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Dressage Tests by Country: All Levels and Official Test Sheets

By the Dressage Wiki Editorial Board · Updated 8 October 2026

This page lists the dressage tests currently in use at twelve federations, level by level, with a link to each official test sheet. It is the reference behind the level comparator: every level carries the rung it occupies on the shared 12-rung difficulty ladder, the movements its tests contain, the arena size, who may enter, and what the federation itself says about the FEI equivalent.

Open a level to see its detail. Test names and movement lists are kept in the federation’s own language where the test sheets use it. Levels marked “not on the ladder” are children’s or young-horse tracks that are listed for completeness but cannot be compared. An amber badge means at least one item could not be read from an official source, and should be treated as a pointer rather than a fact.

Data edition: 4 Oct 2026. Senior/standard national dressage tests + FEI; pony, para, young-horse and freestyle tests excluded (listed only as notes). Levels/tests with 'unverified': true contain at least one item that could not be read from an official source. Display them with a warning, never as fact.

FEI / International

Official test index · 12 levels

Edition and verification notes

The FEI tests in use until 31 December 2026 are the 'update 2026' editions for Seniors, U25, Young Riders, Juniors and Ponies, and the 'Edition 2020 - update 2022' sheets for Children. The official test sheets are published on the FEI tests page at https://inside.fei.org/fei/your-role/organisers/dressage/tests, which also lists 'Edition 2027' tests valid from 1 January 2027 (no PDFs were linked yet on 29 September 2026). The 2027 line-up restructures the senior levels: CDI1* and CDIO1* ride Prix St. Georges, Intermediate I and Intermediate I Freestyle, CDI2* and CDIO2* ride Intermediate II A, Intermediate II B, Intermediate II Freestyle and Grand Prix A, CDI3* and above ride Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle (Short Grand Prix at CDI-W only), and CDIU25 rides Intermediate II B and Grand Prix 16-25, while Intermediate A and Intermediate B do not appear in the 2027 list. All FEI tests, including Children, are ridden in a 20 x 60 m arena (FEI Dressage Rules 2026, Art. 411.3), and bridle rules, athlete ages and minimum horse ages come from the tables in Art. 401.7 and 401.8 of the same Rules, with spurs optional at all levels. Freestyles, the Short Grand Prix, young horse tests, Regional Games and para tests are not covered here.

FEI Children Rung 5 4 tests
Rungs covered
FEI Children (rung 5: Elementary or Second level (shoulder-in, collection begins, simple changes))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • Halt, immobility and salute (entry in working trot; the Individual test enters in collected trot)
  • Serpentine of four loops in trot (Preliminary A)
  • Circles of 15 m in canter (Preliminary A)
  • Half voltes of 10 m in trot
  • 20 m circle or half circle, giving and retaking the reins for 3 strides
  • Leg-yield after a 10 m half volte (Team)
  • Shoulder-in (Individual)
  • Turn on the haunches in medium walk (Team, Individual)
  • Counter-canter: half volte of 10 m returning to the track (Preliminary B), one loop of 10 m (Team), serpentine of two loops in true and counter-canter (Individual)
  • Simple change of leg (Team, Individual; the Individual test includes a simple change from counter-canter to counter-canter)
  • Stretching circle, letting the horse stretch on a long rein in trot (Preliminary B in rising trot, Individual)
  • Transitions between working or collected canter and medium canter
Gaits
Working trot, Collected trot (Individual only), Medium trot, Lengthening of trot steps, Medium walk, Working canter, Collected canter, Medium canter, Lengthening of canter strides
Notes
Children tests are scored with a technical marking sheet plus a separate Children Quality Marking Sheet (rider's position and seat, effectiveness of the aids, precision, general impression), and the final score is the average of the technical and quality percentages. There are no flying changes, no rein-back, no half-pass and no extended paces. Preliminary A is ridden entirely in working trot, working canter and medium walk. The Children tests show 'Edition 2020 - update 2022' on the 2026 index and were not updated in 2026. Bridle: snaffle (FEI Dressage Rules table).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 5 (upper part) because the tests include shoulder-in (Individual), simple changes, turn on the haunches, counter-canter loops and medium gaits, but no rein-back, no half-pass and no flying changes.

Tests and sources

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FEI Pony Riders Rung 6 3 tests
Rungs covered
FEI Pony Riders (rung 6: Medium without flying changes, or FEI Pony level (trot half-pass, extended gaits))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • Halt, immobility and salute
  • Shoulder-in left and right
  • Voltes of 8 m in trot and canter, half voltes of 10 m in trot (Team)
  • Half-pass in trot
  • Halt and rein-back of 4 steps (Preliminary) or 5 steps (Team: into collected canter; Individual: into collected trot)
  • Half-pirouettes in walk (collected walk)
  • Extended walk
  • Counter-canter, including a serpentine of two loops in true and counter-canter in the Individual test
  • Simple changes of leg, including a simple change from counter-canter to counter-canter in the Individual test
  • Giving and retaking the reins for 3 canter strides (Team)
  • Transitions between collected, medium and extended trot and canter
Gaits
Collected trot, Medium trot, Extended trot, Medium walk, Collected walk, Extended walk, Collected canter, Medium canter, Extended canter
Notes
There are no flying changes at Pony level, so all canter changes are simple changes. Errors of course on the Pony sheets: the first error costs 0.5 percentage point, the second 1 point and the third means elimination. Pony height limit (FEI Veterinary Regulations 2026, Art. 1080.2): the height at the withers must not exceed 148 cm without shoes or 149 cm with shoes, and Dressage Rules 2026 Art. 433.3.2 refers to the Veterinary Regulations for maximum height and measuring. The minimum pony age is 6 years (Dressage Rules Art. 433.1).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 6 because the tests include shoulder-in, trot half-pass, a rein-back of 4 to 5 steps, walk half-pirouettes, extended gaits and simple changes, but no flying changes.

Tests and sources

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FEI Junior Rung 8 3 tests
Rungs covered
FEI Junior (rung 8: Advanced Medium or FEI Junior level (canter half-passes, several changes, walk half-pirouettes))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • Halt, immobility and salute
  • Voltes of 10 m and half voltes of 10 m in trot
  • Shoulder-in left and right
  • Half-pass in trot (from a half volte)
  • Halt and rein-back of 4 steps (Team)
  • Half-pirouettes in walk (Team, Individual)
  • Extended walk, collected walk and medium walk
  • Half-pass in canter
  • Counter-canter
  • Simple change of leg (Preliminary, Individual)
  • Single flying changes of leg (Preliminary: at I and L; Team: on the short side and at markers; Individual: on the centre line and at markers)
  • Half 20 m circle letting the horse stretch on a long rein in trot (Individual)
  • Transitions between collected, medium and extended trot and canter
Gaits
Collected trot, Medium trot, Extended trot, Medium walk, Collected walk, Extended walk, Collected canter, Medium canter, Extended canter
Notes
Single flying changes only, with no tempi changes, no canter pirouettes and no trot zigzag. Broadly comparable to a national Medium or Advanced Medium level.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 8 because the tests include trot and canter half-pass, single flying changes on several lines, walk half-pirouettes, a rein-back of 4 steps and extended gaits, but no tempi changes and no pirouettes.

Tests and sources

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FEI Young Riders Rung 9 3 tests
Rungs covered
FEI Young Riders (rung 9: Small Tour entry, Prix St. Georges or Young Riders (canter half-pirouettes, changes every fourth and third stride))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • Halt, immobility and salute
  • Shoulder-in left and right
  • Voltes of 8 m in trot
  • Half-pass in trot
  • Halt and rein-back of 5 steps (Individual)
  • Half-pirouettes in walk (Team)
  • Extended walk
  • Half-pass in canter with a flying change of leg
  • Half-pirouettes in canter
  • Counter-canter
  • Flying changes every fourth stride, 5 changes (Preliminary, Team, Individual)
  • Flying changes every third stride, 5 changes (Team, Individual)
  • Single flying changes of leg
  • Extended canter with collected canter and a flying change
Gaits
Collected trot, Medium trot, Extended trot, Collected walk, Medium walk (Individual), Extended walk, Collected canter, Medium canter, Extended canter
Notes
The Young Riders Team test (26 movements, 5 minutes 50 seconds) contains exactly the same sequence of movements as the Prix St. Georges 2026 sheet. The Young Rider level is therefore Prix St. Georges level, with no canter zigzag, no two-tempi changes and no full pirouettes.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 9 because the tests include canter half-pirouettes, 5 flying changes every fourth stride and every third stride, and canter half-pass with a flying change, and the Team test has the same sequence as the Prix St. Georges.

Tests and sources

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FEI Prix St. Georges Rung 9 1 tests
Rungs covered
Prix St. Georges (rung 9: Small Tour entry, Prix St. Georges or Young Riders (canter half-pirouettes, changes every fourth and third stride))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • Halt, immobility and salute (enter in collected canter)
  • Shoulder-in left and right
  • Voltes of 8 m in trot
  • Half-pass in trot left and right
  • Half-pirouettes in walk (collected walk)
  • Extended walk
  • Half-pass in canter with a flying change of leg
  • Half-pirouettes in canter
  • Counter-canter with a flying change
  • 5 flying changes every fourth stride
  • 5 flying changes every third stride
  • Extended canter, collected canter and a flying change
  • No rein-back, no piaffe or passage and no full pirouettes
Gaits
Collected trot, Medium trot, Extended trot, Collected walk, Extended walk, Collected canter, Extended canter
Notes
26 movements, with a total of 320 points plus the collective mark for harmony (coefficient 2), making 340. Errors of course: the first error costs 2 percentage points and the second means elimination. Scheduled at CDI1* and CDIO1* (Rules table) together with Intermediate I. From 1 January 2027 a new 'Edition 2027' Prix St. Georges is listed, whose PDF was not yet published on 29 September 2026.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 9 as the reference test of that rung, with canter half-pirouettes, 5 flying changes every fourth stride, 5 every third stride and no rein-back.

Tests and sources

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FEI Intermediate I Rung 10 1 tests
Rungs covered
Intermediate I (rung 10: Intermediate I (full pirouettes, changes every third and second stride, canter zigzag))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • Halt, immobility and salute
  • Shoulder-in on the centre line, left and right
  • Voltes of 8 m in trot
  • Half-pass in trot left and right
  • Halt, rein-back of 5 steps, proceed in collected trot
  • Collected walk and extended walk
  • Canter zigzag: 3 half-passes 5 m either side of the centre line with a flying change at each change of direction
  • Extended canter with a flying change
  • 5 flying changes every third stride
  • 7 flying changes every second stride
  • Full canter pirouettes left and right
  • Single flying changes
  • Extended trot
Gaits
Collected trot, Medium trot, Extended trot, Collected walk, Extended walk, Collected canter, Extended canter
Notes
25 movements. Compared with Prix St. Georges it adds rein-back, a canter zigzag, two-tempi changes and full canter pirouettes.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 10 as the reference test of that rung, with full pirouettes, 5 flying changes every third stride, 7 every second stride, a canter zigzag and a rein-back of 5 steps.

Tests and sources

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FEI Intermediate A Rung 11 1 tests
Rungs covered
Intermediate A (rung 11: Medium Tour, Intermediate A and B (first piaffe and passage, one-tempi changes))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • Halt, immobility and salute
  • Trot zigzag: 3 half-passes 5 m either side of the centre line
  • Half 20 m circle with a transition to passage
  • Passage
  • Piaffe of 7 to 10 steps (half steps, 2 m forward allowed)
  • Transitions passage to piaffe to trot and walk to piaffe to trot
  • Extended walk and collected walk
  • Extended trot
  • Extended canter with a flying change
  • Half-pass in canter with a flying change (both directions)
  • Full canter pirouettes on the short diagonal, left and right
  • 7 flying changes every second stride
  • 7 flying changes every stride
  • Passage on the centre line before the final halt
Gaits
Collected trot, Extended trot, Collected walk, Extended walk, Collected canter, Extended canter, Passage, Piaffe
Notes
27 movements. This is the first level with piaffe (7 to 10 steps, forward allowed) and passage, and with one-tempi changes (7). Scheduled at CDI2* and CDIO2* with Intermediate B and Intermediate II. Intermediate A is not in the 'valid from 01/01/2027' list on the FEI tests page.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 11 because it is the first test with piaffe (7 to 10 steps) and passage, and it has 7 one-tempi changes.

Tests and sources

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FEI Intermediate B Rung 11 1 tests
Rungs covered
Intermediate B (rung 11: Medium Tour, Intermediate A and B (first piaffe and passage, one-tempi changes))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • Halt, immobility and salute
  • Extended trot
  • Half-pass in trot left and right
  • Passage (long side, short side and centre line)
  • Piaffe of 7 to 10 steps (half steps, 2 m forward allowed), twice
  • Transitions passage to piaffe to passage
  • Extended walk and collected walk
  • Halt, rein-back of 4 steps, proceed in collected canter
  • 7 flying changes every second stride
  • Canter zigzag: 4 half-passes with a flying change at each change of direction (4-8-8-4 strides)
  • Extended canter with a flying change
  • 9 flying changes every stride
  • Full canter pirouettes on the short diagonal, right and left, with flying changes before and after
Gaits
Collected trot, Extended trot, Collected walk, Extended walk, Collected canter, Extended canter, Passage, Piaffe
Notes
26 movements. Compared with Intermediate A it adds passage to piaffe to passage transitions, a canter zigzag of 4 half-passes and 9 one-tempi changes. Not in the 'valid from 01/01/2027' list.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 11 (upper part) because it adds passage to piaffe to passage transitions, a canter zigzag of 4 half-passes and 9 one-tempi changes.

Tests and sources

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FEI Intermediate II Rung 12 1 tests
Rungs covered
Intermediate II (rung 12: Big Tour: Intermediate II, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special)
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • Halt, immobility and salute
  • Extended trot
  • Trot zigzag: 3 half-passes 5 m either side of the centre line
  • Passage (on the diagonal and along the track)
  • Piaffe of 8 to 10 steps (1 m forward permitted), twice
  • Transitions passage to piaffe to passage
  • Extended walk and collected walk
  • Medium canter with a flying change
  • Half-pass in canter to the centre line, left and right
  • Full canter pirouettes at I, left and right
  • Extended canter with a flying change
  • 7 flying changes every second stride
  • 11 flying changes every stride
  • Passage on the centre line, halt at I
Gaits
Collected trot, Extended trot, Collected walk, Extended walk, Collected canter, Medium canter, Extended canter, Passage, Piaffe
Notes
27 movements. It is also the first test of the U25 category (Rules Art. 401.8: the U25 tests are Intermediate II, Grand Prix 16-25 and Grand Prix Freestyle). From 1 January 2027 the FEI list shows 'Intermediate II A' and 'Intermediate II B' (CDI2*) and 'Intermediate II B' for CDIU25 instead of a single Intermediate II.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 12 (entry) because it has piaffe of 8 to 10 steps, 7 two-tempi changes, 11 one-tempi changes and a trot zigzag.

Tests and sources

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FEI U25 - Grand Prix 16-25 Rung 12 1 tests
Rungs covered
Grand Prix 16-25 (U25) (rung 12: Big Tour: Intermediate II, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special)
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • Halt, immobility and salute
  • Extended trot with transitions
  • Trot zigzag: 4 half-passes 5 m either side of the centre line
  • Transition from collected trot to passage
  • Half voltes of 10 m in passage
  • Piaffe of 8 to 10 steps (three times, including on the centre line)
  • Transitions passage to piaffe to passage
  • Medium trot
  • Extended walk and collected walk
  • Extended canter with a flying change
  • Half-pass in canter to the centre line, left and right
  • Full canter pirouettes at I, left and right
  • 9 flying changes every second stride
  • 15 flying changes every stride
  • Passage, piaffe and passage on the centre line before the final halt at G
Gaits
Collected trot, Medium trot, Extended trot, Collected walk, Extended walk, Collected canter, Extended canter, Passage, Piaffe
Notes
31 movements. The content sits between Intermediate II and Grand Prix: Grand Prix tempi counts (9 two-tempi and 15 one-tempi changes) but piaffe of only 8 to 10 steps and no canter zigzag. The U25 category tests under the Rules are Intermediate II, Grand Prix 16-25 and Grand Prix Freestyle. From 1 January 2027 an 'Edition 2027' Grand Prix 16-25 is listed.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 12 because it has piaffe of 8 to 10 steps three times, 9 two-tempi changes and 15 one-tempi changes.

Tests and sources

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FEI Grand Prix Rung 12 1 tests
Rungs covered
Grand Prix (rung 12: Big Tour: Intermediate II, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special)
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • Halt, immobility and salute
  • Extended trot
  • Half-pass in trot right and left
  • Halt, rein-back of 5 steps, proceed in collected trot
  • Passage
  • Piaffe of 12 to 15 steps (three times)
  • Transitions passage to piaffe to passage
  • Extended walk and collected walk
  • Transition from collected walk to passage
  • 9 flying changes every second stride
  • Extended canter with a flying change
  • Canter zigzag: 5 half-passes either side of the centre line with a flying change at each change of direction (3-6-6-6-3 strides)
  • 15 flying changes every stride
  • Full canter pirouettes left and right on the centre line with a flying change at X between them
  • Passage, piaffe and passage on the centre line before the final halt at G
Gaits
Collected trot, Extended trot, Collected walk, Extended walk, Collected canter, Extended canter, Passage, Piaffe
Notes
33 movements. This is the highest level, with piaffe of 12 to 15 steps, a zigzag of 5 half-passes and 15 one-tempi changes. The Short Grand Prix (Edition 2021, update 2026, CDI-W only) exists as a shortened variant and is excluded here. From 1 January 2027 the FEI list shows a 'Grand Prix' Edition 2027 (CDI3* and above) and a new 'Grand Prix A' (CDI2*).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 12 because it has piaffe of 12 to 15 steps three times, a canter zigzag of 5 half-passes and 15 one-tempi changes.

Tests and sources

  • Grand Prix Edition 2009 - revision 2014 - update 2026

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FEI Grand Prix Special Rung 12 1 tests
Rungs covered
Grand Prix Special (rung 12: Big Tour: Intermediate II, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special)
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • Halt, immobility and salute
  • Extended trot
  • Half-pass in trot left and right
  • Passage
  • Transitions passage to extended trot to passage (twice)
  • Extended walk and collected walk
  • Piaffe of 12 to 15 steps (three times, including from collected walk at G)
  • Transitions collected walk to piaffe to passage and passage to piaffe to passage
  • Half-pass in canter right and left with flying changes
  • 9 flying changes every second stride
  • 15 flying changes every stride
  • Extended canter with a flying change
  • Full canter pirouettes left and right on the centre line
  • 9 flying changes every stride on the centre line between the pirouettes
  • Passage, piaffe and passage on the centre line before the final halt at G
Gaits
Collected trot, Extended trot, Collected walk, Extended walk, Collected canter, Extended canter, Passage, Piaffe
Notes
36 movements. Ridden as the second and final test at CDI3* and above and at Championships, where a minimum of 60% in the qualifying Grand Prix is needed to start. Its distinctive features are the passage to extended trot to passage transitions, piaffe directly from collected walk and one-tempi changes on the centre line between the pirouettes. There is no rein-back and no canter zigzag.
Why this rung
Placed at the top of rung 12 because it is the Grand Prix content plus passage to extended trot transitions and one-tempi changes between the pirouettes.

Tests and sources

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Belgium – Paardensport Vlaanderen / KBRSF (Niveau ladder)

Official test index · 9 levels

Edition and verification notes

The current provincial test sheets (I.1 to I.3, N1.1 to N1.3, N2.1 to N2.3, N3.1 to N3.4, N3P.1 to N3P.4, N3.9 and N3.10) all carry 'Editie 01-03-2024', while the national Niveau 4 sheets (N4.1, N4.2, N4.3) carry 'Editie 01-01-2022' and the Niveau 4 freestyle (kür) 'versie 18-08-2022'. The official sheets are published on the Paardensport Vlaanderen dressage pages for provincial tests (provinciale proeven) and national tests (nationale proeven), with several sheets hosted on Google Drive. These are Paardensport Vlaanderen's own tests, not the Dutch KNHS tests, and they are governed by the Paardensport Vlaanderen Dressuurreglement 2026, which extends the national KBRSF rulebook (Nationaal Reglement Dressuur 2026). Buyers should know the handicap points system: a positive balance of 36 points obliges a combination to move up a level the following year. The freestyle sheets for Initiatie, Niveau 2 and Niveau 3 date from 2020, the provincial young-horse sheets from 01-01-2022, and the Kids 'Bixie' sheets (titled 'Drédag') carry no date.

Kids (Bixie-proef zonder galop / met galop) Rung 2 2 tests
Rungs covered
Kids Bixie without canter (zonder galop) (rung 1: Walk and trot only); Kids Bixie with canter (met galop) (rung 2: Introductory walk, trot and canter)
Arena
The arena size is not printed on the sheets. Both tests use only the letters of a 20 x 40 m arena (A, K, E, H, C, M, B, F, X and G).
Movements
  • Without canter (zonder galop): entry in working trot (arbeidsdraf), halt and salute between X and G
  • Without canter: walk, working trot and change of rein across the diagonal (K-X-M)
  • Without canter: half circle of 10 m (E-X) and turn across the arena from B to E (afwenden)
  • Without canter: 20 m circle in sitting trot (grote volte B-E-B) and broken line (gebroken lijn H-X-K)
  • With canter (met galop): entry in working trot, halt and salute, 20 m circles in working trot (one in rising trot) and change of rein K-X-M
  • With canter: medium walk (middenstap), working canter (arbeidsgalop) left and right, each with a 20 m circle, and transitions from canter to trot
  • Both tests: final halt and salute between X and G, then leaving the arena in free walk (vrije stap)
  • Both tests: four general marks (fluent riding and obedience; accuracy of the figures with correct bend; position and seat, including the correct diagonal; presentation)
Gaits
Walk (stap), ridden as medium walk in the test with canter, Working trot, rising and sitting, Working canter, only in the test with canter
Eligibility
These tests are not covered by the Paardensport Vlaanderen Dressuurreglement 2026, which does not mention them, and they fall outside the handicap points system. The sheets are headed 'Drédag'. Paardensport Vlaanderen describes Drédag as an introduction day for children aged 6 to 16, riding their own horse or pony or one from a club.
Notes
Listed on the provincial tests page (provinciale proeven) under 'KIDS' as 'Bixie-proef zonder galop / met galop'. The sheets themselves carry the title 'Drédag' with 'Dressuurproef zonder galop' or 'Dressuurproef met galop', and no edition date is printed. The tests are not part of the Niveau ladder.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 2 because the test with canter (met galop) asks for working walk, trot and canter with 20 m circles, and no lengthening or lateral work. The test without canter (zonder galop), with walk and working trot only, a 20 m circle, a 10 m half circle, a broken line and a halt, sits on rung 1.

Tests and sources

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Jonge paarden (young horses 4, 5, 6, 7 years) – parallel track Not on the ladder 3 tests
Arena
4-year-olds: 20 x 60 m (or 20 x 40 m). 5- and 6-year-olds at provincial level: separate sheets for 20 x 40 m and 20 x 60 m. National and championship tests: all on 20 x 60 m.
Movements
  • 4-year-olds: FEI test for 4-year-old horses (Dutch translation hosted by Paardensport Vlaanderen, 2025)
  • 5-year-olds, provincial (Paardensport Vlaanderen sheet): working, collected and medium trot, change of rein through an S, serpentine of 3 loops, halt and rein-back of one horse length, medium walk with stretching of the neck, medium canter on a half 20 m circle, collected canter, half volte of 10 m (keertvolte) into counter-canter, simple change, and a half circle in rising trot with stretching
  • 6-year-olds, provincial (Paardensport Vlaanderen sheet): shoulder-in and voltes of 10 m on both reins, half-pass in trot in both directions, medium and extended trot, halt and rein-back of 4 to 5 steps, medium and extended walk, collected canter with a release of the reins (überstreichen), counter-canter, simple changes and medium canter
  • 5- and 6-year-old Paardensport Vlaanderen sheets: no marks per movement, but 5 collective marks out of 10 (trot, walk, canter, submission, general impression), giving a total out of 50 divided by 5
  • National: FEI Young Horse Preliminary and Final tests for 5-, 6- and 7-year-olds (KBRSF article 803)
Gaits
As set out in the FEI young horse tests
Eligibility
A snaffle bridle is compulsory for 4- to 6-year-olds, spurs are optional and a whip is allowed. Belgian Championship for young horses: 4-year-olds ride the KBRSF test in the qualifiers and the FEI test in the final. 5-, 6- and 7-year-olds ride the FEI Preliminary test in the qualifiers and the FEI Final test in the final. The minimum eligibility score (NMER) for international young horse shows (CDI YH) is 75% for 5- and 6-year-olds and 70% for 7-year-olds.
Notes
Not part of the Niveau ladder. Horses aged 4 to 6 collect no handicap points in age-class tests (LEWB article 2007.6). Horses may compete in two consecutive niveaus.
Why this rung
Not placed on a rung because this is a young-horse track that runs alongside the Niveau ladder and is excluded from it.

Tests and sources

Niveau Initiatie (I.1, I.2, I.3) – also sub-provinciaal Rung 2 4 tests
Rungs covered
Initiatie (I.1, I.2, I.3), also sub-provincial (rung 2: Introductory walk, trot and canter)
Arena
20 x 40 m
Movements
  • Entry in working trot, halt and salute (I.3 halts at X; I.1 and I.2 start from the track inside the arena, 'gestart van in de wedstrijdring')
  • Rising trot and sitting trot sections (lichtrijden and doorzitten)
  • 20 m circles in trot and canter, with half circles in I.2
  • Change of rein across the diagonal, and a broken line (gebroken lijn) in I.2
  • Working canter on both reins with a 20 m circle
  • Medium walk (middenstap) sections, with a halt of 3 seconds in the walk section in I.2
  • Stretching the neck forward and downward in rising trot on the diagonal (I.1)
  • Final halt at X, then leaving the arena in walk on a long rein
Gaits
Working walk or medium walk, Working trot, rising and sitting, Working canter
Eligibility
A snaffle bridle (trens) is compulsory. Horses and ponies must be at least 4 years old. The handicap tests are I.2 and I.3. I.1 is a warm-up test (inrijproef) and earns no points. A rider who has ever ridden Prix St-Georges or higher, including abroad, may not ride Initiatie tests, except I.1 as a separate warm-up for Niveau 1. Sub-provincial shows go up to Initiatie tests only. Licence '02' covers sub-provincial and provincial starts at Initiatie and Niveau 1 ('(Sub)provinciaal: initiatieniveau + niveau 1' in the Paardensport Vlaanderen licence overview 2026). With the basic '01' membership, 3 starts at sub-provincial or provincial level are possible on a day licence.
Notes
The rulebook table on levels, tests and arena sizes (article 'Niveaus, proeven en piste afmetingen') lists Initiatie as I.1, I.2 and I.3 plus the Initiatie freestyle (kür), ridden on 20 x 40 m. Scoring: four collective marks with coefficient 2 (seat, effectiveness of the aids, precision, general impression) plus the marks per movement. Errors of course are penalised by 0.5%, then 1%, then elimination.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 2 because the tests ask for working walk, trot and canter, 20 m circles and a halt, with stretching in I.1, and no lengthening as a defining element.

