still don't like it. It'll force me to push for more forward in my half pass, I tend to let my horse get slow.

I have to see the other tests- I never rode 3rd 2 because it asked for 4 flying changes when 3-1 and 3-3 only asked for 2, and it asked for 2 of them on consecutive short diagonals (K-B and then B-H) and my horse just isn't ready for that.

I also like the 3 test format!

I am excited to have new tests, and I'm already planning on buying the USEF phone app that has all the tests. I assume they will not be updating the app I have with the new tests and I will have to buy a new app (only 9.99 for the 2011 test app). It has all the tests from training to fourth, with rider tests, and has the standard read through instructions, look through the diagrams of the movements drawn in the arena, and lets you record the test for you to playback to yourself so you can read tests to yourself while you ride (I haven't used that function, seemed hard to get the timing right).

Austen link

11/4/2014 04:03:29 am

Ooh! Great point about the 3 second halts. I saw that too, and thought about how some horses are going to get docked considerably for that! Also, a good remark on the medium gaits across the diagonal. The whole diagonal is super hard to maintain a medium in, and one reason my scores at Second have been super low. I am really excited about that!

The half passes at 3rd that I've scribed for have shown a tendency to get off balance and fall sideways, losing the engagement. I wonder if that's why they lengthened the distance? Maybe that's just a trend in my neck of the woods?

Bakersfield Dressage link

11/5/2014 09:42:26 am

I worked on the 3 second halt tonight. Fortunately, Speedy G isn't a super forward horse so he's usually pretty happy to stand. I counted out the three seconds which is what I'll have to do for a show. In all honestly, I don't find this hard as I always take my time in the halt; I use the time to regroup and think about tracking left or right.

Paola link

11/4/2014 01:04:51 am

I'm doing Training Level now and it doesn't seem like those have changed, at least for 3 which is what I've been learning. I did ride First Level 1 once before though and remember the 10 meter S loop. Good luck with your show! It will be interesting to see how these new tests ride.

Bakersfield Dressage link

11/5/2014 09:43:30 am

I didn't see any changes at Training Level either so you should be good for a while. :0)

Lauren link

11/4/2014 01:39:50 am

Eep! I need to learn these to hopefully show in December.

Bakersfield Dressage link

11/5/2014 09:44:14 am

I practice when I am in bed trying to fall asleep. Nothing works quicker!

emma link

11/4/2014 03:41:17 am

good luck at your show this weekend - glad they didn't change the test you planned on riding - so at least you only have to learn one new test :)

Bakersfield Dressage link

11/5/2014 09:45:20 am

The tests have changed, but we'll use the old ones until the beginning of December when the new tests become effective, but it sure discouraged me from trying to memorize my tests for this schooling show! I already begged for a reader. :0)

About the
Writer & Rider

I am a lifetime rider.
I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
Welcome to my dressage journey.

Photo by Lori Ovanessian

Email Karen

About Speedy G

Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse and occasional trail horse. He is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.

July 2017 - Photo by Sue Dockweiler

About Izzy

Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are schooling the dressage basics. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand Zweibrücker gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.

Second Show - July 2016

Bakersfield Dressage approved!

National Awards

USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

Stuff I'm Working On ...

Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Scores
Second Level Scores:
Score 1: 63.485%
Score 2: 61.282%
Score 3: 62.879%

CDS Championship Qualifying
Second Level Scores:
Score 1: 63.485%
Score 2: 61.282%
Score 3: 62.879%
Score 4:
Score 5:

CDS Ruby Rider Award
Training Level Scores:
Score 1: 70.179%
Score 2: 72.600%

First Level Scores:
Score 1: 66.093%
Score 2: 68.750%

Second Level Scores:
Score 1: 63.485%
Score 2: 62.879%

USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award
Score 1 - 62.879%
Score 2 -
Score 3 -
Score 4 -

2018 Show Season

Show Rating
(***) CDS/USDF/USE
(*) CDS
(s) Schooling
(c) Clinic
(t) Ride-a-Test Clinic
(Q) Must Qualify

2018 Pending …
6/16-17/18 El Sueno (***)
5/27/18 Tehachapi (*)
6/24/18 Tehachapi (*)
7/22/18 Tehachapi (*)
8/11-12/18 RAAC (Q ***)
8/26/18 Tehachapi (*)

2018 Completed …
1/14/18 Hurtado Clinic (c)
2/10/18 Hurtado Clinic (c)
2/24/18 Hurtado Clinic (c)
3/17/18 Hurtado Clinic (t)
3/18/18 GEAHS (*)
3/31/18 Hurtado Clinic (c)
4/14-15/18 El Sueno (***)