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Niveau 1 (N1.1, N1.2, N1.3) Rung 4 4 tests
Rungs covered
Niveau 1 (N1.1, N1.2, N1.3) (rung 4: Novice or First level (leg-yield, medium gaits, rein-back))
Arena
20 x 40 m
Movements
  • Entry in working trot, halt and salute
  • Leg-yield (wijken voor het been) from the centre line to the track (N1.1, N1.3)
  • Medium trot on the diagonal, rising (middendraf, lichtrijden)
  • Halt, rein-back of 3 to 5 steps, halt (N1.1, N1.2)
  • Volte of 10 m in trot (N1.2) and in canter (N1.3)
  • Serpentine of 4 equal loops in trot (N1.1) and change of rein through an S (N1.1, N1.3)
  • 20 m circle in canter with a release of the reins for 2 to 3 strides (überstreichen), in N1.1 and N1.2
  • Medium canter (middengalop) for a few strides or at least 20 m, with transitions working canter, medium canter, working canter
  • Transition from canter to walk on the diagonal (N1.2)
  • Stretching the neck in rising trot on a circle (N1.3)
  • Change of rein in medium walk
Gaits
Medium walk, Working trot, Medium trot (lengthening), Working canter, Medium canter
Eligibility
A snaffle bridle is compulsory. Free registration of the horse is enough up to Niveau 1, and paid immatriculation is required from Niveau 2. At the interprovincial championship, licence '02' is allowed only for Niveau 1. Handicap points system: a combination earns 3 points for a score of 73% or more, 2 points for 69% to 72.99%, 1 point for 65% to 68.99%, 0 points for 60% to 64.99%, and loses 1 point for a score below 60%. A positive balance of 36 points obliges the combination to move up a level the following year. A negative balance of 1 point or more allows, but does not oblige, moving down one level. Children riding FEI Children tests may ride no lower than Niveau 2, with Niveau 1 as a warm-up.
Notes
The Niveau 1 freestyle (kür) is ridden on 20 x 40 m. The interprovincial championship (Interprovinciaal Kampioenschap) for Niveau 1 is also ridden on 20 x 40 m.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 4 because the tests ask for leg-yield, medium trot and medium canter, halt with rein-back of 3 to 5 steps, voltes of 10 m, and a serpentine or a change of rein through an S.

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Niveau 2 (N2.1, N2.2, N2.3) Rung 5 8 tests
Rungs covered
Niveau 2 (N2.1, N2.2, N2.3) (rung 5: Elementary or Second level (shoulder-in, collection begins, simple changes))
Arena
20 x 40 m or 20 x 60 m, with separate sheets published for each size
Movements
  • Entry in working trot (N2.1) or collected trot (N2.2, N2.3), halt and salute
  • Shoulder-in (schouderbinnenwaarts) on both reins in trot
  • Voltes of 8 m in collected trot (N2.3)
  • Medium trot on the diagonal with transitions from collected or working trot to medium trot and back to collected trot
  • Halt and rein-back of 3 to 5 steps
  • Walk half-turn on the haunches (Kurzkehrt) on both reins
  • Counter-canter (contragalop) on the long side or through the short side, and a serpentine of 3 loops with the second loop in counter-canter (N2.2)
  • Half volte of 10 m or 8 m (keertvolte) without change of lead, into counter-canter
  • Simple changes of lead (enkelvoudige galopwissel), including a serpentine of 3 loops with simple changes over the centre line (N2.3)
  • Medium canter with transitions
  • Half 20 m circle in canter with stretching of the neck (N2.2)
  • Change of rein through an S in trot
Gaits
Medium walk, Working trot, Collected trot (N2.2, N2.3), Medium trot, Working or collected canter, Medium canter, Counter-canter
Eligibility
A snaffle bridle (trens) is compulsory. Paid immatriculation of the horse with the KBRSF is required from Niveau 2. The same handicap points rules apply as at Niveau 1: 36 positive points mean compulsory promotion. Pony riders who ride FEI Pony tests may ride no lower than Niveau 3, with Niveau 2 as a warm-up. A Junior or Young Rider who has never ridden Niveau 5 or higher but rides a horse of international level must start at Niveau 2 or higher.
Notes
The interprovincial championship (Interprovinciaal Kampioenschap) for Niveau 2 is ridden on 20 x 60 m.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 5 because the tests ask for shoulder-in, collected trot (N2.2, N2.3), voltes of 8 m, rein-back, walk half-turn on the haunches (Kurzkehrt), counter-canter and simple changes.

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Niveau 3 (N3.1 – N3.4 horses; N3P.1 – N3P.4 ponies) Rung 7 14 tests
Rungs covered
Niveau 3 (N3.1 to N3.4 horses, N3P.1 to N3P.4 ponies) (rung 7: Medium or Third level (single flying changes))
Arena
N3.1 and N3.2 (and the pony equivalents): 20 x 40 m or 20 x 60 m. N3.3 and N3.4: 20 x 60 m.
Movements
  • Entry in collected trot (N3.1) or collected canter (N3.2 to N3.4), halt and salute
  • Shoulder-in on both reins
  • Voltes of 8 m in collected trot
  • Travers (N3.3, N3.4)
  • Half-pass in trot (appuyeren) in both directions
  • Serpentine of 3 loops in collected trot, 5 m from quarter line to quarter line (N3.2)
  • Medium trot and extended trot (uitgestrekte draf) with transitions
  • Medium walk and extended walk (uitgestrekte stap)
  • Walk half-turn on the haunches (Kurzkehrt) on both reins (N3.1, N3.3, N3.4)
  • Halt and rein-back of 5 steps (N3.2)
  • Collected canter, medium canter and extended canter with transitions
  • Single flying changes (vliegende galopwissel) after a change of rein, a serpentine of 3 loops with flying changes over the centre line (N3.3), and a serpentine of 4 loops with 3 flying changes (N3.4)
  • Counter-canter (N3.3, N3.4)
  • Pony tests (N3P.1 to N3P.4): simple changes (eenvoudige or enkelvoudige galopwissel) wherever a change of lead is asked, including a serpentine of 3 loops with 2 simple changes (N3P.3) and a serpentine of 4 loops with 3 simple changes (N3P.4), no flying changes, and otherwise shoulder-in, voltes of 8 m, travers (N3P.3, N3P.4), trot half-pass, medium and extended trot, extended walk, walk half-turn on the haunches (N3P.1, N3P.3, N3P.4), rein-back of 5 steps (N3P.2), medium and extended canter, and counter-canter (N3P.3, N3P.4)
Gaits
Medium walk, Extended walk, Collected trot, Medium trot, Extended trot, Collected canter, Medium canter, Extended canter, Counter-canter
Eligibility
Snaffle or double bridle (trens or stang-en-trens). Ponies may ride the horse tests up to and including Niveau 3. There is no maximum of handicap points at Niveau 3, so there is no obligation to move up to Niveau 4 or to FEI Pony tests. A Senior who has never ridden Niveau 5 or higher but rides a horse of international level must start at Niveau 3 or higher. The interprovincial championship requires licence '03' or '06' and no national starts that year. A pony combination whose rider is over 16 may choose its level and starts with 0 points.
Notes
Highest provincial level. The interprovincial championship (Interprovinciaal Kampioenschap) for Niveau 3 consists of a Niveau 3 test plus the Niveau 3 freestyle (kür) on 20 x 60 m. Separate test sheets exist for horses (paarden) and ponies (pony's).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 7 because the tests ask for trot half-pass, travers (N3.3, N3.4), extended gaits, walk half-turn on the haunches (Kurzkehrt), rein-back of 5 steps and single flying changes, including in serpentines, but no canter half-pass.

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Niveau 3.9 and 3.10 (preparation for national Niveau 4; formerly N4.2A / N4.3A) Rung 8 2 tests
Rungs covered
N3.9 (rung 7: Medium or Third level (single flying changes)); N3.10 (rung 8: Advanced Medium or FEI Junior level (canter half-passes, several changes, walk half-pirouettes))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • N3.9: shoulder-in, half voltes of 10 m, half circle in working trot letting the reins slide through the hands ('teugels uit de hand laten glijden'), half-pass left then right between the quarter lines, extended trot, halt and rein-back of 5 steps, medium and extended walk, voltes of 8 m in canter, and single flying changes on the centre line and after medium canter
  • N3.10 (the sheet header reads 'Niveau 4' and 'proef 10 (N3.10)'): medium and extended trot, zigzag half-pass in trot of 3 half-passes over 5, 10 and 5 m, extended walk, collected walk, walk half-pirouettes left and right, voltes of 8 m and half-passes in canter, single flying changes, extended canter, and a change of rein with 3 flying changes with a free number of strides between them
Gaits
Medium walk, Extended walk, Collected walk, Collected trot, Working trot, Medium trot, Extended trot, Collected canter, Medium canter, Extended canter
Eligibility
The rider remains a Niveau 3 combination and stays bound to the Niveau 3 handicap points system. These tests cannot be part of a provincial championship or cup. A combination that has already started in Niveau 4 or higher is not eligible for provincial tests. A combination riding N3.9 or N3.10 may ride an N3.1 to N3.4 test as a warm-up. Transitional rule: a combination that has started in national Niveau 4 but never scored above 61% may drop once to Niveau 3.
Notes
The content of N3.9 corresponds to the national test N4.2, and that of N3.10 to the national test N4.3, as checked against the N4.2 and N4.3 sheets of 2022 hosted on Google Drive.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 8 because N3.10, which matches national N4.3, asks for trot zigzag half-pass, walk half-pirouettes, canter half-pass and 3 flying changes with a free number of strides. N3.9, which matches national N4.2, asks for single changes and half-passes and sits on rung 7, so the level straddles rungs 7 and 8.

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Niveau 4 (national – N4.1, N4.2, N4.3) Rung 8 4 tests
Rungs covered
Niveau 4: N4.1, N4.2 (rung 7: Medium or Third level (single flying changes)); Niveau 4: N4.3 (rung 8: Advanced Medium or FEI Junior level (canter half-passes, several changes, walk half-pirouettes))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • N4.1 (warm-up test for Niveau 4, inrijproef): entry in collected canter, halt and salute, shoulder-in, voltes of 8 m, travers, half-pass in trot in both directions, medium trot, medium walk, extended walk, walk half-turn on the haunches (Kurzkehrt) left and right, medium canter, serpentine of 4 loops with 3 flying changes on the centre line, extended canter, counter-canter and extended trot
  • N4.2: shoulder-in, half voltes of 10 m, giving the reins on a half circle, half-passes in trot left and right (zigzag between the quarter lines), extended trot, halt and rein-back of 5 steps, extended walk, voltes of 8 m in canter with single flying changes, and medium canter with a flying change (content identical to N3.9 of Paardensport Vlaanderen and Reprise 4.2 of the LEWB)
  • N4.3: medium and extended trot, zigzag half-pass in trot of 3 half-passes over 5, 10 and 5 m, extended walk, collected walk, walk half-pirouettes left and right, voltes of 8 m and half-pass in canter, single flying changes, extended canter, and a diagonal with 3 flying changes with a free number of strides (content identical to N3.10 of Paardensport Vlaanderen and Reprise 4.3 of the LEWB)
Gaits
Medium walk, Extended walk, Collected walk, Collected trot, Medium trot, Extended trot, Collected canter, Medium canter, Extended canter, Counter-canter
Eligibility
National level (CDN) under KBRSF rules. Horses must be at least 6 years old (article 431.3.1). N4.1 may only be ridden together with compulsory participation in N4.2 or N4.3 (KBRSF article 421.1). A riding jacket and an approved helmet are required, with a snaffle or double bridle, and a whip is allowed in national tests. A rider who has ridden Prix St-Georges or higher on a horse already presented at that level may not start below Niveau 4. Licence: Paardensport Vlaanderen licence '08' ('Nationaal: vanaf niveau 4' in the licence overview 2026). The LEWB table lists licence '04'.
Notes
Listed on the national tests page (nationale proeven) at https://paardensport.vlaanderen/nl/competitie-disciplines/proeven/dressuur/nationale-proeven. The Niveau 4 tests are the KBRSF national tests shared by both leagues, and the LEWB publishes French versions of N4.1, N4.2 and N4.3. The Paardensport Vlaanderen site also links a Niveau 5 freestyle (kür) sheet, covered under the next level.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 8 because N4.3 asks for trot zigzag half-pass over 5, 10 and 5 m, walk half-pirouettes, canter half-pass and 3 flying changes. N4.1 and N4.2, with serpentine changes, travers and half-passes, sit on rung 7, so the level straddles rungs 7 and 8.

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Niveau 5 / 'S proeven' (Prix St-Georges & Intermediaire I level = 'Kleine Tour') and higher FEI levels Rung 9 3 tests
Rungs covered
Niveau 5 / S: FEI Prix St-Georges (Kür niveau 5) (rung 9: Small Tour entry, Prix St. Georges or Young Riders (canter half-pirouettes, changes every fourth and third stride)); Niveau 5 / S: FEI Intermediaire I (rung 10: Intermediate I (full pirouettes, changes every third and second stride, canter zigzag)); FEI Intermediaire A and B (rung 11: Medium Tour, Intermediate A and B (first piaffe and passage, one-tempi changes)); FEI Intermediaire II, Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special (rung 12: Big Tour: Intermediate II, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special)
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • FEI tests from this level: Prix St-Georges, Intermediaire I, Intermediaire A, Intermediaire B, Intermediaire II, Grand Prix (long and short), Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix U25 (KBRSF article 421.1)
  • Compulsory elements of the Niveau 5 freestyle (Kür niveau 5, Paardensport Vlaanderen sheet, version 18-08-2022): collected walk (at least 20 m), extended walk (at least 20 m), shoulder-in right and left (at least 12 m), half-pass right and left in collected trot, extended trot, half-pass right and left in collected canter, extended canter, flying changes every fourth stride (at least 5 in a row), flying changes every third stride (at least 5 in a row), and canter half-pirouette right and left, which is Prix St-Georges and Intermediaire I level
  • KBRSF tour definitions: Small Tour (Kleine Tour) is Intermediaire I (or Prix St-Georges), Medium Tour (Midden Tour) is Intermediaire A, B or II, and Big Tour (Grote Tour) is Grand Prix
Gaits
Collected, medium and extended walk, trot and canter, Tempi changes (every fourth and every third stride at Small Tour, every second stride and every stride at Big Tour, per the FEI tests), Canter pirouettes, Piaffe and passage at Intermediaire II and Grand Prix, per the FEI tests
Eligibility
Horses must be at least 6 years old, and at least 7 years old for any test above Intermediaire I (KBRSF article 431.3.1). For the Niveau 5 freestyle the sheet sets a minimum horse age of 7 years. The freestyle is only open to combinations that scored 60% or more in the qualifying test of the same level at the same show. Qualification for international shows (CDI) requires 67% twice in the reference test within 9 months. A rider who has ridden Niveau 5 or Prix St-Georges or higher can never return to Initiatie tests.
Notes
The national tests page of Paardensport Vlaanderen lists 'Kür Niveau 4 + 5'. Above Niveau 4 the Belgian system uses FEI tests only.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 9 because the 'S proeven' use FEI tests from Prix St-Georges upward, and the compulsory elements of the Niveau 5 freestyle (canter half-pirouettes, changes every fourth and every third stride) are Prix St-Georges level. The higher FEI tests sit on the rungs above (Intermediaire I on 10, Intermediaire A and B on 11, Intermediaire II, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special on 12).

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Belgium – LEWB Wallonia-Brussels (Niveau ladder)

Official test index · 8 levels

Edition and verification notes

The current LEWB test sheets (reprises) are published in French and Dutch on the LEWB dressage page (https://www.lewb.be/documents/dressage/reprises). Most Initiation to Niveau 3 sheets are the edition of 12-03-24 (Dutch versions 15-02-24), N2.4 was re-edited on 01-04-26, Accueil is dated 12-03-26, and the Niveau 4 and Niveau 5 sheets date from 2017 to 2019. The tests are written by the LEWB's own Commission de Dressage Communautaire and are not KNHS tests. Their numbering differs from Paardensport Vlaanderen (LEWB uses .4, .5 and .6, PV uses .1, .2 and .3) and the two sets are not identical, although LEWB N1.4 and N2.4 follow PV N1.2 and N2.3 movement for movement (the Niveau 3 sheets were not compared). The rules are in the 'Règlement Particulier Concours de Dressage, Édition 2026' and the 'Règlement Spécial Challenges de Dressage 2026', and a buyer should know that moving up a level is on written request and that a handicap points balance of -10 obliges a pair to move down.

Accueil Rung 2 1 tests
Rungs covered
Accueil (rung 2: Introductory walk, trot and canter)
Arena
20 x 40 m
Movements
  • Entry in trot, halt and salute, then proceed in rising trot
  • Circle of 20 m right in sitting trot, working canter right, circle of 20 m right in rising trot
  • Working walk down the centre line
  • Circle of 20 m left in sitting trot, working canter left, circle of 20 m left in rising trot
  • Turn down the centre line, halt and salute, then leave in walk on a long rein
Gaits
Working walk, Working trot (rising and sitting), Working canter
Eligibility
Licence 02 or higher ('Classic Série' 02). The test sheet carries a note on para-dressage riders: harmony is judged according to the physical possibilities of the athlete.
Notes
Entry-level regional test, below Initiation. The rulebook table (art. 2000) lists Accueil with licence 02 in a 20 x 40 m arena.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 2 because the test asks only working walk, trot and canter with 20 m circles.

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Préparatoire (Préparatoire A, Préparatoire B, Reprise Préparatoire) Rung 2 3 tests
Rungs covered
Préparatoire A and B (rung 2: Introductory walk, trot and canter); Reprise Préparatoire (edition 2017) (rung 3: Preliminary or Training level (working gaits and lengthenings))
Arena
20 x 40 m
Movements
  • Préparatoire A: entry in rising trot, halt and salute, then rising trot on the right rein, 15 m circle right at A in sitting working trot, working canter right between H and C with a 20 m circle at B, rising working trot, working walk along A, K, B and M, 15 m circle left at C in sitting working trot, working canter left between K and A with a 20 m circle at B, change of rein from H to F in rising trot, down the centre line with halt and salute at X, then leaving in medium walk letting the reins slide
  • Préparatoire B: mirror image of Préparatoire A, starting on the left rein (15 m circle left at A, canter left between M and C, 20 m circles at E, working walk along A, F, E and H, 15 m circle right at C, canter right between F and A, change of rein from M to K in rising trot)
  • Reprise Préparatoire (edition 10/03/2017): entry in working trot with halt, immobility and salute at X, 10 m circles in working trot at B and E, medium walk with change of rein, change of rein from M over X to K in rising medium trot (trot moyen enlevé), halt at B with 4 seconds of immobility, working canter on both reins with a 20 m circle, down the centre line with halt and salute at G, then leaving in walk on a long rein
Gaits
Working walk, Medium walk (Reprise Préparatoire), Working trot (rising and sitting), Medium trot, rising (Reprise Préparatoire only), Working canter
Eligibility
Licence 02 or higher.
Notes
Regional entry level (listed as 'LEWB Régional'), below Initiation. The level overview (récapitulatif) lists Préparatoire with licence D02 in a 20 x 40 m arena. All three test sheets total 160 points. The Préparatoire A and B sheets print no edition date and no arena size.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 2 because Préparatoire A and B ask 15 m trot circles and working canter with a 20 m circle, with no lengthening. The older Reprise Préparatoire (edition 2017) adds 10 m trot circles and a diagonal in rising medium trot, which is rung 3 content.

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Initiation (Ini.4, Ini.5, Ini.6) Rung 3 7 tests
Rungs covered
Initiation tests Ini.4, Ini.5 and Ini.6 (rung 3: Preliminary or Training level (working gaits and lengthenings))
Arena
20 x 40 m
Movements
  • Entry in working trot without halt (Ini.4), in medium walk with halt and salute at X (Ini.5), or in working trot with a progressive transition to halt and salute (Ini.6)
  • Working trot with rising and sitting sections (Ini.5), 20 m circles and half circles
  • Working canter on both reins with a 20 m circle (all three tests)
  • Lengthened trot strides over at least 20 m and return to working trot (Ini.4, Ini.5), lengthened canter strides over at least 20 m and return to working canter (Ini.6)
  • Letting the reins slide and the neck stretch without losing contact, then retaking the reins, in medium walk (Ini.4, Ini.5) or on a 20 m half circle in working trot (Ini.6)
  • Broken line in trot (Ini.4), one-loop serpentine to the quarter line in trot (Ini.4, Ini.6)
  • Halt, half turn on the forehand, halt, then proceed in medium walk (Ini.6)
  • Progressive transition to halt and salute, then leaving in walk on a long rein
Gaits
Medium walk, Working trot (rising and sitting), Lengthened trot strides, Working canter, Lengthened canter strides (Ini.6)
Eligibility
Licence D02 or higher according to the level overview (récapitulatif), licence 02 or 03 according to art. 2000. Horses aged 4 may compete up to Niveau 1 only, and only one test per day. Scoring uses 4 collective marks (position and seat, coefficient 1; effectiveness of the aids, coefficient 2; precision, coefficient 1; general impression, coefficient 2). Errors of course cost 0.5%, then 1%, then elimination.
Notes
Handicap points grid (art. 2007.1): a score of 73% or more gives +3 points, 69 to 72.99% gives +2, 65 to 68.99% gives +1, 60 to 64.99% gives 0 and below 60% gives -1. A balance of -10 points obliges the pair to move down a level, and moving back up requires 3 scores of 62% or more. Under art. 2007.7 (2026) the rules on minimum points to move up and on compulsory promotion at a maximum number of points are currently not applied. Moving up is on written request and is not possible with a negative balance.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 3 because the tests ask lengthened trot strides over at least 20 m (lengthened canter strides in Ini.6), stretching, 20 m circles, a one-loop serpentine and working canter.

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Niveau 1 (N1.4, N1.5, N1.6) Rung 4 7 tests
Rungs covered
Niveau 1 tests N1.4, N1.5 and N1.6 (rung 4: Novice or First level (leg-yield, medium gaits, rein-back))
Arena
20 x 40 m
Movements
  • Entry in working trot, halt and salute
  • Voltes of 10 m in working trot (N1.4), voltes of 10 m on the centre line with release of the inside rein (überstreichen) (N1.6), half-voltes of 10 m left and right in trot (N1.5)
  • Medium trot on the diagonal with transitions (rising in N1.4)
  • Three-loop serpentine in working trot (N1.5)
  • Halt, half turn on the forehand, halt (N1.5)
  • Leg-yield (cession à la jambe) in working trot, from the track to the quarter line and back (N1.5) or from the quarter line to the track (N1.6), none in N1.4
  • Halt and rein-back of one horse length (all three tests)
  • Circle of 20 m in working canter with release of the reins (N1.4, for 2 to 3 strides in N1.5)
  • Medium canter with transitions to working canter
  • Transition from canter to medium walk on the diagonal (N1.4, N1.6)
  • Half 20 m circle in medium walk letting the reins slide and the neck stretch (N1.6)
  • Change of rein in medium walk
Gaits
Medium walk, Working trot, Medium trot, Working canter, Medium canter
Eligibility
Licence D03 or higher according to the level overview (récapitulatif), licence 03 or higher according to art. 2000. Horses aged 4 may compete up to Niveau 1. The handicap points system described under Initiation applies.
Notes
N1.4 has no leg-yield. It asks 10 m voltes, rising medium trot, rein-back, release of the reins on the canter circle, medium canter and a canter to walk transition. Its movement sequence matches Paardensport Vlaanderen test N1.2 (Editie 01-03-2024) except for the rein-back wording ('une longueur de cheval' in the LEWB sheet against '3-5 passen' in the PV sheet). The Elite Cup freestyle (kür) at Niveau 1 is ridden in a 20 x 40 m arena.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 4 because the tests ask leg-yield, medium trot and canter, rein-back of one horse length, 10 m half-voltes and the turn on the forehand.

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Niveau 2 (N2.4, N2.5, N2.6) Rung 5 7 tests
Rungs covered
Niveau 2 tests N2.4, N2.5 and N2.6 (rung 5: Elementary or Second level (shoulder-in, collection begins, simple changes))
Arena
20 x 40 m or 20 x 60 m for N2.4, 20 x 40 m for N2.5, 20 x 60 m for N2.6
Movements
  • Entry in collected trot (N2.4) or working trot (N2.5, N2.6), halt and salute
  • Shoulder-in on both reins (N2.5, N2.6)
  • Voltes of 8 m in collected trot (N2.4, N2.6), voltes of 10 m in collected canter (N2.6)
  • Four-loop serpentine in trot (N2.5)
  • Medium trot with transitions from collected to medium and back to collected
  • Halt and rein-back of one horse length (N2.4, where it is followed directly by collected canter; N2.5)
  • Walk half-turn on the haunches (Kurzkehrt) from medium walk, on both reins
  • Half-volte of 8 m (demi-volte) in collected canter without change of lead, followed by counter-canter on the long side, on both reins (N2.4)
  • Counter-canter, with a change of rein without change of lead and half 20 m circles in counter-canter (N2.5, N2.6)
  • Simple changes (changement de pied de ferme à ferme), including a three-loop serpentine with simple changes at the centre-line crossings (N2.4) and a simple change from counter-canter to counter-canter at X (N2.5)
  • Medium canter with transitions, and release of the reins (überstreichen) for 2 to 3 strides in medium canter (N2.5, N2.6)
Gaits
Medium walk, Working trot, Collected trot, Medium trot, Collected canter, Medium canter, Counter-canter
Eligibility
Licence D03 or higher (03 or higher under art. 2000). The handicap points system described under Initiation applies. The Elite Cup freestyle (kür) at Niveaus 2 and 3 is ridden in a 20 x 60 m arena.
Notes
In N2.4 (edition 01-04-26) movements 11 and 14 are an 8 m half-volte without change of lead ('Demi-volte (8m) sans changement de pied', in Dutch 'Keertvolte (8m) zonder galopwissel') followed by counter-canter and a simple change. There is no half-pirouette in this test. N2.4 follows the movement sequence of Paardensport Vlaanderen test N2.3 (Editie 01-03-2024). N2.4 has no shoulder-in and N2.6 has no rein-back. Simple changes and counter-canter are the defining elements of this level.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 5 because the tests ask shoulder-in, 8 m voltes in collected trot, rein-back, the walk half-turn on the haunches (Kurzkehrt), counter-canter and simple changes.

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Niveau 3 (N3.5, N3.6, N3.7, N3.8; ponies N3P.5–N3P.8) Rung 7 14 tests
Rungs covered
Niveau 3 tests N3.5 to N3.8 (ponies N3P.5 to N3P.8) (rung 7: Medium or Third level (single flying changes))
Arena
20 x 40 m or 20 x 60 m for N3.5, N3P.5, N3.8 and N3P.8, 20 x 60 m for N3.6, N3P.6, N3.7 and N3P.7
Movements
  • Entry in collected canter (N3.5 to N3.7) or collected trot (N3.8), halt and salute
  • Shoulder-in on both reins
  • Travers (N3.6)
  • Half-pass in trot in both directions (all four tests)
  • Voltes of 8 m in collected trot, half-voltes of 10 m
  • Three-loop serpentine (5 m) in collected trot (N3.5)
  • Medium and extended trot with transitions
  • Halt and rein-back of 5 steps (N3.5, N3.8)
  • Medium and extended walk, and walk with the reins released (N3.8)
  • Walk half-turn on the haunches (Kurzkehrt) on both reins (N3.6, N3.7, N3.8)
  • Collected, medium and extended canter with transitions, 10 m canter voltes, counter-canter
  • Single flying changes, in a four-loop serpentine with flying changes on the centre line (N3.6), as 3 flying changes across the diagonal (N3.7), and as flying changes described on the sheet as 'de ferme à ferme' (N3.8)
  • Half-pass in canter (N3.7), half-volte with haunches-in in canter (N3.7)
  • Pony tests N3P.5 to N3P.8 are pony versions of these tests ('Les reprises N3P.x sont des reprises pour poneys'), with the flying changes replaced by simple changes (level overview)
Gaits
Medium walk, Extended walk, Collected trot, Medium trot, Extended trot, Collected canter, Medium canter, Extended canter, Counter-canter
Eligibility
Licence D03 or higher (03 or higher under art. 2000). The rulebook (art. 2000) lists a 20 x 60 m arena for Niveau 3, while the test sheets allow 20 x 40 m for N3.5 and N3.8. At Niveau 3 a pony pair must ride the pony-specific test or lose pony status permanently (art. 2002.2). The handicap points system described under Initiation applies.
Notes
In N3.8, movements 5 and 13 are walk half-turns on the haunches ('Kurzkehrt à droite/gauche'), not canter pirouettes. There are no tempi changes at Niveau 3. This is the highest regional (communautaire) level.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 7 because the tests ask trot half-pass, travers (N3.6), extended gaits, the walk half-turn on the haunches, rein-back of 5 steps, single flying changes in a serpentine or across the diagonal, and canter half-pass (N3.7). It sits at the upper end of the rung.

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Niveau 4 (N4.1, N4.2, N4.3) Rung 8 4 tests
Rungs covered
Niveau 4 tests N4.1 and N4.2 (rung 7: Medium or Third level (single flying changes)); Niveau 4 test N4.3 (rung 8: Advanced Medium or FEI Junior level (canter half-passes, several changes, walk half-pirouettes))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • N4.1 (the sheet titled 'Reprise N3.6' dated 10/03/2017, used as the Niveau 4 entry test): shoulder-in, 8 m circles, travers, half-pass in trot on both reins, medium trot, medium and extended walk, walk half-turn on the haunches (Kurzkehrt) on both reins, four-loop serpentine with a flying change at each centre-line crossing, extended canter, counter-canter, extended trot
  • N4.2 (Reprise 4.2, 14-11-19): shoulder-in on both reins, 10 m half-voltes, half circle in working trot letting the reins slide, half-pass left and right from the quarter line, extended trot, halt and rein-back of 5 steps, medium and extended walk, 8 m canter voltes, single flying changes, medium canter
  • N4.3 (Reprise 4.3, 14-12-18): medium and extended trot, zigzag half-pass in trot with 3 half-passes either side of the centre line ('3 appuyers de part et d'autre de la ligne médiane', 5-10-5 m), extended walk, collected walk, walk half-pirouettes left and right, 8 m canter voltes and half-pass in canter, single flying changes, extended canter, 3 flying changes across the diagonal
Gaits
Medium walk, Extended walk, Collected walk, Collected trot, Medium trot, Extended trot, Collected canter, Medium canter, Extended canter, Counter-canter
Eligibility
Licence D04 or higher (04 or higher under art. 2000). Horses aged 5 may compete up to Niveau 4 (art. 2002.1). At national level (KBRSF) horses must be at least 6 years old for a CDN. There are separate Niveau 4 challenges for licence 04 and for licence 06 and above. N4.1 may only be ridden in combination with N4.2 or N4.3 (KBRSF art. 421.1).
Notes
Same content as the KBRSF national Niveau 4 tests published in Dutch by Paardensport Vlaanderen (N4.2 corresponds to PV N3.9/N4.2 and N4.3 to PV N3.10/N4.3).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 8 because N4.3 asks a trot zigzag, walk half-pirouettes, canter half-pass and 3 flying changes, while N4.1 and N4.2 are rung 7 content. The level therefore straddles rungs 7 and 8, using the same national tests as Paardensport Vlaanderen.

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Niveau 5 (S3, S4) – St-Georges/Inter I level, plus FEI reprises Rung 9 content not verified from official source 7 tests
Rungs covered
Niveau 5 tests S3 and S4, FEI Prix St-Georges (rung 9: Small Tour entry, Prix St. Georges or Young Riders (canter half-pirouettes, changes every fourth and third stride)); FEI Intermédiaire I (rung 10: Intermediate I (full pirouettes, changes every third and second stride, canter zigzag)); FEI Intermédiaire A and B (rung 11: Medium Tour, Intermediate A and B (first piaffe and passage, one-tempi changes)); FEI Intermédiaire II, Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special (rung 12: Big Tour: Intermediate II, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special)
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • S3 (04/06/2018): shoulder-in on both reins, 8 m voltes, half-pass in trot on both reins, extended trot, medium, extended and collected walk, walk half-pirouettes on both reins, half-pass in canter with flying change, extended canter, canter half-pirouettes (demi-pirouette) on both reins with flying changes, 3 flying changes every fourth stride, release of the reins (überstreichen), 3 flying changes every third stride
  • S4 (2017): shoulder-in, 6 m voltes, half-pass in trot, extended trot, extended and collected walk, walk half-pirouettes, half-pass in canter with flying changes, canter half-pirouettes on both reins, extended canter, 3 four-tempi changes and 3 three-tempi changes on the diagonal
  • FEI senior tests used at this level and above (the Coupe de Wallonie runs Prix St-Georges and the Intermédiaire I freestyle): Prix St-Georges, Intermédiaire I, Intermédiaire A, Intermédiaire B, Intermédiaire II, Grand Prix Short, Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix U25
Gaits
Collected, medium and extended walk, trot and canter, Tempi changes every fourth and every third stride, Canter half-pirouettes, Piaffe and passage (only in the FEI Intermédiaire II and Grand Prix tests)
Eligibility
Licence D04 or higher (04 or higher). The Coupe de Wallonie is open to licence 06 or 08. Horses aged 6 may compete up to Niveau 5 (art. 2002.1). The KBRSF requires horses to be at least 7 years old above Intermédiaire I. Pairs with 3 or more scores of 70% or higher at Niveau 5 in the two preceding years are barred from 'Classic Série' competitions the following season (art. 2002.13.3).
Notes
The S3 and S4 sheets are headed 'Commission de Dressage Communautaire' and carry LEWB copyright (S3 'Copyright ©2018 Ligue Equestre Wallonie Bruxelles', S4 'L.E.W.B. Asbl 2017'), with no attribution to another federation. Whether they were written by the LEWB or translated or derived from another federation's tests is not verified from an official source. Above Niveau 5 only FEI tests are used.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 9 because S3 and S4 ask canter half-pirouettes, 3 four-tempi and 3 three-tempi changes, canter half-pass with flying change and walk half-pirouettes. The FEI tests ridden at this level and above are placed on the rung of their FEI level.

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Belgium – LRV (B/L/M/Z/ZZ)

Official test index · 5 levels

Edition and verification notes

The current tests are those for individual dressage for horses in the 2025-2026 season, published as PDFs on https://lrv.be/diensten/wedstrijden/dressuurproeven with LRV's own test (proef) numbers and validity dates in the header. B1 Proef 18, B2 Proef 20 and L1 Proef 23 run from 06/10/2025 until after the Nationaal Ruitertornooi (NRT, the national championship in early October), while L2, M1, M2, Z1, Z2 and ZZ each have a first test valid until 01/08/2026 and a replacement test from 01/08/2026 or 02/08/2026 that is ridden once published on lrv.be. The classes are B1, B2, L1, L2, M1, M2, Z1, Z2 and ZZ (Wedstrijdreglement edition 01/04/2024, art. 3.4.1), and ponies use size prefixes such as CL2 or DL2. Promotion follows the points range (puntenreeks) in art. 3.4.2: moving up is allowed from 10 punten (points) below the next class's lower limit (at 15, 40, 65, 90, 115 and 140 punten) and is compulsory after the summer season at 45, 70, 95, 120, 145 and 170 punten, while Z1 to Z2 and Z2 to ZZ are free at any time and compulsory at 220 and 275. No sheet prints a KNHS or Paardensport Vlaanderen attribution, and art. 3.4.1 states that the tests are set each year by LRV's Nationaal Bestuur and Nationale Ponycommissie.

B (Beginnelingen) - sub-levels B1, B2 Rung 3 2 tests
Rungs covered
B (Beginnelingen) tests B1 and B2 (rung 3: Preliminary or Training level (working gaits and lengthenings))
Arena
20 x 40 m
Movements
  • Working walk (arbeidsstap), working trot (arbeidsdraf) and working canter (arbeidsgalop) with transitions
  • Circle of 20 m (grote volte) in trot and canter, half 20 m circle (B1)
  • Shallow loop of 5 m (gebroken lijn) in trot
  • A few steps of lengthened trot (enkele passen de draf verruimen) on the diagonal, showing a difference from working trot (B1 and B2), a few steps of lengthened walk (B1)
  • Stretching the neck (hals laten strekken) on a 20 m circle in trot, then retaking the reins (teugels op maat maken)
  • Change of rein on the diagonal or across the arena
  • Canter strike-off (arbeidsgalop aanspringen) on or near the 20 m circle, canter to trot transitions
  • Halt and salute between X and G
Gaits
Working walk (arbeidsstap), Working trot (arbeidsdraf), Working canter (arbeidsgalop), A few lengthened steps (enkele passen verruimen) in trot (B1 and B2) and in walk (B1)
Eligibility
Entry level. A pair with no dressage results whose rider's highest class is B1 to L1 is placed automatically in Beginnelingen 1 (Wedstrijdreglement 01/04/2024, art. 3.4.1). Points range (puntenreeks, art. 3.4.2): B1 covers 0-44 punten (points), and the move to B2 is allowed from 15 and compulsory at 45. B2 covers 25-69, and the move to L1 is allowed from 40 and compulsory at 70. A pair that moves up starts at the lower limit of the new class (for example B2 at 25 punten). Spurs and/or one dressage whip of at most 120 cm are allowed in B1 to L2 (art. 1.5.1.2.2).
Notes
B1 (Proef 18) and B2 (Proef 20) contain no leg-yield, no rein-back and no voltes smaller than 20 m. Both ask a few steps of lengthened trot ('enkele passen de draf verruimen'). The words 'uitgestrekte draf' (extended trot) do not occur in either test. B1 also asks a few steps of lengthened walk ('enkele passen de stap verruimen'). The trot is ridden rising (lichtrijden). Collective marks: paces (gangen), impulsion (impuls), straightness, relaxation and contact (het rechtgerichte, ontspannen, in contact en verbinding gaande paard), harmony (harmonie), rider's position and seat (houding en zit van de ruiter) and overall presentation (verzorging van het geheel).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 3 because the tests ask working gaits, 20 m circles, a 5 m shallow loop, a few lengthened strides in trot (and in walk in B1) and stretching on a circle, with no leg-yield and no rein-back. It sits at the lower end of the rung.

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L (Licht) - sub-levels L1, L2 Rung 4 3 tests
Rungs covered
L (Licht) tests L1 and L2 (rung 4: Novice or First level (leg-yield, medium gaits, rein-back))
Arena
20 x 40 m
Movements
  • Leg-yield (wijken voor het been) in trot, in L1 from the centre line after A over at least 5 m towards the track between B and M or between E and H, in L2 from D to M and from D to H over 10 m (Proef 26) or from K to G and from F to G (Proef 27)
  • Volte of 10 to 12 m in trot at X, left then right (L1), volte of 12 to 15 m in canter (L2)
  • L1: a few lengthened steps (enkele passen verruimen) in trot and walk, a few lengthened strides (enkele sprongen verruimen) in canter
  • L2: medium trot (middendraf) on the diagonal (a few steps of medium trot in Proef 27), medium walk (middenstap), a few strides of medium canter (middengalop)
  • L2: halt (halthouden), a few steps of rein-back (enkele passen achterwaarts), then forward in working trot
  • Change of rein through an S (door een S van hand veranderen) (L2), three-loop serpentine (slangenvolte met 3 bogen) (L2 Proef 27), half-volte (halve volte halve baan)
  • Stretching the neck (hals laten strekken) on a 20 m circle or half circle or along the track, then retaking the reins (teugels op maat maken)
  • Change of canter lead through trot (transition to working trot on the diagonal, strike-off on the new lead)
  • Halt and salute between X and G
Gaits
Working walk (arbeidsstap), Medium walk (middenstap, L2), Working trot (arbeidsdraf), Medium trot (middendraf, L2), Working canter (arbeidsgalop), A few strides of medium canter (middengalop, L2), A few lengthened steps or strides (enkele passen of sprongen verruimen) in walk, trot and canter (L1)
Eligibility
Points range (puntenreeks, Wedstrijdreglement 01/04/2024, art. 3.4.2): L1 covers 50-94 punten (points), and the move to L2 is allowed from 65 and compulsory at 95. L2 covers 75-119, and the move to M1 is allowed from 90 and compulsory at 120. The level is reached from B2 (allowed from 40, compulsory at 70 punten). A new pair whose rider's highest class is L2 to Z2 and whose horse has no dressage results is placed automatically in Licht 1, at the L1 lower limit of 50 punten (art. 3.4.1), or on request higher (up to the rider's highest class) or lower (at least B2). Spurs and/or one dressage whip of at most 120 cm are allowed in B1 to L2 (art. 1.5.1.2.2). A snaffle bridle is compulsory up to M2 (art. 1.5.2.2).
Notes
L1 (Proef 23) contains leg-yield in trot ('wijken voor het linkerbeen / rechterbeen') but no rein-back, no medium gaits, no shoulder-in and no simple change. L2 (Proef 26 and Proef 27) contains leg-yield, rein-back ('enkele passen achterwaarts'), medium trot, medium walk and a few strides of medium canter, but no shoulder-in, no simple change and no counter-canter. The trot may be ridden rising or sitting (lichtrijden en/of doorzitten). Collective marks: paces (gangen), impulsion (impuls), straightness, relaxation and contact (het rechtgerichte, ontspannen, in aanleuning gaande paard), harmony (harmonie) and rider's position and seat (houding en zit van de ruiter).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 4 because L1 already asks leg-yield in trot, 10 to 12 m voltes and lengthening in all gaits, and L2 adds rein-back and medium walk, trot and canter. The canter lead is changed through trot and there is no shoulder-in and no counter-canter, so both sit on rung 4 (L1 at the lower end, L2 in the middle).

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M (Midden) - sub-levels M1, M2 Rung 5 4 tests
Rungs covered
M (Midden) tests M1 and M2 (rung 5: Elementary or Second level (shoulder-in, collection begins, simple changes))
Arena
20 x 40 m
Movements
  • Shoulder-in (schouderbinnenwaarts) in trot, in M1 and in M2 Proef 34
  • Travers in trot from F to M and from K to H, in M2 Proef 37 (from 01/08/2026)
  • Halt (halthouden) and rein-back, 3 to 5 steps ('3 tot 5 passen achterwaarts') in M1 and 4 steps ('4 passen achterwaarts') in M2
  • Counter-canter (contragalop), in M1 on a shallow loop of 8 to 10 m (Proef 31) or a half 20 m circle in counter-canter (Proef 32), in M2 a change of rein continuing in counter-canter (Proef 34) or a three-loop serpentine with the second loop in counter-canter (Proef 37)
  • Medium trot (middendraf) in M1, extended trot (uitgestrekte draf) on the diagonal in M2
  • Medium canter (middengalop) on the long side (M1 and M2)
  • Medium walk (middenstap) in M1, extended walk (uitgestrekte stap) in M2
  • Quarter turn on the haunches (kwartwending om de achterhand) right and left (M2 Proef 34), half turn on the haunches (keertwending om de achterhand) (M2 Proef 37)
  • Volte of 10 m in trot (M1 Proef 31), change of rein through an S (door een S van hand veranderen), half-volte (halve volte halve baan)
  • Stretching the neck (hals laten strekken) on a half 20 m circle or on the diagonal, then retaking the reins (teugels op maat maken)
  • Change of canter lead through trot
Gaits
Working walk (arbeidsstap), Medium walk (middenstap, M1), Extended walk (uitgestrekte stap, M2), Working trot (arbeidsdraf), Medium trot (middendraf, M1), Extended trot (uitgestrekte draf, M2), Working canter (arbeidsgalop), Medium canter (middengalop), Counter-canter (contragalop)
Eligibility
Points range (puntenreeks, Wedstrijdreglement 01/04/2024, art. 3.4.2): M1 covers 100-144 punten (points), and the move to M2 is allowed from 115 and compulsory at 145. M2 covers 125-169, and the move to Z1 is allowed from 140 and compulsory at 170. The level is reached from L2 (allowed from 90, compulsory at 120 punten). In M1 to ZZ spurs are optional and the dressage whip is not allowed (art. 1.5.1.2.2). A snaffle bridle is compulsory up to M2 (art. 1.5.2.2).
Notes
Rein-back is present in every M test (3 to 5 steps in M1, 4 steps in M2). Travers appears only in M2 Proef 37 (from 01/08/2026), while M1 and M2 Proef 34 have no travers. No M test asks a simple change, a flying change, a half-pass or collected gaits, and the canter lead is changed through trot. The trot is ridden sitting (doorzitten), with rising optional in medium and extended trot and when stretching. M2 is the last level ridden in a 20 x 40 m arena, and Z1 moves to 20 x 60 m.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 5 because M1 asks shoulder-in, counter-canter, rein-back of 3 to 5 steps, medium walk, trot and canter and a 10 m volte, and M2 adds extended trot and walk, rein-back of 4 steps, the quarter and half turn on the haunches and, in the test from 01/08/2026, travers. The gaits are working rather than collected, the lead is changed through trot, and there is no simple change and no half-pass.

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Z (Zwaar) - sub-levels Z1, Z2 Rung 7 7 tests
Rungs covered
Z1 (rung 6: Medium without flying changes, or FEI Pony level (trot half-pass, extended gaits)); Z2 (rung 7: Medium or Third level (single flying changes))
Arena
20 x 60 m for Proef 40, 41, 43 and 45, with separate indoor 20 x 40 m versions published for Z1 and Z2
Movements
  • Shoulder-in (schouderbinnenwaarts), in Z1 Proef 41 and the Z1 indoor test, and in every Z2 test
  • Travers, in Z1 (Proef 40, Proef 41 and the indoor test) and in Z2 Proef 43 and Proef 45
  • Half-pass in trot (appuyeren in draf), in Z1, in Z2 Proef 43 from K to X and from X to H, and in the Z2 indoor test
  • Zigzag half-pass in trot with 3 half-passes of 5, 10 and 5 m, in Z2 Proef 45 only
  • Half-pass in canter (appuyeren in galop), Z2 only: from F to X and from K to X in Proef 43, in both directions each followed by a half 20 m circle in counter-canter and a flying change in Proef 45, and in the indoor test
  • Single flying changes (vliegende galopwisseling), Z2 only: 4 in Proef 43, 4 in Proef 45 and 3 in the indoor test. Z1 has no flying changes
  • Simple change (eenvoudige galopwisseling) through 3 to 5 walk steps in Z1, and from counter-canter to counter-canter at X in Z2 Proef 43
  • Counter-canter (contragalop), in Z1, in Z2 Proef 43 as a four-loop serpentine with the second and third loops in counter-canter, in Proef 45 on half 20 m circles after the canter half-passes, and in the Z2 indoor test
  • Half turn on the haunches (keertwending om de achterhand) in walk, in Z1 and in every Z2 test, right and left in Proef 43 and Proef 45
  • Halt and rein-back (passen achterwaarts): 4 steps in Z1 Proef 40 and Z2 Proef 43, 5 steps in Z1 Proef 41, Z2 Proef 45 and the Z2 indoor test
  • Volte of 10 m in trot and in canter, in Z1
  • Medium canter (middengalop) and extended canter (uitgestrekte galop), in Z1 and Z2 Proef 45
  • Extended trot (uitgestrekte draf) and extended walk (uitgestrekte stap), in Z1
  • Stretching the neck (hals laten strekken), in Z1 and in Z2 Proef 43
  • Not in any Z test: renvers, canter pirouette and tempi changes
Gaits
Collected walk (verzamelde stap), Extended walk (uitgestrekte stap), Collected trot (verzamelde draf), Medium trot (middendraf, indoor tests), Extended trot (uitgestrekte draf), Collected canter (verzamelde galop), Medium canter (middengalop), Extended canter (uitgestrekte galop), Counter-canter (contragalop)
Eligibility
Points range (puntenreeks, Wedstrijdreglement 01/04/2024, art. 3.4.2): Z1 covers 150-219 punten (points), Z2 from 200. The level is reached from M2 (allowed from 140, compulsory at 170 punten). The moves from Z1 to Z2 and from Z2 to ZZ are the rider's free choice at any time ('vrije overgang') and become compulsory at 220 and 275 punten respectively. In Z1, Z2 and ZZ a double bridle (stang en trens) is allowed (art. 1.5.2.2). Spurs are optional and the dressage whip is not allowed (art. 1.5.1.2.2).
Notes
Flying changes first appear in Z2, while Z1 has only simple changes. The outdoor sheets carry LRV test (proef) numbers 40, 41, 43 and 45. The indoor sheets are titled 'Individuele dressuur Z1/Z2 (20x40)' and print no proef number or date. No sheet prints a source attribution. The Wedstrijdreglement (art. 3.4.1) states that the tests to be ridden are set each year by the Nationaal Bestuur and the Nationale Ponycommissie. The maximum score is 300 punten.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 7 because Z2 asks canter half-pass in both directions, single flying changes and half turns on the haunches, and the test from 02/08/2026 adds a three-part trot zigzag, a rung 8 element, which puts Z2 at the upper end of rung 7. Z1 asks travers, shoulder-in, trot half-pass, rein-back of 4 to 5 steps, simple changes, counter-canter, the half turn on the haunches and collected and extended gaits without flying changes, which is rung 6 content, so the level straddles rungs 6 and 7.

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ZZ Rung 9 3 tests
Rungs covered
ZZ (rung 9: Small Tour entry, Prix St. Georges or Young Riders (canter half-pirouettes, changes every fourth and third stride))
Arena
20 x 60 m for Proef 52 and Proef 49, with a separate indoor 20 x 40 m version published
Movements
  • Shoulder-in (schouderbinnenwaarts) left and right
  • Half-pass in trot (appuyeren in draf)
  • Half-pass in canter (appuyeren in galop) in Proef 52 and the indoor test, not in Proef 49
  • Half working pirouette in canter (halve arbeidspirouette) right and left on the diagonal, continuing in counter-canter
  • Single flying changes (vliegende galopwisselingen), 7 in Proef 52, 6 in Proef 49 and 4 in the indoor test, including two on one diagonal ('tussen H en X' and 'tussen X en F')
  • Counter-canter (contragalop)
  • Half turn on the haunches (keertwending om de achterhand) in walk, right only in Proef 52, both directions in Proef 49 and the indoor test
  • Volte of 8 m in collected trot (Proef 52), volte of 10 m (Proef 49)
  • Collected and extended walk, trot and canter
  • Indoor 20 x 40 m test only: travers and rein-back of 5 steps (5 passen achterwaarts)
  • Not in Proef 52 or Proef 49: travers, renvers, rein-back and trot zigzag, and no tempi changes (series) in any ZZ test
Gaits
Collected walk (verzamelde stap), Extended walk (uitgestrekte stap), Collected trot (verzamelde draf), Medium trot (middendraf, indoor test), Extended trot (uitgestrekte draf), Collected canter (verzamelde galop), Medium canter (middengalop, indoor test), Extended canter (uitgestrekte galop), Counter-canter (contragalop)
Eligibility
Highest LRV class (klasse). The move from Z2 to ZZ is the rider's free choice at any time and becomes compulsory at 275 punten (points) (Wedstrijdreglement 01/04/2024, art. 3.4.2). LRV has no split into ZZ-Licht and ZZ-Zwaar, only a single ZZ class (art. 3.4.1 table and the tests page). A double bridle (stang en trens) is allowed (art. 1.5.2.2). Spurs are optional and the dressage whip is not allowed (art. 1.5.1.2.2).
Notes
Half working pirouettes in canter ('halve arbeidspirouette') and single flying changes are the defining movements of Proef 52, Proef 49 and the indoor 20 x 40 m test, and none of them asks tempi changes. Proef 49 has no canter half-pass, and the indoor test adds travers and rein-back. The sheets print no source attribution. The level is roughly comparable to KNHS ZZ-Licht or FEI Prix St-Georges, but this comparison is an inference and not an LRV statement.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 9 because the tests ask half working pirouettes in canter left and right, several single flying changes including two on one diagonal, trot half-pass, canter half-pass (Proef 52 and indoor) and collected and extended gaits, but no tempi series. It sits at the lower edge of the rung, with the pirouette present and tempi changes absent.

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Netherlands – KNHS

Official test index · 13 levels

Edition and verification notes

The current KNHS dressage tests (dressuurproeven) are the 2022 edition, in force since 1 April 2022, with four numbered tests per class from B (tests 18 to 21) to ZZ-Zwaar (tests 50 to 53). The official sheets are published on the Mijn KNHS platform at https://www.mijnknhs.nl/uploads/Proeven/<nr>.pdf and in the KNHS Dressuurproeven app, and no test is compulsory (the KNHS only publishes an advisory monthly schedule). Classes B to M2 are ridden in a 20 x 40 m arena and Z1 and above in a 20 x 60 m arena. Riders collect winstpunten (promotion points) per start (3 points for an average score of 70% or more, 2 for 65 to 70% and 1 for 60 to 65%), promotion is allowed at 10 winstpunten and is mandatory at 30 in the classes B to M2 and from ZZ-Zwaar to Prix St. Georges, and it is never mandatory in Z1, Z2 and ZZ-Licht (Disciplinereglement Dressuur 2026, art. 106 to 108 and 120).

Bixie&Friends (children 4-12 on ponies) Not on the ladder 9 tests
Arena
20 x 40 m, printed on every sheet BF1 to BF8 (Rijbaan: 20x40 meter). Poles, a gate (poortje) and a slalom are set up in the arena according to the layout drawing (bouwtekening).
Movements
  • BF1 and BF2: enter in working trot (arbeidsdraf), rising trot throughout, walk to trot and trot to walk transitions between letters, change of rein across the diagonal between the poles (tussen de balken door), turn across the arena through the gate (poortje), slalom along the long side in walk (BF1) or trot (BF2), 20 m circle (grote volte) in trot (BF2), halt and salute between X and G, reward the pony
  • BF3 and BF4: add a shallow loop (gebroken lijn) between the poles, in walk in BF3 and in trot in BF4, 20 m circle in trot at A and C, halt of 2 to 4 counts between B and E
  • BF5: change of rein with change of rising diagonal (van been wisselen), 20 m circle in walk and in trot rising on the outside foreleg, halt of 2 to 4 counts on the diagonal, still no canter
  • BF6: enter in working walk (arbeidsstap), letting the reins get longer in walk and retaking them (teugels op maat maken), strike-off in working canter (arbeidsgalop) on the short side (may be from sitting trot), back to trot on the next short side, half 20 m circle in trot
  • BF7: half 20 m circles right and left through X, half-turn (linksomkeert or rechtsomkeert) through the gate, strike-off in working canter on the short side, 20 m circle in trot with at least 5 steps of sitting trot twice, reins longer in walk
  • BF8: serpentine of 3 loops (slangenvolte) in trot, change of rein through an S in walk (two half circles), reins longer on a 20 m circle in walk, working canter left and right, each with a 20 m circle C-X-C
Gaits
Working walk (arbeidsstap), Working trot (arbeidsdraf), rising trot (lichtrijden), with short sitting-trot passages from BF7, Working canter (arbeidsgalop), BF6 to BF8 only
Eligibility
Children from their 4th birthday up to and including the year they turn 12, on their own pony or a riding-school pony. The rider must be a KNHS member with a Bixie&Friends rider passport (Ruiterpaspoort), and the pony must have a passport and be vaccinated. Children enter at their own level (op hun eigen niveau). Riders aged 4 or 5 must have the pony on a lead with a handler aged 18 or over, and of the dressage tests they may ride only BF1 and BF2.
Notes
This is not a KNHS promotion class. There are eight dressage tests, BF1 to BF8, each lasting 5 minutes. Every exercise is scored with 1 point per criterion met, the four criteria being position (houding), aids (hulpen), tempo and exercises and figures (oefeningen en figuren). The KNHS page points to Mijn KNHS (login required) and the printed Bixie&Friends Proevenboek, but the test sheets are publicly reachable at https://www.mijnknhs.nl/uploads/Proeven/BF1.pdf to BF8.pdf. The sheets print no edition year.
Why this rung
Not placed on a rung. BF1 to BF5 are walk and trot only (rung 1 content), while BF6 to BF8 add a working canter strike-off and BF8 a 20 m circle in canter on both reins (rung 2 content). These are rider-skill tests for children with poles, a gate and a slalom, scored 1 point per criterion met instead of marks from 0 to 10, so they are not ranked.

Tests and sources

Impuls / klasse BB (below B) Rung 2 3 tests
Rungs covered
BB and Impuls (no points registered) (rung 2: Introductory walk, trot and canter)
Arena
Klasse BB: 20 x 40 m, printed on tests 16 and 17. Impuls classes (Impulsrubrieken): no arena size is given in article 145 or on the F-test sheets. The F1 to F5 sheets use only the 20 x 40 letters (A, K, E, H, C, M, B, F, D, X and G).
Movements
  • Klasse BB (tests 16 and 17, rising trot throughout): enter in working trot (arbeidsdraf) on the centre line
  • Turns across the arena (afwenden) at E and B and changes of rein across the diagonal in trot
  • 20 m circle (grote volte) in trot at A or C and at B or E
  • Working canter (arbeidsgalop) strike-off between letters on the circle, 20 m circle in canter on both reins, back to working trot between letters
  • Transitions between working trot and working walk (arbeidsstap) between letters, half 20 m circle (test 16) or change of rein (test 17) in walk
  • Turn down the centre line, halt and salute (the only halt is at the end)
Gaits
Working walk (arbeidsstap), Working trot (arbeidsdraf), rising trot (lichtrijden), Working canter (arbeidsgalop)
Eligibility
KNHS membership is required, but no competition licence (startpas) is needed. Klasse BB is not a promotion class and no winstpunten (promotion points) are registered, although a ranking is made and there are prizes. Riders who by their personal standing may no longer start in klasse B may not start in BB either, except hors concours (Disciplinereglement art. 104.6). In Impuls classes (art. 145) no performance points are registered and there is no obligation to promote. Riders already classified in the regular classes may take part. No competition dress is required, but a safety helmet and boots are mandatory.
Notes
Klasse BB has its own KNHS tests, tests 16 and 17 (proef 16 and 17, 2022 edition), with 30 marks and a total of 300 points. The collective marks include contact and connection (contact en verbinding) and riding skill and harmony (rijvaardigheid en harmonie). Impuls (art. 145) may be ridden as klasse BB, as F-tests or in other forms, and the organiser sets the level. F-tests (F-proeven) are the KNHS rider-training tests ridden at riding schools and test days. F1 to F5 each have versions A and B (April 2022) and C and D (April 2025, about 5 minutes, F1 and F2 now start in trot): https://www.knhs.nl/nieuws/meer-variatie-met-extra-knhs-f1-tm-f5-proeven. F1 and F2 are without canter (walk, trot, shallow loop, 20 m circle, halt). F3 and F4 add working canter strike-offs on both reins. F5 adds a few lengthened trot steps, a serpentine of 3 loops and a canter strike-off from sitting trot. The F sheets are public at https://www.mijnknhs.nl/uploads/Proeven/<1-5><A-D>.pdf.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 2 because klasse BB has its own two tests (tests 16 and 17) with working walk, trot and canter, 20 m circles, simple transitions and a halt and salute, and no lengthenings. Impuls classes are ridden at a level set by the organiser (F1 and F2 walk and trot, F3 and F4 add canter, F5 adds a few lengthened trot steps) and are not a promotion class.

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B Rung 3 4 tests
Rungs covered
B (rung 3: Preliminary or Training level (working gaits and lengthenings))
Arena
20 x 40 m (Disciplinereglement art. 120.2). Test 18 is ridden in rising trot (lichtrijden).
Movements
  • Enter in working trot on the centre line
  • Shallow loop of 5 m (gebroken lijn) in trot
  • Change of rein with a few lengthened trot steps (enkele passen de draf verruimen)
  • Working canter strike-offs (aanspringen) left and right between letters
  • 20 m circles (grote volte) in trot and canter
  • Canter to trot and trot to walk transitions between letters
  • A few lengthened walk steps on the diagonal
  • Stretching the neck on a 20 m circle in trot, then retaking the reins (teugels op maat maken)
  • Half 20 m circle, straight ahead, turn down the centre line, halt and salute (the only halt is at the end)
Gaits
Working walk (arbeidsstap), Working trot (arbeidsdraf), rising trot (lichtrijden), Working canter (arbeidsgalop), A few lengthened steps (enkele passen verruimen) in walk and trot
Eligibility
Entry level for riders with a competition licence (startpas). Promotion to L1 is allowed at 10 winstpunten (promotion points) and mandatory at 30 (art. 107.1). At most 5 winstpunten may be earned through online tests (paardrijden.nl) in the classes B to L2 (art. 106.2).
Notes
The movement list is taken from test 18 (proef 18). The collective marks in B are gaits, impulsion, straightness, harmony, position and seat of the rider, and overall presentation (6 marks; only B has the sixth). Tests 19 to 21 were not checked individually, so the list reflects test 18 only. Their URLs follow the same pattern as test 18.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 3 because the tests use working gaits, a shallow loop, a few lengthened trot and walk steps and a stretching circle, with a halt only at the end.

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L1 Rung 4 4 tests
Rungs covered
L1 (rung 4: Novice or First level (leg-yield, medium gaits, rein-back))
Arena
20 x 40 m
Movements
  • Leg-yield (wijken voor het been) from the centre line towards the track, both reins (coefficient 2)
  • Shallow loop (gebroken lijn) in trot
  • Change of rein with a few lengthened trot steps
  • A few lengthened walk steps
  • Stretching the neck across the diagonal in trot (coefficient 2), then retaking the reins
  • Working canter strike-offs, 20 m circle with a few lengthened canter strides on the circle
  • Change of rein through an S (door een S van hand veranderen) in canter with a transition to trot
  • Half 20 m circle, walk, halt and salute
Gaits
Working walk (arbeidsstap), Working trot (arbeidsdraf), Working canter (arbeidsgalop), A few lengthened steps or strides (enkele passen/sprongen verruimen)
Eligibility
Promotion to L2 is allowed at 10 winstpunten (promotion points) and mandatory at 30.
Notes
The movement list is taken from test 22 (proef 22), which has 300 points and 5 collective marks. The 2022 revision introduced several leg-yield patterns in L, such as from the centre line to the track. Test 22 has no rein-back and no medium trot yet.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 4 (lower part) because the tests add leg-yield from the centre line, stretching, canter lengthening and a change of rein through an S with a trot transition, but no rein-back.

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L2 Rung 4 4 tests
Rungs covered
L2 (rung 4: Novice or First level (leg-yield, medium gaits, rein-back))
Arena
20 x 40 m
Movements
  • Leg-yield (wijken voor het been) of 10 m from the centre line, both reins
  • Medium trot (middendraf) across the diagonal
  • Medium walk (middenstap) across the diagonal
  • Halt, a few steps of rein-back (enkele passen achterwaarts, coefficient 2), forward in working trot
  • Change of rein through an S
  • Stretching the neck on a 20 m circle
  • Working canter with a volte of 12 to 15 m on each rein
  • A few strides of medium canter (middengalop), then working canter
  • Change of rein in canter with a transition to trot (no simple change)
Gaits
Working walk (arbeidsstap), Medium walk (middenstap), Working trot (arbeidsdraf), Medium trot (middendraf), Working canter (arbeidsgalop), A few strides of medium canter (enkele sprongen middengalop)
Eligibility
Promotion to M1 is allowed at 10 winstpunten (promotion points) and mandatory at 30.
Notes
The movement list is taken from test 26 (proef 26). This is the first level with rein-back and with medium trot, walk and canter.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 4 (upper part) because the tests add a 10 m leg-yield, medium trot, walk and canter, a few steps of rein-back and a canter volte of 12 to 15 m.

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M1 Rung 5 4 tests
Rungs covered
M1 (rung 5: Elementary or Second level (shoulder-in, collection begins, simple changes))
Arena
20 x 40 m, ridden in sitting trot (doorzitten)
Movements
  • Shoulder-in (schouderbinnenwaarts) on the long side, both reins (coefficient 2)
  • Medium trot (middendraf) across the diagonal (coefficient 2)
  • Halt, 3 to 5 steps of rein-back, forward in working trot
  • Change of rein through an S in trot
  • Half 20 m circles with stretching and retaking the reins
  • Medium walk (middenstap) across the diagonal (coefficient 2)
  • Trot to canter strike-offs, medium canter (middengalop) on the long side
  • Half-turn, also called reversed half circle (rechtsomkeert or linksomkeert), in canter leading into a half 20 m circle in counter-canter (contragalop)
  • Canter to trot transitions to change the lead (no simple change)
Gaits
Working walk (arbeidsstap), Medium walk (middenstap), Working trot (arbeidsdraf), Medium trot (middendraf), Working canter (arbeidsgalop), Medium canter (middengalop), Counter-canter (contragalop)
Eligibility
Promotion to M2 is allowed at 10 winstpunten (promotion points) and mandatory at 30.
Notes
The movement list is taken from test 30 (proef 30). This is the first level with shoulder-in and counter-canter. Test 30 has no travers.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 5 (lower part) because the tests add shoulder-in, medium gaits, a rein-back of 3 to 5 steps, counter-canter after a half-turn and sitting trot, while the canter lead is still changed through trot.

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M2 Rung 5 4 tests
Rungs covered
M2 (rung 5: Elementary or Second level (shoulder-in, collection begins, simple changes))
Arena
20 x 40 m, sitting trot
Movements
  • Shoulder-in (schouderbinnenwaarts) on the long side, both reins
  • Travers (haunches-in) on the long side, in test 36
  • Extended trot (uitgestrekte draf) across the diagonal
  • Voltes of 10 m in trot, in test 36
  • Halt, 4 steps of rein-back, forward in trot
  • Quarter turn on the haunches (kwartwending om de achterhand) in walk, left and right
  • Extended walk (uitgestrekte stap)
  • Medium canter (middengalop) on the long side, counter-canter (contragalop) along the long side after a change of rein
  • Change of canter lead through 4 to 6 trot steps, in test 36 (still no simple change through walk)
  • Half circle with stretching of the neck
Gaits
Working walk (arbeidsstap), Extended walk (uitgestrekte stap), Working trot (arbeidsdraf), Extended trot (uitgestrekte draf), Working canter (arbeidsgalop), Medium canter (middengalop), Counter-canter (contragalop)
Eligibility
Promotion to Z1 is allowed at 10 winstpunten (promotion points) and mandatory at 30. M2 is the last class with mandatory promotion.
Notes
The movement list is taken from tests 34 and 36 (proeven 34 and 36). M2 is the last level ridden in the 20 x 40 m arena. The 2022 revision gave coefficients to the lateral work in M (leg-yield, shoulder-in and travers).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 5 (upper part) because the tests add shoulder-in and travers, extended trot and walk, a rein-back of 4 steps, a quarter turn on the haunches and counter-canter, while there is still no simple change.

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Z1 Rung 6 4 tests
Rungs covered
Z1 (rung 6: Medium without flying changes, or FEI Pony level (trot half-pass, extended gaits))
Arena
20 x 60 m for Z1 and higher (Disciplinereglement art. 120.2), sitting trot
Movements
  • Enter in collected trot (verzamelde draf), the first level at which collection begins
  • Shoulder-in (schouderbinnenwaarts) on the long side, both reins
  • Trot half-pass (appuyeren in draf) from the centre line to the track, both reins (coefficient 2)
  • Extended trot (uitgestrekte draf) across the diagonal
  • Halt, 4 steps of rein-back, forward in extended walk
  • Half 20 m circle in extended walk (uitgestrekte stap), then collected walk (verzamelde stap), coefficient 2
  • Extended canter (uitgestrekte galop) and medium canter (middengalop) on the long side with transitions to collected canter
  • Simple change through walk (eenvoudige galopwisseling), several times, on half circles and on the diagonal (coefficient 2)
  • Stretching the neck across the diagonal in trot (coefficient 2)
  • Half circle, halt and salute at I
Gaits
Collected walk (verzamelde stap), Extended walk (uitgestrekte stap), Collected trot (verzamelde draf), Extended trot (uitgestrekte draf), Collected canter (verzamelde galop), Medium canter (middengalop), Extended canter (uitgestrekte galop)
Eligibility
Promotion to Z2 is allowed at 10 winstpunten (promotion points) and is not mandatory. At most 40 winstpunten are registered in Z1, Z2 and ZZ-Licht.
Notes
The movement list is taken from test 38 (proef 38), which has 350 points. Z1 is the first level in the 20 x 60 m arena and the first with collected gaits, trot half-pass and simple changes. There is no flying change in Z1.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 6 because the tests introduce collected gaits, trot half-pass, extended gaits, a rein-back of 4 steps and simple changes through walk, with no flying change.

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Z2 Rung 7 4 tests
Rungs covered
Z2 (rung 7: Medium or Third level (single flying changes))
Arena
20 x 60 m, sitting trot
Movements
  • Enter in collected canter, collected trot at X
  • Shoulder-in (schouderbinnenwaarts) and travers on the long side
  • Volte of 10 m in trot
  • Trot half-pass (appuyeren in draf) to the centre line, both reins
  • Extended trot (uitgestrekte draf) across the diagonal, medium trot (middendraf) on the centre line
  • Halt, 5 steps of rein-back, forward in extended walk
  • Extended walk (uitgestrekte stap, coefficient 2) and collected walk (verzamelde stap)
  • Extended canter (uitgestrekte galop) on the long side
  • Canter half-pass (appuyeren in galop) from the centre line to the track, both reins (coefficient 2)
  • Single flying change (vliegende galopwisseling) after each canter half-pass (coefficient 2)
  • Serpentine of 4 loops with the second and third loop in counter-canter
  • Simple change (eenvoudige galopwisseling) from counter-canter to counter-canter
  • Stretching the neck on a half 20 m circle in trot
Gaits
Collected walk (verzamelde stap), Extended walk (uitgestrekte stap), Collected trot (verzamelde draf), Medium trot (middendraf), Extended trot (uitgestrekte draf), Collected canter (verzamelde galop), Extended canter (uitgestrekte galop), Counter-canter (contragalop)
Eligibility
Promotion to ZZ-Licht is allowed at 10 winstpunten (promotion points) and is not mandatory. Ponies in Z2 ride the FEI pony tests (preliminary, individual and team, KNHS numbers 90 to 92) instead of KNHS tests (Disciplinereglement art. 104).
Notes
The movement list is taken from test 42 (proef 42). Z2 is the first level with single flying changes and canter half-pass. The 2022 revision removed flying changes from counter-canter to counter-canter from Z2.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 7 because the tests combine trot half-pass, travers and canter half-pass with a single flying change, a serpentine of 4 loops in counter-canter and a rein-back of 5 steps.

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ZZ-Licht Rung 8 4 tests
Rungs covered
ZZ-Licht (rung 8: Advanced Medium or FEI Junior level (canter half-passes, several changes, walk half-pirouettes))
Arena
20 x 60 m, sitting trot
Movements
  • Enter in collected canter
  • Changes of rein in medium trot (middendraf) and extended trot (uitgestrekte draf)
  • Halt, 5 steps of rein-back
  • Shoulder-in (schouderbinnenwaarts), volte of 10 m and trot half-pass (appuyeren in draf) to G or the centre line (coefficient 2)
  • Walk half-turn on the haunches (keertwending om de achterhand) left and right, in test 46
  • Extended walk (uitgestrekte stap, coefficient 2) and collected walk (verzamelde stap)
  • Quarter pirouette (kwartpirouette) in canter, left and right (coefficient 2)
  • Extended canter (uitgestrekte galop) with a flying change at the end
  • Serpentine of 2 loops with flying changes on the centre line (coefficient 2)
  • Canter half-pass (appuyeren in galop) with a flying change at the end or in the middle (zigzag D-E, E-G)
  • Counter-canter with single flying changes, in test 48
  • Two single flying changes on one diagonal, in test 48 (between M and X and between X and K)
Gaits
Collected walk (verzamelde stap), Extended walk (uitgestrekte stap), Collected trot (verzamelde draf), Medium trot (middendraf), Extended trot (uitgestrekte draf), Collected canter (verzamelde galop), Extended canter (uitgestrekte galop), Counter-canter (contragalop)
Eligibility
Promotion to ZZ-Zwaar is allowed at 10 winstpunten (promotion points) and is not mandatory (at most 40 registered). ZZ-Licht is the highest class of the basic sport (basissport). ZZ-Zwaar and above are called Subtop.
Notes
The movement list is taken from tests 46 and 48 (proeven 46 and 48), which have 350 points. The canter pirouettes are quarter pirouettes (kwartpirouette), not half pirouettes. There are no tempi series, only several single changes. Coefficients on pirouettes and flying changes were introduced in 2022.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 8 because the tests add canter half-pass with flying changes including a zigzag D-E-G, quarter canter pirouettes, a walk half-turn on the haunches and several single changes on one diagonal, but no tempi changes.

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ZZ-Zwaar Rung 9 4 tests
Rungs covered
ZZ-Zwaar (rung 9: Small Tour entry, Prix St. Georges or Young Riders (canter half-pirouettes, changes every fourth and third stride))
Arena
20 x 60 m, sitting trot
Movements
  • Enter in collected canter, halt and salute at X at the start
  • Medium trot (middendraf) and extended trot (uitgestrekte draf), coefficient 2
  • Shoulder-in (schouderbinnenwaarts), volte of 8 m and trot half-pass (appuyeren in draf), both reins
  • Walk half-turn on the haunches (keertwending om de achterhand) left and right
  • Collected walk (verzamelde stap) and extended walk (uitgestrekte stap), coefficient 2
  • Canter half-pirouette (halve pirouette) left and right (coefficient 2)
  • Single flying changes, extended canter (uitgestrekte galop)
  • Canter half-pass (appuyeren in galop) D-E or E-G with a flying change
  • Series of 3 flying changes (vliegende galopwisselingen) on the diagonal in test 50, and in test 52 a series of 3 changes every 4 to 6 strides and a series of 3 changes every 3 to 5 strides (coefficient 2)
  • Halt, 5 steps of rein-back
Gaits
Collected walk (verzamelde stap), Extended walk (uitgestrekte stap), Collected trot (verzamelde draf), Medium trot (middendraf), Extended trot (uitgestrekte draf), Collected canter (verzamelde galop), Extended canter (uitgestrekte galop)
Eligibility
Subtop class ridden with KNHS tests (all tests issued by the KNHS for this class, Disciplinereglement art. 104). Promotion to Lichte Tour (Prix St. Georges) is mandatory at 30 winstpunten, the KNHS promotion points (art. 107.1). The KNHS championships for ZZ-Zwaar and Lichte Tour have their own regulations.
Notes
The movement list is taken from tests 50 and 52 (proeven 50 and 52). The pirouettes are half pirouettes, not full, and the flying changes come in short series of 3 at intervals of 3 to 5 or 4 to 6 strides, so there are no strict four-, three- or two-tempi changes and no piaffe or passage. ZZ-Zwaar is roughly comparable to preparation for FEI Prix St. Georges.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 9 (lower part, Prix St. Georges preparation) because the tests add canter half-pirouettes, series of 3 flying changes at 3 to 5 or 4 to 6 strides (not strict tempi changes), voltes of 8 m and walk half-turns.

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Lichte Tour Rung 9 2 tests
Rungs covered
Lichte Tour: Prix St. Georges (rung 9: Small Tour entry, Prix St. Georges or Young Riders (canter half-pirouettes, changes every fourth and third stride)); Lichte Tour: Intermediate I (rung 10: Intermediate I (full pirouettes, changes every third and second stride, canter zigzag))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • All movements as in the FEI Prix St. Georges and Intermediate I tests (FEI-owned content, not reproduced here)
Gaits
Collected, medium and extended walk, trot and canter as in the FEI tests
Eligibility
Subtop class, FEI tests only. Entered from ZZ-Zwaar (mandatory at 30 winstpunten, the KNHS promotion points) or from Young Riders (10 winstpunten or two scores of 65% or more). Moving from Prix St. Georges to Intermediate I is allowed after one score of 60% or more. Promotion within Lichte Tour is not mandatory.
Notes
The KNHS uses the FEI tests unchanged (Disciplinereglement art. 104.4: tests may not be altered without KNHS or FEI permission). The KNHS publishes the current FEI sheets on Mijn KNHS: Prix St. Georges and Intermediate I, both 'update 2026' (FEI Edition 2009, update 2026). FEI tests must be ridden from memory (art. 115.2.c).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 9 because this class rides the FEI Prix St. Georges (rung 9) and Intermediate I (rung 10).

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Zware Tour Rung 12 6 tests
Rungs covered
Zware Tour: Intermediate A and B (rung 11: Medium Tour, Intermediate A and B (first piaffe and passage, one-tempi changes)); Zware Tour: Intermediate II, Grand Prix 16-25, Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special (rung 12: Big Tour: Intermediate II, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special)
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • All movements as in the FEI Intermediate A, Intermediate B, Intermediate II, Grand Prix 16-25, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special tests (FEI-owned content)
Gaits
Collected, medium and extended walk, trot and canter, passage and piaffe as in the FEI tests
Eligibility
Subtop class, FEI tests only (Disciplinereglement art. 104: the FEI tests Intermédiaire A and B, Intermédiaire II, Grand Prix 16-25, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special). Moving from Intermediate I to Intermediate A, B or II is allowed after one score of 60% or more, and from Intermediate II or Grand Prix U25 to Grand Prix after one score of 60% or more. Once a combination has started in a Zware Tour class the promotion is immediately definitive (art. 107.1.c).
Notes
This is the highest national level. The KNHS publishes the current FEI sheets on Mijn KNHS, all 'update 2026': Intermediate A (2015), Intermediate B (2020), Intermediate II (2009), Grand Prix 16-25 (2009), and Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special (2009, revision 2014).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 12 because this class rides the FEI Intermediate A and B (rung 11) and Intermediate II, Grand Prix 16-25, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special (rung 12).

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Germany – FN (Aufgabenheft 2024)

Official test index · 11 levels

Edition and verification notes

The current German tests are the 'Aufgabenheft Reiten 2024 (Nationale Aufgaben)', published by the FN in November 2023 together with the LPO 2024 and WBO 2024 rulebooks, and still current in 2026 with FN correction sheets up to June 2026 and a supplement on protocol abbreviations for Klasse E to L (September 2026). The official score sheets and correction pages are published by FN Verlag, with the rulebook index at pferdesport-deutschland.de. Test codes show the type of test: E, A, L, M and S are dressage tests (Dressurprüfung), RE to RS are rider tests (Dressurreiterprüfung), DA to DS are young-horse tests (Dressurpferdeprüfung), RP is a riding-horse test (Reitpferdeprüfung), a suffix /1 means ridden singly and /2 ridden in pairs, and 'Nur für X*' or 'Nur für X**' fixes the sub-class. Since 2024 Klasse E is ridden without auxiliary reins (they remain allowed only in WBO dressage competitions), and the hardest A test is ridden on 20 x 60 m. The texts of the WBO competitions and of the Klasse A* tests are not public, so those two levels are not verified from an official source.

WBO Wettbewerbe (Breitensport: Führzügel-WB, Reiter-WB, Dressurreiter-WB, Dressur-WB) Rung 2 content not verified from official source 5 tests
Rungs covered
WBO Führzügel-WB (WB 221) and Reiter-WB Schritt-Trab (WB 227) (rung 1: Walk and trot only); WBO Reiter-WB Schritt-Trab-Galopp (WB 228), Dressurreiter-WB (WB 241) and Dressur-WB (WB 242) (rung 2: Introductory walk, trot and canter)
Arena
20 x 40 m for the Dressurreiter-WB and the Dressur-WB (read in the tests DRW 1 and DW 6). The arena for the Führzügel-WB and the Reiter-WB is not verified from an official source.
Movements
  • Lead-rein competition (Führzügel-WB, WB 221), with the rider led on a lead rein in walk and trot in a group, rising trot, and first seat and aids according to FN guidance written for the 2018 WBO edition (the WBO 2024 text of WB 221 has not been read, so this is not verified from an official source)
  • Rider competitions in walk and trot (Reiter-WB Schritt-Trab, WB 227) and in walk, trot and canter (Reiter-WB Schritt-Trab-Galopp, WB 228), judged on seat and aids in a group in the named gaits, with at most 8 riders per group and the tasks announced by the judges according to FN guidance for the 2018 edition (the WBO 2024 texts of WB 227 and WB 228 have not been read, so this is not verified from an official source)
  • Dressage rider competition (Dressurreiter-WB, WB 241/A, B and C, tasks DRW 1, DRW 2 and DRW 3), described by the FN as the first and simplest dressage competition for young riders, with DRW 1 (WB 241/A) ridden in a group (Abteilung) of 2 to 4 riders, read aloud, about 6 minutes, containing medium walk (Mittelschritt), working trot (Arbeitstrab) rising and sitting, changes of rein across the diagonal, 20 m circles, working canter (Arbeitsgalopp) on the circle 1 to 1½ times round, change out of the circle, line up, halt and salute (DRW 2 and DRW 3 not read)
  • Dressage competition (Dressur-WB, WB 242/A to 242/F, tasks DW 1 to DW 6), described by the FN as riding the three basic gaits and simple school figures such as serpentines, circles, the whole arena, changes of rein and halts, with DW 6 (WB 242/F) ridden singly, about 3½ minutes, containing entry in medium walk, halt and salute at X, working trot rising and sitting, serpentine of 3 loops through the arena, change of rein through the half arena and across the diagonal, 20 m circles, canter strike-off from trot on the circle, medium walk and a final halt on the centre line (DW 1 to DW 5 not read)
  • Auxiliary reins (Hilfszügel) allowed in the Dressurreiter-WB and the Dressur-WB, but no sliding ring martingale (gleitendes Ringmartingal), unlike in LPO tests, and a snaffle bridle (Trensenzaum)
Gaits
Walk, Trot, Canter (only in the Schritt-Trab-Galopp competition and in the dressage competitions)
Eligibility
No LPO licence is needed, as these are grassroots (Breitensport) competitions. The rider performance class Leistungsklasse (LK) D7, the taster licence (Schnupperlizenz), lists Klasse E and the WBO competitions as its range.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None. These competitions sit below the FEI levels and below any graded national class.
Notes
Since 2024 Klasse E exists only under the LPO (Leistungs-Prüfungs-Ordnung, the FN rulebook for licensed competition), and the WBO (Wettbewerbsordnung für den Breitensport, the grassroots rulebook) covers everything below it. The WBO 2024 numbers these competitions as 221 Führzügel-WB, 227 Reiter-WB Schritt-Trab, 228 Reiter-WB Schritt-Trab-Galopp, 241/A to C Dressurreiter-WB (DRW 1 to 3) and 242/A to F Dressur-WB (DW 1 to 6), which are the six dressage and three dressage rider competitions of the WBO 2024. FN and DRV judge guidance refers to WB 241 to 255 as the dressage block. The full texts have been read only for WB 241/A (DRW 1) and WB 242/F (DW 6), from FN replacement pages. The WBO itself is a paid book, so the arena and the exact content of WB 221, 227 and 228 and of DRW 2 to 3 and DW 1 to 5 are not verified from an official source.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 2 because the Führzügel-WB (WB 221) and the Reiter-WB Schritt-Trab (WB 227) sit on rung 1, while the Reiter-WB Schritt-Trab-Galopp (WB 228), the Dressurreiter-WB (WB 241/A to C) and the Dressur-WB (WB 242/A to F) sit on rung 2. The tests DRW 1 and DW 6 contain medium walk, working trot and working canter on the circle and changes of rein, with no lengthenings, no lateral work and no rein-back, while the WBO 2024 texts for WB 221, 227 and 228 and for DRW 2 to 3 and DW 1 to 5 have not been read and are not verified from an official source.

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Klasse E (Eingangsstufe / Einsteiger) Rung 2 4 tests
Rungs covered
Klasse E (rung 2: Introductory walk, trot and canter)
Arena
20 x 40 m
Movements
  • Entry at working trot or medium walk, halt and salute at X (E 5/1 enters in walk, E 6/1 in trot)
  • Working trot rising (leichttraben) and sitting (aussitzen)
  • Change of rein across the diagonal, through the half arena and down the length of the arena (durch die Länge der Bahn wechseln)
  • Turn onto the quarter line (Viertellinie) and ride straight
  • 20 m circles (Zirkel, Mittelzirkel) and half circles, change out of the circle
  • Canter strike-off from trot on the circle in working canter (Arbeitsgalopp), canter 1 to 1½ times round the circle
  • Medium walk (Mittelschritt)
  • Final halt on the centre line, leaving the arena at walk on a long rein
  • Since 2024 ridden without auxiliary reins (ohne Hilfszügel), with the pair versions (/2) ridden one behind the other (zu zweit hintereinander) on command
Gaits
Medium walk, Working trot, Working canter
Eligibility
Rider performance class Leistungsklasse (LK) D7 (Schnupperlizenz, the taster licence) or D6 (Jahresturnierlizenz, the annual competition licence). Snaffle bridle (Trense) only.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None, as the class sits below the FEI levels. It is roughly comparable to other nations' introductory or preliminary level.
Notes
A test lasts about 3½ minutes. There are no sub-classes (no stars). The movement list comes from the official E 5/1 and E 6/1 texts, which contain no lateral work, no rein-back and no lengthenings. According to the FN Leitfaden sheets, E 1 to E 3 are team dressage and group riding tasks (Mannschaftsdressur, Abteilungsreiten) and E 4 to E 7 are dressage test (Dressurprüfung) tasks. The dressage rider test (Dressurreiterprüfung) tasks at Klasse E are RE 1 and RE 2.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 2 because the tests ask for the three basic gaits (medium walk, working trot and working canter), 20 m circles and the quarter line, with no lateral work, no lengthenings and no rein-back.

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Klasse A* (Anfangsstufe) Rung 4 content not verified from official source 7 tests
Rungs covered
Klasse A* (rung 4: Novice or First level (leg-yield, medium gaits, rein-back))
Arena
20 x 40 m
Movements
  • Source caveat: the texts of the A* tests (A 1 to A 8) are not public, so the items below are taken from the A** tests A 12/2 and A 13/1 and are not verified from an official source for A*
  • Working gaits with first lengthenings, medium trot (Mitteltrab) and medium canter (Mittelgalopp) across the diagonal or along the long side
  • Halt and rein-back of one horse length (eine Pferdelänge rückwärtsrichten), then trot on (A 13/1 and A 12/2)
  • 10 m half-voltes and 10 m voltes, quarter-line work and enlarging the square (Viereck vergrößern, riding from the quarter line back to the track from the E to B line)
  • Simple transitions between trot, walk and canter, with canter strike-offs from trot and from walk (A 13/1: medium walk between M and X, then strike off into working canter on the left rein)
  • Stretching on a long rein (Zügel aus der Hand kauen lassen, letting the horse take the rein forward and down) on the circle
  • Giving the inside rein (Überstreichen) in the volte (A 12/2)
  • Leg-yield (Schenkelweichen) not found in the A texts read (A 12/2, A 13/1 and A 13/2), which use enlarging the square instead, with A 1 to A 11 not read and so not verified from an official source
Gaits
Medium walk, Working trot, Medium trot, Working canter, Medium canter
Eligibility
Rider performance class Leistungsklasse (LK) D6, D5, D4, D3 or D2, with D1 riders admitted only in build-up classes (Aufbauprüfungen). Snaffle bridle (Trense).
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None. FEI Children tests are run nationally as Klasse A** (under names such as 'U15-Dressurprüfung Kl. A** (FEI Children)'), and the 2024 Aufgabenheft added the international Children test as an A task.
Notes
Klasse A is split into A* and A**. The boundary is consistent across Westfalen-approved schedules for 2025 and 2026 (about 1,000 A entries without exception): A 1 to A 8 are run as Klasse A* and A 9 to A 13 as Klasse A**, and the FN prints 'nur für A**' (A** only) on A 12/2, A 13/1 and A 13/2. According to the FN Leitfaden sheets, A 1 to A 4 and A 9 to A 11 are team dressage and group riding tasks (Mannschaftsdressur, Abteilungsreiten) and A 5 to A 8, A 12 and A 13 are dressage test (Dressurprüfung) tasks. The FN states that the hardest A test is ridden on 20 x 60 m, but which one it is remains not verified from an official source (A 12/2, A 13/1 and A 13/2 are printed for 20 x 40 m, and one Westfalen schedule lists 'Aufgabe A8 (Viereck 20 x 60 m)' for a Klasse A* class).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 4 because the tests include medium trot and medium canter, halt and rein-back of one horse length, 10 m half-voltes, canter strike-off from walk, giving the inside rein (Überstreichen) and enlarging the square (Viereck vergrößern). These items were read only in the A** tests A 12/2 and A 13/1, and the A* test texts (A 1 to A 8) are not public, so the A* placement is not verified from an official source at test level.

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Klasse A** Rung 4 2 tests
Rungs covered
Klasse A** (rung 4: Novice or First level (leg-yield, medium gaits, rein-back))
Arena
20 x 40 m (the FN states that the hardest A test is ridden on 20 x 60 m)
Movements
  • As A*, taken from A 13/1 (A** only): 10 m half-voltes, enlarging the square from the quarter line, medium trot on the diagonal, medium walk, canter on the 20 m circle, canter strike-off from walk, medium canter, trot and canter transitions on the circle, stretching on a long rein (Zügel aus der Hand kauen lassen), halt, rein-back of one horse length and trot on
  • In A 12/2 (A** only, ridden in pairs) additionally voltes with giving the inside rein (Überstreichen)
Gaits
Medium walk, Working trot, Medium trot, Working canter, Medium canter
Eligibility
As Klasse A, rider performance class Leistungsklasse (LK) D6 to D2.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
FEI Children (run nationally as Klasse A**)
Notes
A test lasts about 4 minutes.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 4 (upper part) because, as for A*, the test A 13/1 contains medium trot, rein-back and canter strike-off from walk. FEI Children tests are run nationally as A** or L*.

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Klasse L* (Leicht, Trense) Rung 5 3 tests
Rungs covered
Klasse L* (Trense) (rung 5: Elementary or Second level (shoulder-in, collection begins, simple changes))
Arena
20 x 40 m or 20 x 60 m (tests exist for both, for example RL 2 on 20 x 40 m and L 8 on 20 x 60 m)
Movements
  • Collected trot and collected canter (versammelter Trab, versammelter Galopp) for the first time, with medium trot and medium canter and transitions
  • 10 m voltes with giving the inside rein (Überstreichen), in L 7
  • Halt, rein-back of one horse length, then ride on in medium walk, in L 7
  • Simple change (einfacher Galoppwechsel), in L 7 and RL 2
  • Counter-canter (Außengalopp), with a change of rein without change of leg and counter-canter through the short side, in L 7 and RL 2
  • Serpentine of three loops with walk transitions over the centre line, in RL 2 (paraphrased)
  • Walk half-turn on the haunches (Kurzkehrt), in RL 2 (paraphrased), while shoulder-in and travers do not appear in the L* tests read (they appear in L**)
Gaits
Medium walk, Working and collected trot, Medium trot, Collected canter, Medium canter, Counter-canter
Eligibility
Rider performance class Leistungsklasse (LK) D5, D4, D3, D2 or D1. Normally a snaffle bridle ('L* Trense'). Under the FN equipment catalogue (Ausrüstungskatalog) a double bridle (Kandare) may be prescribed by the show schedule in dressage classes from Klasse L to S*.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
FEI Children tests are run nationally as Klasse L* (as 'U15-Dressurprüfung Kl. L* Trense, FEI Children'), and FEI Pony tests as 'Pony-Dressurprüfung Kl. L**'.
Notes
A test lasts about 5 minutes. The sub-classes are printed on the tests as 'Nur für L*' or 'Nur für L**' (L* only, L** only). L 11 is the former L 10 on 20 x 60 m and may also be ridden on 20 x 40 m (FN statement in a horseweb article of December 2023).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 5 because collected trot and canter begin here, together with simple changes, counter-canter, rein-back and the walk half-turn on the haunches (Kurzkehrt, in RL 2), while the L* tests contain no shoulder-in or half-pass.

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Klasse L** (Leicht, Trense/Kandare) Rung 6 2 tests
Rungs covered
Klasse L** (Trense or Kandare) (rung 6: Medium without flying changes, or FEI Pony level (trot half-pass, extended gaits))
Arena
20 x 60 m (L 11 may also be ridden on 20 x 40 m)
Movements
  • Entry in collected canter, in L 11 and L 12
  • Shoulder-in (Schulterherein) in collected trot, in L 11 and L 12
  • Trot half-pass (Traversieren, Traversale) from a 10 m half-volte back to the track, in L 11 and L 12
  • Medium trot across the diagonal, and 8 m voltes (L 12)
  • Walk half-turn on the haunches (Kurzkehrt) left and right, and medium walk, in L 11
  • Medium canter, counter-canter half circles and 8 m turns (Kehrt) without change of leg, and simple changes, in L 11
  • Giving the inside rein (Überstreichen) in canter on the 20 m circle, in L 11
  • No flying changes
Gaits
Medium walk, Collected walk (L 12), Collected trot, Medium trot, Collected canter, Medium canter, Counter-canter
Eligibility
As Klasse L, rider performance class Leistungsklasse (LK) D5 to D1. A double bridle (Kandare) may be prescribed by the show schedule (Klasse L to S*).
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
FEI Pony tests are run as 'Pony-Dressurprüfung Kl. L**' (as shown in 2025 show programmes).
Notes
L 11 (L**) contains shoulder-in, trot half-pass, walk half-turn on the haunches (Kurzkehrt), simple changes and counter-canter, which is the full Klasse L catalogue. The L* tests (L 7, RL 2) omit lateral work.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 6 because the tests contain shoulder-in, trot half-pass from a 10 m half-volte, walk half-turn on the haunches (Kurzkehrt), simple changes, counter-canter and 8 m voltes, but no flying changes. FEI Pony tests are run as L**.

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Klasse M* (Mittelschwer) Rung 7 4 tests
Rungs covered
Klasse M* (rung 7: Medium or Third level (single flying changes))
Arena
20 x 40 m (RM 1) or 20 x 60 m (M 5, M 6)
Movements
  • Collected trot with 8 m voltes, shoulder-in and trot half-passes (Traversale) from the centre line or quarter line, in M 5 and RM 1
  • Medium trot and extended trot (starker Trab) on the diagonal, in M 5
  • Walk half-turn on the haunches (Kurzkehrt), medium walk and extended walk (starker Schritt), in M 5
  • Collected canter, medium canter and single flying changes (fliegender Galoppwechsel) on the diagonal or through the half arena, in M 5 and RM 1
  • Giving the inside rein (Überstreichen) in canter for 2 to 3 horse lengths on a half circle, in M 5
  • No tempi changes and no pirouettes in the M* tests read
Gaits
Medium walk, Extended walk, Collected trot, Medium trot, Extended trot, Collected canter, Medium canter
Eligibility
Rider performance class Leistungsklasse (LK) D4, D3, D2 or D1. Ridden in a snaffle (Trense) or a double bridle (Kandare) as the show schedule states (for example 'Kl. M* Kandare' or 'Dressurreiterprüfung Kl. M* Trense').
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None directly. FEI Junior tests are run nationally as Klasse M**.
Notes
The sub-class is fixed by 'Nur für M*' (M* only) printed on the test.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 7 because the tests contain shoulder-in, trot half-passes, extended trot and extended walk, single flying changes and the walk half-turn on the haunches (Kurzkehrt), but no canter half-pass in M 5.

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Klasse M** Rung 8 5 tests
Rungs covered
Klasse M** (rung 8: Advanced Medium or FEI Junior level (canter half-passes, several changes, walk half-pirouettes))
Arena
20 x 40 m (M 8, M 9) or 20 x 60 m (M 10 to M 13)
Movements
  • Collected, medium and extended walk, trot and canter (versammelter, Mittel- and starker Schritt, Trab and Galopp)
  • Shoulder-in (Schulterherein) in collected trot
  • Volte of 8 m, half-volte of 10 m and 8 m turn-volte (Kehrtvolte)
  • Half-pass (Traversieren) in trot (M 8, M 9, M 12, and M 13 as zigzag half-passes) and in collected canter (M 10 and M 13, half-pass to the left or right from L to S or L to R)
  • Three zigzag half-passes (Traversalverschiebungen, counter changes of hand) in trot of 5, 10 and 5 metres (M 11, M 13)
  • Halt and rein-back of 5 steps (5 Tritte rückwärtsrichten), in M 11 and M 12
  • Walk half-pirouettes right and left in collected walk (halbe Pirouette im versammelten Schritt), in M 10 and M 13
  • Walk half-turn on the haunches (Kurzkehrt) in M 9, and counter-canter (Außengalopp) in M 8
  • Single flying changes (fliegender Galoppwechsel), including on a serpentine (Schlangenlinie) of 3 or 4 loops with a change at each crossing of the centre line (M 9: 3 loops; M 10: 4 loops)
  • In M 13 only: collected canter from H through X to F with 3 flying changes, the number of strides between them free but not fewer than 5 (Sprungzahl beliebig, aber nicht kleiner als 5)
  • Simple change (einfacher Galoppwechsel), in M 12
  • Class mapping 2024: M 1 to M 7 are marked 'Nur für M*' (M* only) and M 8 to M 13 'Nur für M**' (M** only) on the official FN Verlag score sheets
Gaits
Collected, medium and extended walk, trot and canter (not verified from an official source for the national M** tests)
Eligibility
Rider performance class Leistungsklasse (LK) D4 to D1 (a 2025 Borken schedule states 'LK 1,2,3,4'). A double bridle (Kandare) is typical.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
FEI Junior tests (run as Klasse M**)
Notes
The official 2024 score sheets show no fixed-count tempi changes and no canter pirouettes at M** (walk half-pirouettes only). Fixed-count series and canter half-pirouettes start in S*.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 8 because the official 2024 sheets for M 8 to M 13 contain trot and canter half-passes, three trot zigzag half-passes of 5, 10 and 5 metres, rein-back of 5 steps, walk half-pirouettes, serpentines with flying changes and, in M 13, three flying changes on the diagonal at least 5 strides apart, but no tempi changes and no canter pirouettes. FEI Junior tests are run as M**.

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Klasse S* (Schwer) Rung 9 7 tests
Rungs covered
Klasse S* (rung 9: Small Tour entry, Prix St. Georges or Young Riders (canter half-pirouettes, changes every fourth and third stride))
Arena
20 x 40 m (S 1) or 20 x 60 m (S 2)
Movements
  • Entry in collected canter
  • Extended trot and medium trot with transitions
  • 8 m voltes, shoulder-in and trot half-passes
  • Collected walk, walk half-pirouettes and extended walk
  • Canter half-pass with flying change
  • Canter half-pirouettes (halbe Pirouette in collected canter), in S 1, S 3, S 4 and S 5
  • Flying changes every fourth stride and every third stride, 3 of each in S 1 to S 3 or 5 of each in S 4 and S 5
  • Extended canter
  • S 5, the 'St-Georg-Special' test
Gaits
Collected walk, Extended walk, Collected trot, Medium trot, Extended trot, Collected canter, Medium canter
Eligibility
Rider performance class Leistungsklasse (LK) D3, D2 or D1 (schedules state 'LK 1,2,3'). Horses must be 7 years or older for Prix St. Georges. A double bridle (Kandare) is required: the FN equipment catalogue (Ausrüstungskatalog) states that in dressage classes from Klasse S the double bridle is used only together with a bradoon (Unterlegtrense).
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
Prix St. Georges, run as 'Dressurprüfung Kl. S* Kandare, Prix St. Georges' in FN-approved schedules for 2025 and 2026. FEI Young Rider tests are also run as Klasse S*.
Notes
The official 2024 score sheets show S 1 to S 5 as S* tests. Prix St. Georges is run nationally as Klasse S*.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 9 because the tests S 1 to S 5 contain canter half-pirouettes, 3 or 5 flying changes every fourth and every third stride, walk half-pirouettes and canter half-pass with flying change. Prix St. Georges is run as S*.

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Klasse S** Rung 10 2 tests
Rungs covered
Klasse S** (rung 10: Intermediate I (full pirouettes, changes every third and second stride, canter zigzag))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • Trot half-pass (Traversieren) left and right, and extended trot (starker Trab)
  • Medium walk, extended walk and collected walk (Mittelschritt, starker Schritt, versammelter Schritt)
  • Halt, rein-back of 5 steps (5 Tritte rückwärtsrichten) and canter strike-off out of the rein-back
  • Medium canter (Mittelgalopp) with flying change on the centre line
  • Three zigzag half-passes (Traversalverschiebungen) in canter of 5, 10 and 5 metres with a flying change at each change of direction
  • Five flying changes every third stride (5 fliegende Galoppwechsel zu 3 Sprüngen)
  • Extended canter (starker Galopp)
  • Full canter pirouettes left and right (ganze Pirouette links und rechts)
  • Giving and retaking the reins (Überstreichen) on a half circle
  • Seven flying changes every second stride (7 fliegende Galoppwechsel zu 2 Sprüngen)
Gaits
Collected, medium and extended walk, trot and canter (as in Intermédiaire I)
Eligibility
Rider performance class Leistungsklasse (LK) D3, D2 or D1 (schedules state 'LK 1,2,3'). Horses must be 7 years or older for Intermédiaire I. Double bridle (Kandare).
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
Intermédiaire I (as shown in FN-approved show schedules). Intermédiaire A and B appeared once as Klasse S*** in a 2026 programme, which is inconsistent and not verified from an official source.
Notes
S 6 contains full canter pirouettes, 5 three-tempi changes, 7 two-tempi changes and canter zigzag half-passes, but no piaffe, no passage and no one-tempi changes. Intermédiaire I is run nationally as Klasse S**.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 10 because S 6 contains full canter pirouettes, 5 three-tempi changes, 7 two-tempi changes, canter zigzag half-passes and rein-back of 5 steps, but no piaffe or passage. Intermédiaire I is run as S**.

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Klasse S*** (highest national class; Intermédiaire II and Grand Prix) Rung 12 4 tests
Rungs covered
S*** tests S 7 and S 8 (about Intermédiaire A and B) (rung 11: Medium Tour, Intermediate A and B (first piaffe and passage, one-tempi changes)); S*** tests S 9 and S 10 (Intermédiaire II, Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special) (rung 12: Big Tour: Intermediate II, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special)
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • Passage and piaffe (7 to 10 steps in S 7 and S 8, 8 to 10 in S 9, 12 to 15 in S 10) with transitions from passage to piaffe and back to passage (Übergänge Passage, Piaffe, Passage)
  • Four zigzag half-passes (Traversalverschiebungen) in trot in S 7, S 9 and S 10, and three zigzag half-passes in canter with a flying change at each change of direction in S 8
  • Full canter pirouettes left and right (ganze Pirouette links und rechts)
  • Two-tempi changes (fliegende Galoppwechsel zu 2 Sprüngen), 9 in S 7, S 9 and S 10 and 7 in S 8
  • One-tempi changes (fliegende Galoppwechsel von Sprung zu Sprung), 9 in S 7, 11 in S 8 and 15 in S 9 and S 10
Gaits
Collected, medium and extended walk, trot and canter, plus piaffe and passage (as in FEI Grand Prix and Intermédiaire II)
Eligibility
Rider performance class Leistungsklasse (LK) D3, D2 or D1 (the Louisdor-Preis schedule states 'LK 1/2'). Horses must be 8 years or older for Intermédiaire II and Grand Prix. Double bridle (Kandare). LK D1 requires '25 × Kl. S und 8 × Grand Prix' or '20 × Grand Prix, Special, Kür', in plain words 25 at Klasse S plus 8 at Grand Prix, or 20 at Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special or Kür.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
Intermédiaire II and Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Kurz-Grand Prix are all designated Klasse S*** (as shown in the FN's own Louisdor-Preis 2026 schedule and several FN-approved schedules for 2025 and 2026).
Notes
S 7 to S 10 contain piaffe (7 to 10, 8 to 10 or 12 to 15 steps), passage, full canter pirouettes, two-tempi changes and one-tempi series of 9, 11 or 15 changes. Intermédiaire II and Grand Prix are both run nationally as Klasse S***, and no S**** exists.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 12 because S 9 and S 10 contain piaffe of 8 to 10 or 12 to 15 steps and 15 one-tempi changes, while S 7 and S 8 contain piaffe of 7 to 10 steps, passage and 9 to 11 one-tempi changes and sit on rung 11, so the class straddles rungs 11 and 12. Intermédiaire II and Grand Prix are both run as S***.

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France – FFE

Official test index · 13 levels

Edition and verification notes

The FFE tests (reprises) in force carry version dates from 01/09/2025 to 18/09/2026: most Amateur texts are 'Version 02/12/2025', the Amateur Elite and Pro texts 'Version 26/05/2026', and the Club texts run from 'Version 01/09/2025' to 'Version 14/09/2026'. The official sheets are indexed on https://www.ffe.com/pratiquer/disciplines/dressage and published as protocol PDFs on ffecompet.ffe.com, and the rules quoted here come from the 'Règlement des compétitions, Dispositions spécifiques Dressage' 2027, applicable from 1 September 2026 (https://www.ffe.com/media/13273/download). A buyer should know that each division needs its own competition licence (LFC Club, LFC Amateur or LFC Pro) and a rider grade (Galop 2 or Galop d'Or for Club 4 to Club 2, Galop 4 for Club 1, Galop 6 for Club Elite, Galop 7 for Amateur and Pro), with a minimum age of 10 for Amateur and 14 for Pro and none printed for Club (Art 4.1). Movement lists were extracted from the official protocol PDFs by text search, so minor movements may be missing, and the eventing dressage (CCE) protocols are excluded.

Club 4 Rung 2 3 tests
Rungs covered
Club 4 (rung 2: Introductory walk, trot and canter)
Arena
60 by 20 m or 40 by 20 m (Annexe: '60 x 20 m ou 40 x 20 m')
Movements
  • Circle of 20 m (cercle de 20 m)
  • Transitions between walk, trot and canter (transitions pas, trot, galop)
  • Halt and salute (arrêt-salut)
  • Medium walk (pas moyen)
  • Strike-off into working canter (départ au galop de travail), on both reins
  • Free walk on a long rein (pas libre rênes longues)
Gaits
Medium walk (pas moyen), Working trot (trot de travail), Working canter (galop de travail)
Eligibility
Club competition licence (LFC Club) and Galop 2 or Galop d'Or, the FFE rider grades (Art 4.1; the table prints no minimum age in the Club columns). Entry-level test, entered individually but it may be ridden one rider after another in groups of 3 to 4 (Art 2.1 D; the Annexe says 'maximum 3'). Rising trot is allowed in Club 4 and Club 3 unless the test text says 'trot assis' (Art 4.1).
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None. This is the national entry level.
Notes
A 'Club Découverte' initiation test sits below Club 4 (https://www.ffe.com/media/18103/download, sheet dated 22/09/2026). It has 25 figures each marked out of 1 at walk, trot (20 m circles, diagonals at sitting trot) and canter strike-offs on the 20 m circle, plus rider marks. Art 2.1 L describes it as an introduction for riders 'du Galop 2 au Galop 4' (Art 4.1 says Galop 1 à 4).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 2 because the test asks only for 20 m circles, transitions, working canter, medium walk and free walk.

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Club 3 Rung 3 3 tests
Rungs covered
Club 3 (rung 3: Preliminary or Training level (working gaits and lengthenings))
Arena
60 by 20 m or 40 by 20 m
Movements
  • Circle of 20 m (cercle de 20 m) and, in the Grand Prix test, of 15 m
  • Serpentine
  • Extended walk (pas allongé)
  • Transitions
  • Halt (arrêt)
  • Rising trot allowed (trot enlevé)
Gaits
Medium walk (pas moyen), Extended walk (pas allongé), Working trot (trot de travail), Working canter (galop de travail)
Eligibility
Club competition licence (LFC Club) and Galop 2 or Galop d'Or, the FFE rider grades (Art 4.1; the table prints no minimum age in the Club columns).
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None
Notes
No lateral work.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 3 because the tests ask for 15 m circles, a serpentine, extended walk and working canter, with no lateral work.

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Club 2 Rung 4 3 tests
Rungs covered
Club 2 (rung 4: Novice or First level (leg-yield, medium gaits, rein-back))
Arena
60 by 20 m or 40 by 20 m
Movements
  • Leg-yield (cession à la jambe)
  • Circles of 15 m and 20 m (cercle de 15 m, cercle de 20 m)
  • Curved line (ligne courbe)
  • Extended walk (pas allongé)
  • Transitions
  • Rising trot allowed (trot enlevé)
Gaits
Medium walk (pas moyen), Extended walk (pas allongé), Working trot (trot de travail), Working canter (galop de travail)
Eligibility
Club competition licence (LFC Club) and Galop 2 or Galop d'Or, the FFE rider grades (Art 4.1; the table prints no minimum age in the Club columns).
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None
Notes
First appearance of leg-yield.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 4, at its lower end, because leg-yield appears for the first time alongside 15 m circles, curved lines and extended walk, while the trot is working trot only.

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Club 1 Rung 4 3 tests
Rungs covered
Club 1 (rung 4: Novice or First level (leg-yield, medium gaits, rein-back))
Arena
60 by 20 m (Annexe: Club 1 Préliminaire, Grand Prix and Libre are ridden in '60 x 20 m')
Movements
  • Leg-yield (cession à la jambe)
  • Medium trot (trot moyen)
  • Circle of 10 m (cercle de 10 m), in the Préliminaire test
  • Curved line (ligne courbe)
  • Extended walk (pas allongé)
  • Transitions
Gaits
Medium walk (pas moyen), Extended walk (pas allongé), Working trot (trot de travail), Medium trot (trot moyen), Working canter (galop de travail)
Eligibility
Club competition licence (LFC Club) and Galop 4, the FFE rider grade (Art 4.1, Club 1 column; the table prints no minimum age in the Club columns).
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None
Why this rung
Placed on rung 4 because the tests ask for leg-yield, medium trot and a 10 m circle.

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Club Elite Rung 5 3 tests
Rungs covered
Club Elite (rung 5: Elementary or Second level (shoulder-in, collection begins, simple changes))
Arena
60 by 20 m
Movements
  • Shoulder-in (épaule en dedans)
  • Rein-back (reculer), in the Grand Prix test
  • Medium trot (trot moyen)
  • Medium canter (galop moyen), in the Grand Prix test
  • Volte or circle of 10 m (volte, cercle de 10 m)
  • Extended walk (pas allongé)
Gaits
Medium walk (pas moyen), Extended walk (pas allongé), Working trot (trot de travail), Medium trot (trot moyen), Working canter (galop de travail), Medium canter (galop moyen)
Eligibility
Club competition licence (LFC Club) and Galop 6, the FFE rider grade (Art 4.1, Club Elite column; the table prints no minimum age in the Club columns). The Galop row of Art 4.1 reads: Galop 2 or Galop d'Or for Club 4, Club 3 and Club 2, Galop 4 for Club 1 and Galop 6 for Club Elite.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None
Notes
Shoulder-in is the defining new movement compared with Club 1.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 5 because shoulder-in appears for the first time, together with rein-back in the Grand Prix test, medium trot and medium canter, and 10 m voltes.

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Amateur 3 Rung 5 6 tests
Rungs covered
Amateur 3 (rung 5: Elementary or Second level (shoulder-in, collection begins, simple changes))
Arena
60 by 20 m (Annexe: all Amateur tests are ridden in 60 x 20 m)
Movements
  • Leg-yield (cession à la jambe), in tests A and Préliminaire
  • Shoulder-in (épaule en dedans), in the Grand Prix test
  • Rein-back (reculer), in the Grand Prix test
  • Simple change or flying change at the rider's choice (changement de pied de ferme à ferme ou en l'air), in the Grand Prix test
  • Serpentine
  • Circle of 10 m (cercle de 10 m)
  • Medium trot (trot moyen)
  • Medium canter (galop moyen)
  • Extended walk (pas allongé)
Gaits
Medium walk (pas moyen), Extended walk (pas allongé), Working trot (trot de travail), Medium trot (trot moyen), Working canter (galop de travail), Medium canter (galop moyen)
Eligibility
Art 4.1: Amateur competition licence (LFC Amateur), minimum age 10, and Galop 7 (the FFE rider grade) as Galop 7 de Cavalier, Galop 7 de Dressage or Galop 7 de compétition (Dressage, CSO show jumping, CCE eventing or Hunter). Rising trot is permitted in Amateur 2 A and in all lower Amateur tests.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None. Roughly a Novice or Elementary type of national level.
Notes
Amateur 3 Grand Prix (Version 02/12/2025) offers 'changement de pied de ferme à ferme ou en l'air', a simple change or a flying change at the rider's choice.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 5, at its upper end, because the Grand Prix test asks for shoulder-in, rein-back and a simple or flying change at the rider's choice, alongside 10 m circles and medium gaits.

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Amateur 2 Rung 6 6 tests
Rungs covered
Amateur 2 tests A, B and Préliminaire (rung 6: Medium without flying changes, or FEI Pony level (trot half-pass, extended gaits)); Amateur 2 Grand Prix (one flying change) (rung 7: Medium or Third level (single flying changes))
Arena
60 by 20 m
Movements
  • Shoulder-in (épaule en dedans)
  • Travers (tête au mur), in Amateur 2 A
  • Trot half-pass (appuyer au trot), in tests Préliminaire and Grand Prix
  • Rein-back (reculer), in the Grand Prix test
  • Counter-canter (contre-galop), in tests A and B
  • Simple change or flying change at the rider's choice (changement de pied de ferme à ferme ou en l'air), in the Préliminaire test
  • Flying change (changement de pied en l'air) on the change of rein through X, plus simple changes (changements de pied de ferme à ferme), in the Grand Prix test
  • Circle of 10 m (cercle de 10 m)
  • Medium trot (trot moyen)
  • Medium canter (galop moyen)
  • Extended walk (pas allongé)
Gaits
Medium walk (pas moyen), Extended walk (pas allongé), Working trot (trot de travail), Medium trot (trot moyen), Working canter (galop de travail), Medium canter (galop moyen)
Eligibility
Art 4.1: Amateur competition licence (LFC Amateur), minimum age 10, and Galop 7 (the FFE rider grade) as Galop 7 de Cavalier, Galop 7 de Dressage or Galop 7 de compétition (Dressage, CSO show jumping, CCE eventing or Hunter). Rising trot is allowed in Amateur 2 A but not in the higher Amateur 2 tests.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None stated by the FFE. A national level, roughly of the Elementary to Medium type.
Notes
First trot half-pass and first compulsory flying change (Amateur 2 Grand Prix).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 6 because the tests ask for trot half-pass (Préliminaire and Grand Prix), travers (A), counter-canter and rein-back in working and medium gaits, without collection. Amateur 2 Grand Prix has one compulsory flying change (a choice in the Préliminaire), which touches rung 7.

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Amateur 1 Rung 7 6 tests
Rungs covered
Amateur 1 (rung 7: Medium or Third level (single flying changes))
Arena
60 by 20 m
Movements
  • Shoulder-in (épaule en dedans)
  • Trot half-pass (appuyer au trot)
  • Canter half-pass (appuyer au galop), both directions, in tests A, B, Préliminaire and Grand Prix
  • Rein-back (reculer)
  • Walk half-pirouette (demi-pirouette au pas), in tests Préliminaire and Grand Prix
  • Single flying changes (changements de pied en l'air), 4 to 5 per test and 2 in test B
  • Simple change (changement de pied de ferme à ferme), in tests B and Grand Prix
  • Counter-canter (contre-galop), in tests Grand Prix and B
  • Extensions (allongements): extended trot (trot allongé), extended canter (galop allongé) and extended walk (pas allongé)
  • Medium trot (trot moyen) and medium canter (galop moyen)
  • Circle of 10 m or volte (cercle de 10 m, volte)
Gaits
Collected walk (pas rassemblé), Medium walk (pas moyen), Extended walk (pas allongé), Collected trot (trot rassemblé), Medium trot (trot moyen), Extended trot (trot allongé), Collected canter (galop rassemblé), Medium canter (galop moyen), Extended canter (galop allongé)
Eligibility
Art 4.1: Amateur competition licence (LFC Amateur), minimum age 10, and Galop 7 (the FFE rider grade) as Galop 7 de Cavalier, Galop 7 de Dressage or Galop 7 de compétition (Dressage, CSO show jumping, CCE eventing or Hunter).
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None stated. A national level below Prix St Georges, with collected gaits, walk half-pirouettes and single flying changes.
Notes
First collected gaits ('rassemblé') and first walk half-pirouettes.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 7, at its upper end bordering rung 8, because collected gaits appear for the first time together with walk half-pirouettes (Préliminaire and Grand Prix), single flying changes, trot half-pass and canter half-pass to both sides in all four tests (A, B, Préliminaire and Grand Prix), extended gaits and rein-back. There are no series of changes on one line, no tempi changes and no canter pirouettes.

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Amateur Elite Rung 9 5 tests
Rungs covered
Amateur Elite (rung 9: Small Tour entry, Prix St. Georges or Young Riders (canter half-pirouettes, changes every fourth and third stride))
Arena
60 by 20 m
Movements
  • Shoulder-in (épaule en dedans)
  • Trot half-pass and canter half-pass (appuyer au trot et au galop)
  • Rein-back (reculer), in the Grand Prix test
  • Walk half-pirouette (demi-pirouette au pas)
  • Canter half-pirouette (demi-pirouette au galop), in the Préliminaire (Prix St Georges text) and in test A (FEI 7-year-old text, 1 to 3 m diameter)
  • Counter-canter (contre-galop)
  • Tempi changes every fourth stride, 5 times, and every third stride, 5 times (changements de pied aux 4 temps, aux 3 temps), in tests Préliminaire and Grand Prix
  • Extended trot, extended canter and extended walk (trot allongé, galop allongé, pas allongé)
  • Volte
Gaits
Collected walk (pas rassemblé), Extended walk (pas allongé), Collected trot (trot rassemblé), Medium trot (trot moyen), Extended trot (trot allongé), Collected canter (galop rassemblé), Extended canter (galop allongé)
Eligibility
Art 4.1: Amateur competition licence (LFC Amateur), minimum age 10, and Galop 7 (the FFE rider grade) as Galop 7 de Cavalier, Galop 7 de Dressage or Galop 7 de compétition (Dressage, CSO show jumping, CCE eventing or Hunter).
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
FFE Art 2.2 codes: Amateur Elite A is coded 'A8 A FEI' (the FEI 7-year-old Preliminary text), Amateur Elite Préliminaire 'A7 St Georges FEI' (FEI Prix St Georges, also the Young Riders Team test), Amateur Elite Grand Prix 'A6 FEI' (FEI Young Riders Individual) and Amateur Elite Libre 'Lib St Georges FEI' (an FEI Intermediate I level freestyle, although it is labelled 'Libre ST GEORGES').
Notes
Amateur Elite is the Prix St Georges level of the Amateur division. Its tests are the same PDFs as Pro 2 A and Pro 2 Préliminaire.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 9 because the tests use FEI texts: the 7-year-old Preliminary (test A), Prix St Georges or Young Riders Team (Préliminaire) and Young Riders Individual (Grand Prix), with canter half-pirouettes and tempi changes every fourth and every third stride.

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Pro 3 Rung 9 7 tests
Rungs covered
Pro 3 A and Pro 3 B (rung 8: Advanced Medium or FEI Junior level (canter half-passes, several changes, walk half-pirouettes)); Pro 3 Préliminaire and Grand Prix (FEI 7-year-old tests) (rung 9: Small Tour entry, Prix St. Georges or Young Riders (canter half-pirouettes, changes every fourth and third stride))
Arena
60 by 20 m
Movements
  • Shoulder-in (épaule en dedans)
  • Travers (tête au mur), in Pro 3 B
  • Trot half-pass and canter half-pass (appuyer au trot et au galop)
  • Rein-back (reculer), in test B
  • Single flying changes (changements de pied en l'air), 3 on the diagonal in Pro 3 A
  • Tempi changes every fourth stride, 3 times, and every third stride, 3 times (changements de pied aux 4 temps, aux 3 temps), in Pro 3 Grand Prix
  • Walk half-pirouette (demi-pirouette au pas), in test A
  • Canter half-pirouette of 1 to 3 m diameter (demi-pirouette au galop), in tests Préliminaire and Grand Prix
  • Extensions in trot, canter and walk (allongements trot, galop, pas)
  • Serpentine, in test B
  • Volte
Gaits
Collected walk (pas rassemblé), Extended walk (pas allongé), Collected trot (trot rassemblé), Medium trot (trot moyen), Extended trot (trot allongé), Collected canter (galop rassemblé), Medium canter (galop moyen), Extended canter (galop allongé)
Eligibility
Art 4.1, Pro division: Pro competition licence (LFC Pro), minimum age 14, and Galop 7 (the FFE rider grade) as Galop 7 de Cavalier, Galop 7 de Dressage or Galop 7 de compétition (Dressage, CSO show jumping, CCE eventing or Hunter). Riders with an Amateur licence (LFC Amateur) aged 18 and under may ride Pro tests.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
FFE Art 2.2: Pro 3 Préliminaire is coded 'A8 A FEI' and Pro 3 Grand Prix 'A8 B FEI' (the FEI 7-year-old horse tests, also used as 'Pro 7 ans'). Pro 3 A and Pro 3 B are texts written by the FFE ('Texte FFE').
Notes
Pro 3 sits between Amateur 1 and Prix St Georges (roughly the FEI 'Medium/Advanced Medium' type, with canter half-pirouettes and tempi changes every fourth and every third stride in the Grand Prix test).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 9 because Pro 3 Préliminaire and Grand Prix are the FEI 7-year-old tests, with canter half-pirouettes and 3 tempi changes every fourth and every third stride. Pro 3 A and Pro 3 B (FFE texts) ask for canter half-pass, single changes, walk half-pirouette and travers, which is rung 8, so the level straddles rungs 8 and 9.

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Pro 2 Rung 10 5 tests
Rungs covered
Pro 2 A (Prix St Georges) and Pro 2 Préliminaire (Young Riders Individual) (rung 9: Small Tour entry, Prix St. Georges or Young Riders (canter half-pirouettes, changes every fourth and third stride)); Pro 2 Grand Prix (Intermediate I) (rung 10: Intermediate I (full pirouettes, changes every third and second stride, canter zigzag))
Arena
60 by 20 m
Movements
  • Shoulder-in (épaule en dedans)
  • Trot half-pass and canter half-pass (appuyer au trot et au galop)
  • Rein-back (reculer), in the Intermediate I text
  • Walk half-pirouette (demi-pirouette au pas)
  • Canter half-pirouette or full pirouette (demi-pirouette au galop, pirouette au galop)
  • Counter-canter (contre-galop)
  • Tempi changes every fourth stride, 5 times, and every third stride, 5 times (changements de pied aux 4 temps, aux 3 temps), in the Prix St Georges and Young Riders texts
  • Tempi changes every third stride, 5 times, and every second stride, 7 times (changements de pied aux 3 temps, aux 2 temps), in Pro 2 Grand Prix (the Intermediate I text)
  • Extended trot, extended canter and extended walk (trot allongé, galop allongé, pas allongé)
  • Volte
Gaits
Collected walk (pas rassemblé), Extended walk (pas allongé), Collected trot (trot rassemblé), Medium trot (trot moyen), Extended trot (trot allongé), Collected canter (galop rassemblé), Extended canter (galop allongé)
Eligibility
Pro competition licence (LFC Pro), minimum age 14 and Galop 7 (see Pro 3). Riders with an Amateur licence (LFC Amateur) aged 18 and under are allowed. Pro 2 Grand Prix is also open to LFC Amateur riders, without points (Art 2.7).
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
FFE Art 2.2: Pro 2 A is coded 'A7 St Georges FEI' (FEI Prix St Georges, also the Young Riders Team test), Pro 2 Préliminaire 'A6 FEI Indiv JC' (FEI Young Riders Individual), Pro 2 Grand Prix 'A5 Inter 1 FEI' (FEI Intermediate I) and Pro 2 Libre 'Lib Inter 1 FEI' (FEI Intermediate I Freestyle).
Notes
Pro 2 is the Small Tour (Prix St Georges and Intermédiaire I).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 10 because Pro 2 Grand Prix is the FEI Intermediate I test. Pro 2 A is Prix St Georges and Pro 2 Préliminaire is Young Riders Individual, both rung 9, so the level straddles rungs 9 and 10.

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Pro 1 Rung 11 4 tests
Rungs covered
Pro 1 A (Intermediate A) and Pro 1 Préliminaire (Intermediate B) (rung 11: Medium Tour, Intermediate A and B (first piaffe and passage, one-tempi changes)); Pro 1 Grand Prix (Intermediate II) (rung 12: Big Tour: Intermediate II, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special)
Arena
60 by 20 m
Movements
  • Trot half-pass and canter half-pass (appuyer au trot et au galop)
  • Rein-back (reculer)
  • Canter pirouette (pirouette au galop)
  • Tempi changes every second stride, 7 times in Intermediate II, and every stride, 11 times in Intermediate II (changements de pied aux 2 temps, au temps)
  • One-tempi changes (changements de pied aux temps), present in Intermediate A and B, where the text reads 'aux temps' or 'au temps'
  • Piaffe (piaffer)
  • Passage
  • Extended trot, extended canter and extended walk (trot allongé, galop allongé, pas allongé)
Gaits
Collected walk (pas rassemblé), Extended walk (pas allongé), Collected trot (trot rassemblé), Extended trot (trot allongé), Collected canter (galop rassemblé), Medium canter (galop moyen), Extended canter (galop allongé), Passage, Piaffe (piaffer)
Eligibility
Pro competition licence (LFC Pro), minimum age 14 and Galop 7 (see Pro 3).
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
FFE Art 2.2: Pro 1 A is coded 'A4A Inter A FEI' (FEI Intermediate A), Pro 1 Préliminaire 'A4B Inter B FEI' (FEI Intermediate B) and Pro 1 Grand Prix 'A3 Inter 2 FEI' (FEI Intermediate II).
Notes
Pro 1 is the Medium Tour (Intermédiaire A, B and II) and brings the first piaffe and passage.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 11 because Pro 1 A is the FEI Intermediate A test and Pro 1 Préliminaire is Intermediate B. Pro 1 Grand Prix is Intermediate II, which is rung 12.

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Pro Elite Rung 12 4 tests
Rungs covered
Pro Elite (rung 12: Big Tour: Intermediate II, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special)
Arena
60 by 20 m
Movements
  • Trot half-pass and canter half-pass (appuyer au trot et au galop)
  • Zigzag canter half-passes (appuyers au galop en zigzag), in the Grand Prix: 5 half-passes either side of the centre line with a flying change at each change of direction, of 3, 6, 6, 6 and 3 strides
  • Zigzag trot half-passes (appuyers au trot en zigzag), in the Grand Prix Jeunes: 4 half-passes of 5 m either side of the centre line
  • Rein-back (reculer), in the Grand Prix test
  • Canter pirouettes (pirouettes au galop)
  • Tempi changes every second stride, 9 times, and every stride, 15 times (changements de pied aux 2 temps, au temps), in the Grand Prix
  • Piaffe (piaffer)
  • Passage
  • Extended trot, extended canter and extended walk (trot allongé, galop allongé, pas allongé)
Gaits
Collected walk (pas rassemblé), Extended walk (pas allongé), Collected trot (trot rassemblé), Extended trot (trot allongé), Collected canter (galop rassemblé), Extended canter (galop allongé), Passage, Piaffe (piaffer)
Eligibility
Pro competition licence (LFC Pro), minimum age 14 and Galop 7 (see Pro 3).
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
FFE Art 2.2: Pro Elite Grand Prix is coded 'A2 GP FEI' (FEI Grand Prix), Pro Elite Grand Prix Spécial 'A1 GPS FEI', Pro Elite Grand Prix Jeunes 'A2 GPJ FEI' (FEI Grand Prix 16-25, the under-25 test) and Pro Elite Libre 'Lib GP FEI' (FEI Grand Prix Freestyle).
Notes
Pro Elite is the Big Tour (Grand Prix).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 12 because the tests are the FEI Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix 16-25.

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Denmark – DRF

Official test index · 9 levels

Edition and verification notes

The current DRF tests are the 2025 edition, published as PDFs in the folder 'Nye protokoller 2025' on rideforbund.dk (the LD and LC files carry the suffix 'V3'). No new tests were added in 2025, but from September 2025 every existing test was adjusted to a new judging concept: a half 20 m circle in rising trot with stretching (coefficient 2) became the last movement before the final centre line in every test from LB1 upward, and the collective marks were changed. From 4 May 2026 the indicative riding time of all DRF tests from LB up to Grand Prix is 15 seconds longer. Kür programmes for Pony, Junior, Young Rider, Intermediare and Grand Prix sit in the folder 'Kür programmer 2026', while the LA and LA6 Kür files are dated 11 July 2022. Times and maximum marks quoted here were read from the PDFs on 29 September 2026.

LD Rung 1 2 tests
Rungs covered
LD (rung 1: Walk and trot only)
Arena
20 x 40 m arena only (B-bane, the short arena). LD1 and LD2 exist only as '- B' programmes.
Movements
  • Entry at medium walk (indridning i middelskridt), with no halt or salute at the start
  • Volte of 20 m in working trot
  • Change of rein across the diagonal (vend skråt igennem)
  • Two-loop serpentine in trot (slangegang 2 buer)
  • Transitions between trot and walk, including the transition to medium walk (overgang til middelskridt)
  • Final centre line, then leaving the arena in walk on a long rein (udridning i skridt for lange tøjler)
  • Rising trot (letridning) optional in all trot work
Gaits
Medium walk (middelskridt), Working trot (arbejdstrav)
Eligibility
Sværhedsgrad 0 (difficulty grade 0), open to horses and ponies. No qualification is needed to start at C, D or E shows (§57). The 'OUT' rule applies at D shows: a combination with 5 results of 68.000 % or more in a programme (and higher) is excluded from that programme (§60.2).
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None. LD is below any FEI test.
Notes
LD1 and LD2 contain walk and trot only, with no canter. The stated purpose of the tests is to make inexperienced riders and/or horses familiar with the most basic principles of dressage ('At gøre urutinerede ryttere og/eller heste fortrolige med dressurens mest grundlæggende principper'). LD1 has an indicative time of 3:00 and a maximum of 220 marks. LD2 has 3:30 and 250 marks. There is no halt or salute, as the test starts with entry at medium walk (indridning i middelskridt). Stildressur (style dressage) protocols also exist for LD1 and LD2.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 1 because the tests contain walk and trot only, with no canter and no halt.

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LC Rung 2 6 tests
Rungs covered
LC (rung 2: Introductory walk, trot and canter)
Arena
Every test exists in a 20 x 60 m version (A) and a 20 x 40 m version (B). Ponies ride the B version only.
Movements
  • Working canter (arbejdsgalop) on both reins, introduced at this level
  • Circles of 20 m in trot and canter, and in LC3 circles of 15 m in trot and canter (12 m for ponies), which the sheet marks as required for the first time (forlanges for første gang)
  • Serpentine (slangegang), with 4 loops in LC3 in the 20 x 60 m arena (A-bane)
  • Change of rein across the diagonal, and transitions from trot to canter and back to trot
  • Rising trot optional, and stretching on a long rein at the end
  • No halt or salute (parade, hilsen) in LC1 to LC3, as the horse enters at A in medium walk (middelskridt) in LC1 and LC2 or in working trot (arbejdstrav) in LC3 and goes straight into the test, which ends in medium walk on the centre line with 'Program afsluttet' (programme finished)
Gaits
Medium walk (middelskridt), Working trot (arbejdstrav), Working canter (arbejdsgalop)
Eligibility
Sværhedsgrad 0 (difficulty grade 0), open to horses and ponies. No qualification is needed for C, D or E shows. The 'OUT' rule (5 results of 68 % or more) applies at D shows.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None.
Notes
Indicative times and maximum marks: LC1-A 5:00 and 320, LC2-A 5:00 and 310 (LC2-B 4:30 and 300), LC3-A 5:00 and 320. The stated purpose is the same as for LD, inexperienced riders and/or horses ('urutinerede ryttere og/eller heste'). Only working gaits are asked, with no lengthenings, and there is no halt or salute in any LC test.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 2 because the tests add working canter, 20 m and 15 m circles and a serpentine, but no lengthenings.

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LB Rung 3 6 tests
Rungs covered
LB (rung 3: Preliminary or Training level (working gaits and lengthenings))
Arena
Every test exists in a 20 x 60 m version (A) and a 20 x 40 m version (B). Ponies ride the B version only.
Movements
  • New in LB1: voltes of 12 m in trot (12 m volter i trav), leg-yield in walk to both sides (schenkelvigning i skridt til begge sider), 20 m circle in trot with clear lengthening of the reins (stretching), voltes of 15 m in canter (15 m volter i galop), and halt (parade)
  • New in LB2: voltes of 12 m in canter, broken or zigzag leg-yield in walk (brudt schenkelvigning i skridt), simple change of canter lead through 6 to 8 trot steps (changer gennem travtrin), and halt
  • New in LB3: broken leg-yield in walk and halt
  • Trot with lengthened strides (trav med øget trinlængde), ridden rising, with a transition back to working trot
  • Canter with lengthened strides (galop med øget springlængde) with a transition back to working canter
  • Half 20 m circle in rising trot with stretching, added in September 2025 to all tests from LB1 upward
Gaits
Medium walk (middelskridt), Working trot (arbejdstrav), Trot with lengthened strides (trav med øget trinlængde), Working canter (arbejdsgalop), Canter with lengthened strides (galop med øget springlængde)
Eligibility
Sværhedsgrad 0 (difficulty grade 0) for horses and grade 1 for ponies. No qualification is needed for C, D or E shows. The 'OUT' rule applies at D shows.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None.
Notes
The stated purpose of LB1 is that the horse now shows trot and canter with lengthened strides while lengthening its frame. Rising trot (letridning) is still allowed. There is no rein-back (tilbagetrædning) and no shoulder-in (versade) at LB.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 3 (upper end) because the tests ask for lengthened trot and canter strides, leg-yield in walk, 12 m voltes, halt and, in LB2, a simple change through 6 to 8 trot steps.

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LA Rung 5 14 tests
Rungs covered
LA1 and LA2 (rung 4: Novice or First level (leg-yield, medium gaits, rein-back)); LA3 and LA4 (rung 5: Elementary or Second level (shoulder-in, collection begins, simple changes)); LA5 and LA6 (rung 6: Medium without flying changes, or FEI Pony level (trot half-pass, extended gaits))
Arena
20 x 60 m arena (A) for LA1 to LA5, with 20 x 40 m (B) versions for LA1 to LA4 and LA6. LA5 exists only as an A test. LA6 has separate horse (hest) and pony A versions plus an LA6-B pony test.
Movements
  • New in LA1: simple change through 4 to 6 trot steps (changer gennem travtrin), counter-canter on a straight line (kontragalop på lige linie), canter strike-off from walk (galopanspring fra skridt), medium trot (middeltrav), and halt followed by rein-back of one horse length (parade, tilbagetrædning 1 hestelængde)
  • New in LA2: leg-yield in trot (schenkelvigning i trav), voltes of 10 m in trot, and half-voltes of 10 m in canter
  • New in LA3: turn on the haunches (bagpartsvending), counter-canter on a circle (kontragalop på volte), and simple change through 6 to 8 walk steps (changer gennem skridt)
  • New in LA4: shoulder-in (versade) in trot
  • New in LA5: half-pass in trot (sidetraversade i trav), and extended walk, extended trot and extended canter (fri skridt, fri trav, fri galop)
  • New in LA6: walk half-pirouettes (½ pirouetter i skridt). LA6-B (pony) also lists voltes of 8 m in trot for ponies and half-pass in trot. LA6-A (horse and pony, identical pattern) contains shoulder-in and half-pass in trot, voltes of 10 m in trot and canter (8 m in the pony version), medium trot, extended walk, trot and canter, halt with rein-back of 4 steps (parade, 4 skridt tilbage), a serpentine with the second loop in counter-canter, and a simple change through 6 to 8 walk steps
  • Medium canter (middelgalop), present from LA1
  • Half 20 m circle in rising trot with stretching before the final centre line, added in 2025
Gaits
Medium walk (middelskridt), Extended walk (fri skridt), in LA5 and LA6, Working trot (arbejdstrav), Medium trot (middeltrav), Extended trot (fri trav), in LA5 and LA6, Working canter (arbejdsgalop), Medium canter (middelgalop), Extended canter (fri galop), in LA5 and LA6, Counter-canter (kontragalop), in LA1 to LA4 and LA6
Eligibility
Horses: LA1 to LA3 and the LA Kür are sværhedsgrad 1 (difficulty grade 1), and LA4 to LA6 and the LA6 Kür are grade 2. Ponies: LA1 and LA2 are grade 2, LA3 and LA4 grade 3, LA5 grade 4 and LA6 grade 5. From grade 4 ponies may ride in the 20 x 60 m arena (A-bane). A double bridle (kandar) is first allowed from grade 4 (DRF news, July 2025). No qualification is needed for C, D or E shows.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
The rulebook lists grade 1 (LA1 to LA3) together with the FEI 5-year-old tests (preliminary and final, indledende and finale). Grade 2 has no FEI tests listed alongside it.
Notes
LA is the broadest level, running from LA1 to LA6. Shoulder-in enters at LA4, trot half-pass and extended gaits at LA5, and walk half-pirouettes at LA6. Simple changes are ridden through trot in LA1 and through walk from LA3. There are no flying changes at LA. The first come at MB0. LA6-A exists as separate horse (hest) and pony sheets with the same 28-movement pattern and a maximum of 500 marks. They differ only in volte size (10 m for horses, 8 m for ponies) and indicative time (6:00 for horses, 6:30 for ponies). LA6-B has a time of 6:00 and a maximum of 510. The working LA6-A files on the index page are DRFLA6_HEST.PDF and DRFLA6_PONY.PDF. The 'DRF LA6 - A (hest) 2025.pdf' and '(pony) 2025.pdf' links on the same page are dead (404).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 5 because LA spans rungs 4 to 6. LA1 and LA2 (simple change through trot, counter-canter, medium trot, rein-back, leg-yield in trot) sit on rung 4, LA3 and LA4 (turn on the haunches, simple change through walk, shoulder-in) on rung 5, and LA5 and LA6 (trot half-pass, extended gaits, walk half-pirouettes) on rung 6.

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MB Rung 7 6 tests
Rungs covered
MB0, MB1 and MB2 (rung 7: Medium or Third level (single flying changes)); MB3 (rung 8: Advanced Medium or FEI Junior level (canter half-passes, several changes, walk half-pirouettes))
Arena
20 x 60 m arena (A). 20 x 40 m (B) versions exist only for MB1 and MB3.
Movements
  • New in MB0: single flying changes (enkelte galopchangementer), including a flying change on the diagonal and one out of counter-canter, walk half-pirouette ridden from collected walk (samlet skridt) into the half-pirouette and on into medium walk (middelskridt), shoulder-in (versade), trot half-pass (sidetraversade i trav), and collected gaits
  • MB1: single flying changes, such as the change at I or at L on the centre line (changement ved I, ved L), walk half-pirouette left and right in collected walk (halvpirouette til venstre/højre), shoulder-in, trot half-pass, and collected, medium and extended gaits
  • MB2: half-pass in trot and also in canter (canter half-pass to the centre line), single flying changes, walk half-pirouettes, and counter-canter
  • New in MB3: 3 flying changes on the diagonal with any number of strides between them (3 changementer på diagonalen med vilkårligt antal spring imellem), with a minimum of 3 strides between the changes, as an introduction to tempi changes, walk half-pirouettes in collected walk, and a volte of 8 m
  • Halt and rein-back of 4 steps (parade, 4 skridt tilbage) in MB1 (A and B) and MB3 (A and B), with no rein-back in MB0 or MB2. Every MB test opens and closes with halt and salute (parade, hilsen)
Gaits
Collected walk (samlet skridt), Medium walk (middelskridt), Extended walk (fri skridt), Collected trot (samlet trav), Medium trot (middeltrav), Extended trot (fri trav), Collected canter (samlet galop), Medium canter (middelgalop), Extended canter (fri galop), Counter-canter (kontragalop)
Eligibility
Horses: sværhedsgrad 3 (difficulty grade 3) for MB0 to MB3 and the MB Kür. To qualify for B shows and above (§56, horses), a combination needs, in at least grade 3 at C shows, 63 % at least 4 times or 65 % at least 2 times within 3 consecutive calendar years. Only classes ridden in the 20 x 60 m arena (A-bane) count. A double bridle is allowed from grade 4 only, so not yet at MB.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
The rulebook's grade 3 lists MB0 to MB3 alongside the FEI 6-year-old tests and the FEI Junior tests (FEI-PCJ, FEI-TCJ, FEI-ICJ and the FEI Junior Kür), so the DRF treats MB as Junior or Medium level.
Notes
MB1-A has an indicative time of 6:20 and a maximum of 540 marks. MB2-A has 6:30 and 530. The stated purpose of MB1 and MB2 is to confirm that the horse has met the aims set for the LA classes 4 to 6 ('At bekræfte, at hesten har opfyldt de mål, der blev stillet til LA klasserne fra 4 til 6'), showing a degree of collection, clear differences between the tempi, and lateral work. MB0 is the entry test into M level, with the first flying changes.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 7 because MB0 brings the first single flying changes, walk half-pirouettes, shoulder-in and trot half-pass, MB2 adds canter half-pass, and MB3 asks for 3 changes on the diagonal with at least 3 strides between them, which is rung 8. MB spans rungs 7 to 8, and the DRF lists MB with FEI Junior.

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MA Rung 9 2 tests
Rungs covered
MA (rung 9: Small Tour entry, Prix St. Georges or Young Riders (canter half-pirouettes, changes every fourth and third stride))
Arena
20 x 60 m arena (A) only.
Movements
  • MA1: 5 flying changes every fourth stride (5 changementer for hvert 4. spring), canter half-pirouette in collected canter (halvpirouette) with the correct number of strides being 3 to 4, entry in collected canter with halt and salute, shoulder-in, half-pass in trot and canter, volte of 8 m, and extended walk, trot and canter
  • MA2: 5 flying changes every third stride (5 changementer for hvert 3. spring) in addition to the four-tempi changes, canter half-pirouettes, counter-canter, shoulder-in, half-passes, and collected, medium and extended gaits
  • Halt, immobility and rein-back of 5 steps (parade, stilstand, 5 skridt tilbage) at C in MA2, with no rein-back in MA1
Gaits
Collected walk (samlet skridt), Medium walk (middelskridt), in MA2, Extended walk (fri skridt), Collected trot (samlet trav), Medium trot (middeltrav), in MA2, Extended trot (fri trav), Collected canter (samlet galop), Medium canter (middelgalop), in MA1, Extended canter (fri galop), Counter-canter (kontragalop), in MA2
Eligibility
MA1 is sværhedsgrad 4 (difficulty grade 4) and MA2 is grade 5, for horses. A double bridle is allowed from grade 4. Qualification for B shows applies as for grade 3 and up (§56).
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
Grade 4 (MA1) is listed with the FEI Young Riders Preliminary (FEI-PCY) and the FEI 7-year-old tests. Grade 5 (MA2) is listed with the Prix St. Georges, FEI-PSGTY, FEI-ICY (Young Riders Team and Individual) and the FEI Young Riders Kür. MA1 is therefore about Young Rider preliminary level and MA2 about Prix St. Georges level.
Notes
MA1-A has an indicative time of 6:00 and a maximum of 530 marks. MA2-A has 6:30 and 550. Both tests start with entry in collected canter (indridning i samlet galop), then halt, immobility and salute (parade, stilstand, hilsen). MA1 introduces canter half-pirouettes and four-tempi changes. MA2 adds three-tempi changes and a 5-step rein-back. MA1 and MA2 exist only as 20 x 60 m (A-bane) programmes.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 9 because MA1 asks for 5 four-tempi changes and canter half-pirouettes, and MA2 adds 5 three-tempi changes. The DRF places MA1 at about Young Riders Preliminary level and MA2 at about Prix St. Georges level.

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Prix St. Georges / Intermediare I (Lille Tour) Rung 9 3 tests
Rungs covered
Prix St. Georges (rung 9: Small Tour entry, Prix St. Georges or Young Riders (canter half-pirouettes, changes every fourth and third stride)); Intermediare I (rung 10: Intermediate I (full pirouettes, changes every third and second stride, canter zigzag))
Arena
20 x 60 m arena.
Movements
  • Prix St. Georges: shoulder-in, trot and canter half-passes, canter half-pirouettes, 5 four-tempi and 5 three-tempi changes, counter-canter, extended walk, trot and canter, and voltes of 8 m (the DRF Prix St. Georges 2025 follows the FEI Prix St. Georges pattern)
  • Intermediare I: canter zigzag half-pass (5 m each side of the centre line with a flying change at each change of direction), canter pirouettes, 5 flying changes every third stride (5 changementer for hvert 3. spring), 7 flying changes every second stride (7 changementer for hvert 2. spring), shoulder-in, half-passes and extended gaits (indicative time 6:00, maximum 540 marks)
  • Intermediare I Kür (freestyle to music)
Gaits
Collected walk (samlet skridt), Extended walk (fri skridt), Collected trot (samlet trav), Medium trot (middeltrav), Extended trot (fri trav), Collected canter (samlet galop), Extended canter (fri galop), Counter-canter (kontragalop)
Eligibility
Prix St. Georges and the Prix St. Georges Kür are sværhedsgrad 5 (difficulty grade 5) for horses, and Intermediare I and the Intermediare I Kür are grade 6. For ponies, grade 5 covers LA6 and PRI, and grade 6 covers PRM, PRT and the FEI Pony Kür.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
Prix St. Georges corresponds to the FEI Prix St. Georges (grade 5, listed alongside FEI-PSGTY and FEI-ICY), and Intermediare I to the FEI Intermediate I (grade 6). The DRF's Danish-language protocols are translations of the FEI tests (DRF news, June 2020: 'Små rettelser i nogle af de sværeste dressurprogrammer i henhold til FEI', small corrections to some of the hardest dressage programmes in line with the FEI).
Notes
The DRF Prix St. Georges 2025 has 28 movements, an indicative time of 6:20 and a maximum of 550 marks. Compared with the FEI Prix St. Georges sheet (edition 2009, update 2026, 26 movements), DRF movements 1 to 25 follow the FEI pattern movement for movement (shoulder-in, 8 m voltes, trot and canter half-passes, walk half-pirouettes, canter half-pirouettes of 3 to 4 strides, 5 four-tempi, 5 three-tempi and extended gaits). The DRF then inserts a transition to collected trot at A and the DRF half 20 m circle in rising trot with stretching (movements 26 and 27) before the final halt, so it is not a literal copy of the FEI test. Intermediare I contains 5 three-tempi and 7 two-tempi changes and the zigzag.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 9 because Prix St. Georges sits on rung 9 and Intermediare I on rung 10, both being DRF translations of the FEI tests.

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Intermediare A / Intermediare B / Svær Intermediare I (Medium Tour) Rung 11 3 tests
Rungs covered
Intermediare A, B and Svær Intermediare I (Medium Tour) (rung 11: Medium Tour, Intermediate A and B (first piaffe and passage, one-tempi changes))
Arena
20 x 60 m arena.
Movements
  • Intermediare A: passage, piaffe, canter pirouettes, tempi changes, half-passes and extended gaits (indicative time 5:40, maximum 550 marks), a DRF translation of the FEI Intermediate A
  • Intermediare B: passage, piaffe, one-tempi changes (changementer for hvert spring), pirouettes, shoulder-in and half-passes (indicative time 6:15, maximum 580 marks), a DRF translation of the FEI Intermediate B
  • Svær Intermediare I ('Heavy Inter I', a DRF-specific test): passage, piaffe of 7 to 8 steps (trin) with 1 m forward allowed, transitions from collected walk to piaffe to collected trot, 7 flying changes every second stride (7 changementer for hvert andet spring), 5 flying changes every stride (5 changementer for hvert spring), canter half-pirouettes and shoulder-in (indicative time 8:30, maximum 570 marks)
Gaits
Collected walk (samlet skridt), Extended walk (fri skridt), Collected trot (samlet trav), Extended trot (fri trav), Collected canter (samlet galop), Extended canter (fri galop), Passage, Piaffe
Eligibility
Sværhedsgrad 7 (difficulty grade 7), horses only, with no pony tests.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
Intermediare A corresponds to the FEI Intermediate A and Intermediare B to the FEI Intermediate B. Svær Intermediare I is a DRF national test with no direct FEI counterpart, as it contains piaffe, passage and one-tempi changes and so sits between Intermediate I and Intermediate II.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 11 because Intermediare A and B are the FEI tests of that name and Svær Intermediare I asks for piaffe of 7 to 8 steps, 7 two-tempi and 5 one-tempi changes.

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Intermediare II / Grand Prix (Store Tour) Rung 12 5 tests
Rungs covered
Intermediare II and Grand Prix (Store Tour) (rung 12: Big Tour: Intermediate II, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special)
Arena
20 x 60 m arena.
Movements
  • Intermediare II: piaffe of 7 to 8 steps, passage, 7 flying changes every second stride and 11 flying changes every stride (7 changementer for hvert 2. spring, 11 changementer for hvert spring), canter pirouettes, half-passes, shoulder-in and extended gaits, a DRF translation of the FEI Intermediate II
  • U25 Grand Prix, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special: piaffe, passage, one- and two-tempi changes, canter pirouettes, trot and canter half-passes and zigzag, and extended gaits, DRF translations of the FEI tests
  • Grand Prix Kür (freestyle to music)
Gaits
Collected walk (samlet skridt), Extended walk (fri skridt), Collected trot (samlet trav), Extended trot (fri trav), Collected canter (samlet galop), Extended canter (fri galop), Passage, Piaffe
Eligibility
Sværhedsgrad 8 (difficulty grade 8) for Intermediare II, U25 Grand Prix, Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and the Grand Prix Kür, horses only.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
Intermediare II corresponds to the FEI Intermediate II, U25 Grand Prix to the FEI Grand Prix 16 to 25, Grand Prix to the FEI Grand Prix, and Grand Prix Special to the FEI Grand Prix Special.
Notes
Indicative times and maximum marks: Intermediare II 5:55 and 540, U25 Grand Prix 6:30 and 600, Grand Prix 7:00 and 660, Grand Prix Special 7:10 and 670. Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and U25 Grand Prix each contain piaffe, passage, canter pirouettes, 9 flying changes every second stride and 15 flying changes every stride (9 changementer for hvert 2. spring, 15 changementer for hvert spring). Intermediare II has 7 two-tempi and 11 one-tempi changes. The DRF sheets were not compared movement for movement with the FEI sheets, so the FEI equivalence rests on the rulebook table.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 12 because Intermediare II, U25 Grand Prix, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special are the FEI tests of those names.

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United States – USEF/USDF (2023 tests)

Official test index · 6 levels

Edition and verification notes

The current tests are the 2023 USEF/USDF tests, in force from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2026. New tests take effect on 1 December 2026 and had not yet been published when this was compiled. The official sheets are published on the USDF website. The Introductory Level tests are issued by USDF and the Training to Fourth Level tests are USEF tests (USDF issues and approves tests in cooperation with USEF under USEF rule DR118). Under USEF rule DR126 the standard arena is 20 x 60 m and the small arena 20 x 40 m. A standard arena is required from First Level upwards and for qualifying and championship classes at all levels, and where the size is optional the prize list must state it.

Introductory Level Rung 2 3 tests
Rungs covered
Introductory Tests A and B (rung 1: Walk and trot only); Introductory Test C (rung 2: Introductory walk, trot and canter)
Arena
20 x 40 m or 20 x 60 m (the test sheets say 'Standard or Small'). Test A is timed at 5:00 in the standard arena and 4:00 in the small arena, Test C at 6:00 and 5:00.
Purpose
To introduce the rider and/or horse to the sport of dressage, confirming that they are beginning to develop an understanding of correct dressage basics. The test sheet adds that the horse should be ridden freely forward in a steady tempo with a clear rhythm, accepting contact with the bit, and that accuracy and geometry of the test should be demonstrated.
Movements
  • Halt and salute through medium walk at X (Test A: halt at X on the final centre line only; Tests B and C: halt at entry and exit)
  • 20 m circles in rising working trot
  • Change of rein across the diagonal in working trot (Tests A and C)
  • Medium walk
  • Free walk on a long or short diagonal (for example H-X-F, F-E or B-H)
  • Test C adds: 20 m circle developing working canter on each lead in the first quarter of the circle, then back to trot before A
  • All trot work ridden rising (sitting permitted briefly for transitions)
Gaits
Medium walk, Free walk, Working trot (rising), Working canter (Test C only)
Eligibility
Open, and intended for riders and/or horses new to dressage. Under USEF rule DR119 a horse may enter no more than two consecutive levels at any one competition. No age restriction for this level was found, but this is not verified from an official source.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None, as this level is below FEI. These are walk and trot (and canter) introductory tests with no FEI counterpart.
Notes
Maximum points: Tests A and B 160, Test C 200. Test A has 9 movements. Test B has 9 movements, with 20 m circles at E and B and the free walk from F to E. Test C has 13 movements. The purpose statement is quoted from the 2023 Introductory Test A sheet and from USDF's 'Introducing the 2023 Dressage Tests'. USDF also prints an older and longer Introductory purpose in its Teaching Manual appendix (purposeoftests.pdf), which is from a pre-2023 edition.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 2 because Tests A and B are walk and trot only (rung 1), while Test C adds working canter on 20 m circles (rung 2). The level spans rungs 1 to 2.

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Training Level Rung 3 3 tests
Rungs covered
Training Level (rung 3: Preliminary or Training level (working gaits and lengthenings))
Arena
20 x 40 m or 20 x 60 m (the test sheets say 'Standard or Small'). Test 1 is timed at 5:00 in the standard arena and 4:00 in the small arena, Tests 2 and 3 at 5:30 and 4:30.
Purpose
To confirm that the horse demonstrates correct basics, by showing suppleness both laterally and longitudinally, moving freely forward in a clear rhythm with a steady tempo, and readily accepting contact with the bit.
Movements
  • Halt and salute at X on entry and exit (Test 1 enters in working trot, halts, then proceeds in working trot)
  • 20 m circles in working trot and working canter
  • Working canter departs on both leads (Test 1: developed within a 20 m circle; Tests 2 and 3: between letters on the long side or short side)
  • Change of rein across the diagonal in working trot
  • Medium walk and free walk on a diagonal (Test 1: E-F; Test 2: medium walk F-E then free walk E-M; Test 3: free walk K-X-H)
  • Test 2 adds: 20 m 'stretchy' circle in rising trot, allowing the horse to stretch forward and downward while keeping the contact, then shortening the reins
  • Test 3 adds: single loops (shallow serpentine loops) H-X-K and M-X-F in working trot, canter departs between A and F and between A and K, and a stretchy circle at the end
  • Trot ridden rising or sitting except where 'rising' is specified (the stretching circle)
Gaits
Medium walk, Free walk, Working trot, Working canter
Eligibility
Open. Under USEF rule DR119 a horse may enter no more than two consecutive levels at one competition.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None, as this level is below FEI. Roughly comparable to other nations' entry or preliminary levels ridden in working gaits.
Notes
Maximum points: Test 1 260, Test 2 290, Test 3 250. Changes in the 2023 edition: in Test 1 the medium walk transition is now 'between' letters, Test 2 is unchanged, and in Test 3 the three-loop serpentine was removed and the shallow loops restored (USDF, 'Introducing the 2023 Dressage Tests').
Why this rung
Placed on rung 3 because the tests ask for working gaits, 20 m circles, free walk, a stretching circle and single loops, with no lengthening other than the free walk.

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First Level Rung 4 3 tests
Rungs covered
First Level (rung 4: Novice or First level (leg-yield, medium gaits, rein-back))
Arena
20 x 60 m only (the test sheets say 'ARENA SIZE: Standard'). Tests 1 and 2 are timed at 5:30, Test 3 at 6:00.
Purpose
To confirm that the horse demonstrates correct basics, and in addition to the requirements of Training Level, has developed improved balance, lateral suppleness and throughness, as well as the thrust to perform lengthenings of stride. The horse should be on the bit.
Movements
  • Lengthened strides in trot across the diagonal or on the long side (all three tests)
  • 10 m half-circles and 10 m circles in trot (Test 1: half-circles at E and B; Test 3: 10 m circles at I)
  • 15 m canter circles
  • Stretching 20 m circle in rising trot (Tests 1, 2 and 3)
  • Free walk on a diagonal and medium walk
  • Test 2 adds: leg-yield from the centre line to the track (L-M, L-H) and lengthened strides in canter (P-M, V-H) with working canter developed afterwards
  • Test 3 adds: leg-yield from the quarter line to X (V-I, P-I), single loop in canter K-X-H and F-X-M keeping the lead (introducing counter-canter), lengthened strides in canter, and change of lead through trot at X
  • Test 1 has no canter lengthening (removed in 2023) and no leg-yield
Gaits
Medium walk, Free walk, Working trot, Lengthened strides in trot, Working canter, Lengthened strides in canter (Tests 2 and 3)
Eligibility
Open. Under USEF rule DR119 a horse may enter no more than two consecutive levels at one competition.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None, as this level is below FEI.
Notes
Maximum points: Test 1 270, Test 2 330, Test 3 360. Changes in the 2023 edition: canter lengthenings removed from Test 1, the Test 2 leg-yield now approached by turning up the centre line, and the Test 3 gait order changed to trot, canter, walk, trot, canter. The single canter loop in Test 3 is the horse's first exposure to counter-canter.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 4 because the tests ask for lengthened trot and canter, leg-yield, 10 m circles, 15 m canter circles, a single canter loop (counter-canter) and a change of lead through trot.

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Second Level Rung 5 3 tests
Rungs covered
Second Level (rung 5: Elementary or Second level (shoulder-in, collection begins, simple changes))
Arena
20 x 60 m only (the test sheets say 'ARENA SIZE: Standard'). Test 1 is timed at 5:20, Tests 2 and 3 at 6:00.
Purpose
To confirm that the horse demonstrates correct basics, and now begins to accept more weight on the hindquarters as the collected and medium gaits develop. A greater degree of straightness, throughness, and balance are required to perform the movements with ease and self-carriage.
Movements
  • Collected trot and collected canter (the first level requiring collection; the test is entered in collected trot)
  • Medium trot and medium canter with transitions back to collected
  • Shoulder-in in trot (all three tests)
  • Counter-canter (Tests 1 and 2: change of rein, then counter-canter along the long side)
  • 10 m circles in trot and canter (Test 1: 10 m canter circles at C)
  • Free walk and medium walk
  • Test 1 adds: halt and rein-back of 3 to 4 steps at C, medium trot, shoulder-in, counter-canter and 10 m canter circles
  • Test 2 adds: travers (haunches-in) in trot, half turn on the haunches in walk (left and right), three-loop serpentine in canter with simple changes of lead over the centre line, 10 m half-circles in trot and counter-canter, with no rein-back (removed in 2023)
  • Test 3 adds: shoulder-in followed by a 10 m circle then travers, rein-back of 3 to 4 steps, half turns on the haunches, three-loop canter serpentines without change of lead (counter-canter), and simple changes through trot across the diagonal
Gaits
Medium walk, Free walk, Collected trot, Medium trot, Collected canter, Medium canter, Counter-canter
Eligibility
Open. Under USEF rule DR119 a horse may enter no more than two consecutive levels at one competition.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None, as this level is below FEI. It is the first level with collected gaits.
Notes
Maximum points: Test 1 350, Test 2 390, Test 3 420. Simple changes at this level are ridden through trot (the Test 2 serpentine and the Test 3 diagonals say 'simple change of lead (through trot)'). Changes in the 2023 edition: the Test 1 ending was shortened, in Test 2 the medium trot was placed before the lateral work and the rein-back removed, and 'shorten stride in walk' before the canter departs was replaced by 'collect'. A plain snaffle bridle is required in the warm-up and in competition, and a double bridle is not permitted at Second Level (USEF DR121.3.j.1: 'For Tests at Second Level and below ... a plain snaffle bridle is required'; the double bridle is allowed from Third Level under DR121.3.j.2).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 5 (upper part) because the tests ask for collected and medium gaits, shoulder-in, travers, rein-back, half turn on the haunches, counter-canter and simple changes through trot.

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Third Level Rung 7 3 tests
Rungs covered
Third Level (rung 7: Medium or Third level (single flying changes))
Arena
20 x 60 m only (the test sheets say 'ARENA SIZE: Standard'). Test 1 is timed at 6:00, Test 2 at 5:35 and Test 3 at 6:00.
Purpose
To confirm that the horse demonstrates correct basics while maintaining consistent uphill balance and self-carriage. Increased engagement facilitates clear differences in collected, medium, and extended gaits with well-defined, balanced transitions.
Movements
  • Extended trot, extended canter and extended walk (the first level with extended gaits), plus medium and collected gaits
  • Half-pass in trot (all three tests; Test 1 from a 10 m half-circle V-L-H and P-L-M; Test 3 to the centre line B-G and E-G)
  • Single flying changes of lead (all three tests, with double coefficient in 2023)
  • Shoulder-in in trot
  • Half turn on the haunches in walk (all three tests)
  • Halt and rein-back of 4 steps (Tests 1 and 3)
  • 10 m circles and half-circles in trot and canter
  • Test 1: shoulder-in, trot half-pass, rein-back, extended walk, half turns on the haunches, medium canter, 10 m canter circles followed by a flying change, extended canter and extended trot
  • Test 2 adds: renvers in trot (B-M, E-H), canter half-pass from the centre line (A-D-R, A-D-S) followed by a flying change, a 20 m canter circle with a clear release of both reins for 4 to 5 strides ('give and retake'), extended walk and extended canter
  • Test 3 adds: trot half-pass to the centre line, canter half-pass to X then a 10 m half-circle and flying change (F-X-I and I-S-F pattern), rein-back and extended gaits
Gaits
Medium walk, Collected walk (implied by the half turns; the sheets say 'medium walk'), Extended walk, Collected trot, Medium trot, Extended trot, Collected canter, Medium canter, Extended canter
Eligibility
Open. Under USEF rule DR119 a horse may enter no more than two consecutive levels at one competition. The test sheets print 'Double Bridle Optional' from Third Level.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None directly. The level introduces the flying changes, half-pass and extended gaits that form the basis of the FEI Prix St. Georges.
Notes
Maximum points: Test 1 370, Test 2 380, Test 3 400. Changes in the 2023 edition: all flying changes carry coefficient 2, otherwise the changes are minimal. Walk turns at this level are 'half turn on haunches', not half-pirouettes (those appear at Fourth Level).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 7 because the tests ask for trot half-pass, single flying changes (all tests), extended gaits, renvers (Test 2), canter half-pass from the centre line with a flying change (Tests 2 and 3), half turn on the haunches and rein-back of 4 steps.

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Fourth Level Rung 9 3 tests
Rungs covered
Fourth Level Test 1 (rung 8: Advanced Medium or FEI Junior level (canter half-passes, several changes, walk half-pirouettes)); Fourth Level Tests 2 and 3 (rung 9: Small Tour entry, Prix St. Georges or Young Riders (canter half-pirouettes, changes every fourth and third stride))
Arena
20 x 60 m only (the test sheets say 'ARENA SIZE: Standard'). Each test is timed at 6:00.
Purpose
To confirm that the horse demonstrates correct basics, and has developed sufficient throughness, suppleness, balance, and impulsion to perform with ease the exercises at this medium level of difficulty.
Movements
  • Entry in collected canter with halt and salute (all three tests)
  • Collected walk and extended walk (all three tests), with walk half-pirouettes (Tests 1 and 2)
  • Trot half-pass (all tests; Test 1: K-X half-pass right, X-H half-pass left), shoulder-in, extended and medium trot, collected trot
  • Canter half-pass (all tests; Test 1 from the centre line D-B and D-E into counter-canter, then flying change)
  • Single flying changes of lead and tempi changes
  • Test 1: three single flying changes on the diagonal K-X-M (near the first quarter line, near X and near the last quarter line), a 20 m circle with 5 to 6 strides of very collected canter, counter-canter and extended canter
  • Test 2: counter change of hand in trot (D-E half-pass left, E-G half-pass right) and in canter (D-B half-pass right, flying change at B, B-G half-pass left), working canter pirouettes right and left, three flying changes of lead every fourth stride, flying change after extended canter, and extended trot
  • Test 3: working half-pirouettes in canter of about 3 m diameter, three flying changes of lead every third stride, canter half-pass to X followed by a 10 m half-circle, halt and rein-back of 4 steps, extended walk on a 20 m half-circle, and extended canter with flying change
  • No zigzag half-pass (three or more half-passes) in any 2023 Fourth Level test, with single changes of direction in half-pass only (Test 1 trot K-X right and X-H left; Test 2 counter change of hand in trot and canter)
Gaits
Collected walk, Extended walk, Collected trot, Medium trot, Extended trot, Collected canter, Medium canter, Extended canter, Very collected canter (Test 1), Counter-canter
Eligibility
Under USEF rule DR119 a horse competing at Fourth Level must be at least six years old (the same minimum as for the FEI Children, Pony and Junior tests). Prix St. Georges and Intermediate I require seven years, and tests above Intermediate I eight years. A double bridle is optional.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
The highest US national level, directly preceding the FEI Prix St. Georges. USEF rule DR118.2 describes the Prix St. Georges as a 'Test of medium standard. This test represents the medium stage of training', and the Fourth Level purpose uses the same 'medium level of difficulty' wording. Fourth Level is therefore preparation for, and roughly equivalent in demand to, the Prix St. Georges (working pirouettes, four- and three-tempi changes).
Notes
Maximum points: Test 1 380, Test 2 380, Test 3 360. Changes in the 2023 edition: in Test 1 the shoulder-in moved to the rail, in Test 2 the extended canter was placed before the working pirouettes and the canter half-passes gained a double coefficient, and Test 3 was redesigned (shorter canter tour, half-pass to the centre line followed by a half-pirouette on the diagonal, extended trot transitions with double coefficient). Above Fourth Level, US competitions use the FEI tests (Prix St. Georges, Intermediate I, Intermediate A and B, Intermediate II, Grand Prix), plus the USEF Developing Prix St. Georges, Developing Grand Prix and young horse tests.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 9 (lower part) because Test 1 has three single changes on the diagonal, canter half-pass and walk half-pirouettes (rung 8), while Test 2 adds working pirouettes and three four-tempi changes and Test 3 working half-pirouettes and three three-tempi changes (rung 9). USEF calls this a 'medium level of difficulty', about the same as preparation for Prix St. Georges.

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Japan – JEF

Official test index · 7 levels

Edition and verification notes

The current JEF national tests (JEF馬場馬術競技課目) were introduced on 14 November 2022, replacing the former A1 to A5, L1 to L2, M1 to M2 and S1 to S2 tests. The sheets now in force are the revisions of 1 April 2026, which changed the collective marks and notes but not the routes, so the movement content here was read from the 14 November 2022 sheets. The official sheets are published on the JEF download page, and the dressage rules are Part 4 of the 38th edition of the JEF competition rules (JEF競技会規程), in force from 1 April 2026. Above JEF Test 5, Japan uses the FEI tests in Japanese translation (2026 editions).

JEF Test 1 (Level 1) JEF 馬場馬術競技 第１課目 Rung 1 2 tests
Rungs covered
JEF Test 1 (rung 1: Walk and trot only)
Arena
20 x 40 m
Movements
  • Halt and salute (3 seconds of immobility)
  • 20 m circles in working trot
  • 10 m half-circle in trot
  • Lengthened strides (歩幅を伸ばした) in trot on the diagonal
  • Lengthened strides in walk on the diagonal
  • Rising trot (軽速歩) permitted
Gaits
Working trot, Lengthened trot, Medium walk, Lengthened walk
Eligibility
Entry-level JEF test, new in 2022 (新設). Riders need a JEF rider licence for JEF-sanctioned shows, but the details are not verified from an official source.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None, as this level is below FEI. Roughly comparable to an introductory walk and trot level with some lengthening.
Notes
No canter required. 11 movements, maximum 130 points, reference time 3 minutes 45 seconds.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 1 (upper part) because there is no canter. The test asks for working trot, lengthened trot and walk, and a 10 m half-circle.

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JEF Test 2 (Level 2, sub-tests A–E) JEF 馬場馬術競技 第２課目 A / B / C / D / E Rung 4 10 tests
Rungs covered
JEF 2A and 2B (rung 3: Preliminary or Training level (working gaits and lengthenings)); JEF 2C and 2D (rung 4: Novice or First level (leg-yield, medium gaits, rein-back)); JEF 2E (rung 5: Elementary or Second level (shoulder-in, collection begins, simple changes))
Arena
20 x 40 m
Movements
  • Test 2A: working canter on both leads, 20 m circles, lengthened trot and walk, 10 m half-circle in trot
  • Test 2B: three-loop serpentine in trot, 20 m canter circles, lengthened canter
  • Test 2C: 10 m trot circles, 15 m canter circles, medium canter, simple changes through 20 m half-circles
  • Test 2D: leg-yield (脚を用いた横歩) in both directions, 10 m trot circles, free walk, medium canter, halt and rein-back
  • Test 2E: collected trot, walk and canter, medium trot and canter, 10 m circle, halt and rein-back of 3 to 4 steps, 10 m half-circles to counter-canter, simple changes, stretching trot on a 20 m half-circle
Gaits
Working walk, trot and canter, Medium walk, Free walk, Lengthened and medium trot and canter, Collected gaits (partly in 2D, fully in 2E)
Eligibility
Open classes at JEF-sanctioned shows. Used for the lower classes of regional and prefectural shows and for events of the National Sports Festival (国民スポーツ大会) type. Which sub-test each event uses is not verified from an official source.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None. Tests 2A to 2C are about training or novice level, and Tests 2D and 2E about first level or elementary (leg-yield, rein-back, counter-canter, simple changes).
Notes
Tests 2A to 2E replaced the former A1 to A5 tests. Reference times 3 minutes 30 seconds to 4 minutes 30 seconds. Maximum points 130 (2A and 2B), 160 (2C), 190 (2D) and 200 (2E). Test 2E is the first collected test and the last one ridden in a 20 x 40 m arena.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 4 because 2A and 2B ask for working canter and lengthened trot and canter (rung 3), 2C for 10 m trot circles, 15 m canter circles and simple changes through half-circles, 2D for leg-yield, rein-back and medium canter (rung 4), and 2E for collected gaits, counter-canter, simple changes and rein-back (rung 5). The level spans rungs 3 to 5.

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JEF Test 3 (Level 3, sub-tests A/B) JEF 馬場馬術競技 第３課目 A / B Rung 6 4 tests
Rungs covered
JEF 3A (rung 5: Elementary or Second level (shoulder-in, collection begins, simple changes)); JEF 3B (rung 6: Medium without flying changes, or FEI Pony level (trot half-pass, extended gaits))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • Shoulder-in (肩を内へ) on both reins
  • Turn on the haunches (3A)
  • 10 m half-circles (3A) and 8 m circles (3B)
  • Three-loop canter serpentine with simple changes (3A)
  • Counter-canter through a 20 m half-circle
  • Simple changes
  • Medium trot and medium canter
  • Extended walk
  • Test 3B adds: trot half-pass in both directions, canter half-pass, halt and rein-back of 4 steps, walk half-pass
Gaits
Collected walk, trot and canter, Medium walk, trot and canter, Extended walk, Free walk
Eligibility
Used, for example, for the Japanese-bred horse (内国産馬) third-level classes at the All-Japan Dressage Championship Part II 2026 (crane.jp results page).
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None directly. About second level or elementary to medium. Test 3B is close to FEI Children or medium-type content without flying changes.
Notes
Tests 3A and 3B replaced the former L1 and L2 tests. 19 movements each. Test 3A has a maximum of 260 points and a time of 5 minutes, Test 3B a time of 4 minutes 45 seconds. No flying changes.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 6 because 3A asks for shoulder-in, turn on the haunches, counter-canter and simple changes (rung 5), and 3B adds trot, canter and walk half-pass and rein-back of 4 steps, without flying changes (rung 6). The level spans rungs 5 to 6.

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JEF Test 4 (Level 4, sub-tests A/B) JEF 馬場馬術競技 第４課目 A / B Rung 8 4 tests
Rungs covered
JEF Test 4 (rung 8: Advanced Medium or FEI Junior level (canter half-passes, several changes, walk half-pirouettes))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • Shoulder-in
  • Trot half-pass in both directions
  • Canter half-pass in both directions
  • Walk half-pirouettes (4A)
  • 8 m circles (4B)
  • Counter-canter followed by single flying changes
  • Flying changes on the diagonal
  • Extended trot and extended canter
  • Extended walk
  • Entry in collected canter
Gaits
Collected walk, trot and canter, Medium trot and canter, Extended walk, trot and canter
Eligibility
Used, for example, for the Japanese-bred horse (内国産馬) fourth-level classes at the All-Japan Dressage Championship Part II 2026.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
About FEI Junior or third level (single flying changes, half-pass, walk pirouettes).
Notes
Tests 4A and 4B replaced the former M1 and M2 tests. Test 4A has 19 movements, 250 points and a time of 5 minutes. Test 4B has 18 movements, 250 points and a time of 4 minutes 45 seconds.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 8 because the tests ask for trot and canter half-pass in both directions, single flying changes (on the diagonal and out of counter-canter), walk half-pirouettes (4A), extended gaits and an entry in collected canter. This sits on the boundary of rungs 7 and 8 and is about FEI Junior content.

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JEF Test 5 (Level 5, sub-tests A/B) JEF 馬場馬術競技 第５課目 A / B Rung 9 4 tests
Rungs covered
JEF Test 5 (rung 9: Small Tour entry, Prix St. Georges or Young Riders (canter half-pirouettes, changes every fourth and third stride))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • Shoulder-in
  • Trot half-pass
  • Canter half-pass with flying change
  • Canter half-pirouettes in both directions
  • Walk half-pirouettes (5B)
  • Three flying changes every fourth stride (5A and 5B)
  • Three flying changes every third stride (5B)
  • Extended trot, canter and walk
  • Rein-back (5A, at the exit)
Gaits
Collected walk, trot and canter, Medium walk, Extended walk, trot and canter
Eligibility
Used, for example, for the Japanese-bred horse (内国産馬) fifth-level classes at the All-Japan Dressage Championship Part II 2026. This is the highest JEF domestic test.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
About FEI Young Rider or Prix St-Georges (canter half-pirouettes, four- and three-tempi changes). The content is Prix St-Georges-like, although 5A has no three-tempi changes.
Notes
Tests 5A and 5B replaced the former S1 and S2 tests. Test 5A has 19 movements, 270 points and a time of 5 minutes. Test 5B has 23 movements, 310 points and a time of 5 minutes 30 seconds.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 9 because the tests ask for canter half-pirouettes, three four-tempi changes (5A and 5B), three three-tempi changes (5B), canter half-pass with flying change and walk half-pirouettes.

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JEF Prix St-Georges Freestyle JEF セントジョージ賞典 自由演技 (JEF Freestyle St. George) Rung 9 1 tests
Rungs covered
JEF PSG Freestyle (rung 9: Small Tour entry, Prix St. Georges or Young Riders (canter half-pirouettes, changes every fourth and third stride))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • Collected walk (収縮常歩), minimum 20 m
  • Extended walk (伸長常歩), minimum 20 m, coefficient 2
  • Shoulder-in right and left in collected trot, minimum 12 m
  • Half-pass right and left in collected trot, coefficient 2 each
  • Extended trot
  • Half-pass right and left in collected canter
  • Extended canter
  • Flying changes every fourth stride, minimum 5 in a row
  • Flying changes every third stride, minimum 5 in a row
  • Canter half-pirouette right and left, coefficient 2 each
  • Entry and halts at the beginning and end
Gaits
Collected walk, Extended walk, Collected trot, Extended trot, Collected canter, Extended canter
Eligibility
A recognised (認定) class of the St-Georges class (セントジョージクラス) together with the FEI Prix St-Georges. The rider must hold JEF rider qualification grade B (B級) or higher and the horse must be JEF-registered (公認競技会規程 第19版, Art. 13 and 14). At the All-Japan Dressage Championship it is the final of the Prix St-Georges class: in 2026 Part I the top 15 of the FEI Prix St-Georges preliminary, and in 2026 Part II (the Japanese-bred horse championship) the top 10 with 60% or more in the FEI Prix St-Georges.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
JEF's own freestyle at FEI Prix St-Georges level (the FEI has no official Prix St-Georges freestyle).
Notes
Listed on the JEF download page as a JEF test (JEF課目). The sheet has been in force since 1 April 2007 and was last updated on 1 April 2026 (it was formerly the JEF 自由演技国体成年馬場馬術課目, the National Sports Festival senior freestyle). Time 4 minutes 30 seconds to 5 minutes. Technical marks 200 (15 movements) and artistic marks 200 (5 marks with coefficient 4, decimals of 0.1 allowed). 0.5% is deducted from the artistic score if the ride is over or under time.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 9 because it is a freestyle at Prix St-Georges level.

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FEI tests used in Japan (Junior, Young Rider, PSG, Inter I, Inter II, GP, GPS, GP FS) FEI ジュニア団体/自由演技, ヤングライダー団体/自由演技, セントジョージ賞典, インターメディエイトⅠ/Ⅰ自由演技, インターメディエイトⅡ, グランプリ, グランプリスペシャル, グランプリ自由演技 Rung 12 11 tests
Rungs covered
FEI Junior Team (rung 8: Advanced Medium or FEI Junior level (canter half-passes, several changes, walk half-pirouettes)); FEI Young Rider Team and Prix St-Georges (rung 9: Small Tour entry, Prix St. Georges or Young Riders (canter half-pirouettes, changes every fourth and third stride)); FEI Intermediate I (rung 10: Intermediate I (full pirouettes, changes every third and second stride, canter zigzag)); FEI Intermediate II, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special (rung 12: Big Tour: Intermediate II, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special)
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • As in the FEI tests (2009 editions with 2026 updates), with Intermediate II, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special adding piaffe, passage, one-tempi changes and full pirouettes
Gaits
Collected, medium and extended gaits as in the FEI tests
Eligibility
Recognised classes at JEF-sanctioned shows: the rider must hold JEF rider qualification grade B (B級) or higher and the horse must be JEF-registered (全日本馬場馬術大会出場資格取得に関する公認競技会規程 第19版, 1 April 2026, Art. 14). Places at the All-Japan Championship are awarded by horse and rider ranking, not by a fixed score. The ranking points are the average of the best three set-test results plus the best freestyle result, divided by four, in classes with a freestyle, or the average of the best three results, divided by three, otherwise (Art. 20). For 2026 Part I the ranking period ran from 22 September 2025 to 13 September 2026, with a set-test average of 60% or more and a placed start in the final test required. The quota is 20 pairs each for the Grand Prix championship and the Intermediate I class, and 30 for the Prix St-Georges class. The JEF dressage rules (38th edition) permit a snaffle or a double bridle in FEI tests.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
Identical to the FEI tests.
Notes
At the 78th All-Japan Dressage Championship 2026, Part I (6 to 8 November 2026, Gotemba) runs the championship on the FEI Grand Prix 2009 plus the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, the FEI Grand Prix Special 2009 (for Grand Prix pairs not in the freestyle), the Intermediate I class (FEI Intermediate I 2009, with the FEI Intermediate I Freestyle as final), the Prix St-Georges class (FEI Prix St-Georges 2009, with the JEF Prix St-Georges Freestyle as final) and the JEF Test 5, 4 and 3 classes (A as preliminary, B as final). Part II (22 to 24 May 2026, JRA Baji Koen, alongside the CDI3* and CDI1* Tokyo) is the Japanese-bred horse championship: FEI Prix St-Georges 2009 plus JEF Prix St-Georges Freestyle, and Japanese-bred JEF Test 5, 4 and 3 classes.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 12 because these are the FEI sheets in Japanese translation: Junior (rung 8), Young Rider and Prix St-Georges (rung 9), Intermediate I (rung 10), and Intermediate II, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special (rung 12).

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India – EFI

Official test index · 9 levels

Edition and verification notes

The current tests of the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) are those in its Technical Guidelines 2021 (117 pages), where dressage is covered by Articles 1 to 7 and the test sheets are printed as Appendices A to G. The PDF was re-uploaded in November 2025 at https://efinf.in/new/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/efiTehGuide.pdf, and the level names are listed at https://efinf.in/dressage/. The junior categories come from the National Qualifier Guidelines for JNEC and NTPC 2026 (https://efinf.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/NQ-Guidelines-for-JNEC-NTPC-2026.docx.pdf). A horse moves up a grade on reaching the set percentage (65 per cent at Preliminary and Elementary, 62 per cent with two Minimum Eligibility Requirements from Medium upwards) or compulsorily after two years at the two lowest grades. The older address efi-india.com does not resolve, and efinf.in is the working official site.

Children-II (JNEC) Dressage Test for Children - II Rung 2 1 tests
Rungs covered
Children-II (JNEC) (rung 2: Introductory walk, trot and canter)
Arena
20 by 60 metres (the size is not stated on the sheet; it is inferred from the letters R and I, which belong to the 20 by 60 arena)
Movements
  • Halt, immobility and salute at X and at I
  • Trot circles of 15 m on both reins (at E and B)
  • Change of rein from F through X to H in working trot (rising)
  • Transition to medium walk at A
  • Medium walk with lengthening of the frame (from K to B)
  • Working canter depart at C
  • Canter circles of 20 m on both leads
  • Half circles of 20 m left and right with change of hand through an S inside the 20 m circle, in working trot
  • No lateral work and no lengthenings
Gaits
Working trot (rising optional), Medium walk, Working canter
Eligibility
Riders aged 10 to 12 years. Horses must be at least 6 years old for children. Snaffle bridle only. A minimum score of 60 per cent at a National Qualifier is needed to enter the Junior National Equestrian Championship (JNEC).
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None. The test sits below the FEI Children level.
Notes
The test has 16 movements with a total of 160 marks, plus a separate Children quality marking sheet. The sheet header reads 'to be ridden in snaffle & rising trot optional'. The test is taken from Appendix B of the National Qualifier 2026 PDF and is the same test as the JNEC test printed in Appendix D of the Technical Guidelines 2021 (time 4 minutes).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 2 because the test uses walk, trot and canter with 15 m trot circles and 20 m canter circles, and has no lateral work.

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Children-I (JNEC) Children - 1 Dressage Test Rung 3 1 tests
Rungs covered
Children-I (JNEC) (rung 3: Preliminary or Training level (working gaits and lengthenings))
Arena
20 by 60 metres (the size is not stated on the sheet; it is inferred from the letters R and I, which belong to the 20 by 60 arena)
Movements
  • Enter in working trot, halt, immobility and salute at X
  • Trot circles of 12 m on both reins (at E and B)
  • Change of rein from F through X to H, with medium walk for 7 to 10 steps before X
  • Halt of 4 seconds at A, then proceed in medium walk
  • Change of rein from K to B in medium walk, lengthening the reins and allowing the horse to stretch on a long rein, then shortening the reins from B to R
  • Working canter departs at C and at A
  • Canter circles of 15 m on both reins (at E)
  • Serpentine of 4 loops from C to A in working trot (coefficient 2)
  • Down the centre line, halt, immobility and salute at I
  • No lengthened strides, no lateral work and no rein-back
Gaits
Working trot, Medium walk (including stretching on a long rein), Working canter
Eligibility
Riders aged 12 to 14 years. Horses must be at least 6 years old. Snaffle bridle only. A minimum score of 60 per cent at a National Qualifier is needed.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None stated. The 2026 sheet is identical to the EFI senior Preliminary test.
Notes
The test has 18 movements with a total of 190 marks (the serpentine carries coefficient 2), plus a separate Children quality marking sheet. Time 4 minutes. The National Qualifier 2026 sheet is, movement for movement, the EFI Preliminary test (Technical Guidelines 2021, Appendix G). The older Technical Guidelines 2021 printed a different Children I test in its JNEC Appendix C, with 16 movements and a total of 170 marks, including 10 m circles left and right at X, a 4-loop serpentine, 15 m canter circles and a change of lead through trot on the diagonal. The other JNEC 2026 categories in Appendix B of the National Qualifier guidelines are as follows. The Young Rider sheet (time 6 minutes 30 seconds, 27 movements, total 270) is the EFI Advanced Medium test, not an FEI Young Riders test. The Junior sheet (time 3 minutes 55 seconds, 19 movements, total 250) is the FEI Children Team Competition test and prints 'Copyright © 2020 Update 2022 Fédération Equestre Internationale'. It is not an FEI Juniors test.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 3 (lower end) because the National Qualifier 2026 Children-1 sheet is the EFI Preliminary test (18 movements, total 190), with working gaits, 12 m trot circles, 15 m canter circles, a 4-loop serpentine and stretching on a long rein in walk, and has no lengthenings and no lateral work. It therefore sits on the same rung as EFI Preliminary.

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Preliminary Preliminary Rung 3 1 tests
Rungs covered
Preliminary (test content not verified from an official source) (rung 3: Preliminary or Training level (working gaits and lengthenings))
Arena
20 by 60 metres (the size is not stated on the sheet; it is inferred from the letters R and I, which belong to the 20 by 60 arena)
Movements
  • Enter in working trot, halt, immobility and salute at X
  • Trot circles of 12 m on both reins (at E and B)
  • Change of rein from F through X to H, with medium walk for 7 to 10 steps before X
  • Halt of 4 seconds at A, then proceed in medium walk
  • Change of rein from K to B in medium walk, lengthening the reins and allowing the horse to stretch on a long rein, then shortening the reins from B to R
  • Working canter departs at C and at A
  • Canter circles of 15 m on both reins (at E)
  • Serpentine of 4 loops from C to A in working trot (coefficient 2)
  • Down the centre line, halt, immobility and salute at I
  • No lengthened strides, no lateral work and no rein-back
Gaits
Working trot, Medium walk (including stretching on a long rein), Working canter
Eligibility
Open to any horse not graded higher. Horses must be at least 4 years old (Technical Guidelines, Article 3). Riders must be at least 16 years old at the National Equestrian Championship (NEC). A horse is upgraded to Elementary on reaching the 65 per cent Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MER), or compulsorily after two years.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None stated.
Notes
Lowest senior grade. The test has 18 movements with a total of 190 marks (the serpentine carries coefficient 2), plus a quality marking sheet covering the rider's position and seat, effectiveness of the aids, precision and general impression. Time 4 minutes. There is no freestyle at this grade (Article 1 lists 'NEC Preliminary' without a freestyle). The sheet prints 'Minimum age of horse: 6 Years old for children / 5 Years old for Adults', whereas Article 3 admits horses of 4 years and above. The same test is used as the Children-I test in the JNEC 2026 National Qualifier guidelines.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 3 (lower end) because the sheet has working gaits only, 12 m trot circles, 15 m canter circles, a 4-loop serpentine, medium walk with stretching on a long rein and a halt of 4 seconds, with no lengthened strides, no leg-yield and no rein-back. It sits above rung 2 because of the 12 m and 15 m circles and the serpentine.

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Elementary Elementary Rung 4 1 tests
Rungs covered
Elementary (rung 4: Novice or First level (leg-yield, medium gaits, rein-back))
Arena
20 by 60 metres (the size is not stated on the sheet; it is inferred from the letters L, R, S, V, P and I, which belong to the 20 by 60 arena)
Movements
  • Enter in working trot, halt, immobility and salute at X
  • Medium trot on the diagonals (M X K and H X F), with the transitions marked separately
  • Leg-yield to the right and to the left from the centre line (from L to the track)
  • Circle of 20 m in working trot, giving and retaking the reins for a few steps (coefficient 2)
  • Rising trot circle of 20 m, allowing the horse to stretch forwards and downwards on a long rein (coefficient 2)
  • Medium walk, lengthening the reins and allowing the horse to stretch on a long rein (coefficient 2)
  • Medium canter on the long sides, with the transitions marked separately
  • Change of rein and half circle in counter-canter, on both leads (coefficient 2)
  • Canter to medium walk at S, walk to working canter at H
  • Down the centre line, halt, immobility and salute at I
  • No shoulder-in, no rein-back, no collected gaits and no simple change scored as such
Gaits
Working trot, Medium trot, Medium walk (including stretching on a long rein), Working canter, Medium canter, Counter-canter
Eligibility
Open to horses upgraded from Preliminary. Horses must be at least 5 years old. A horse is upgraded to Medium at 65 per cent, or compulsorily after two years.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None stated.
Notes
The test has 22 movements with a total of 270 marks, plus one collective mark (General Impression, coefficient 2), giving 290 in all. Time 5 minutes. The sheet prints 'Minimum age of horse: 6 Years old for children / 5 Years old for Adults'.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 4 because the sheet has leg-yield in both directions in trot, medium trot and medium canter, counter-canter half circles, canter to walk to canter transitions and a stretching circle, with no shoulder-in, no rein-back and no collection.

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Medium (Senior I) Medium / Senior I Rung 5 1 tests
Rungs covered
Medium (Senior I) (rung 5: Elementary or Second level (shoulder-in, collection begins, simple changes))
Arena
20 by 60 metres (the movements use the letters R, S, V and P, which belong to the 20 by 60 arena)
Movements
  • Shoulder-in on both reins
  • Half-voltes of 10 m
  • Medium trot with transitions
  • Turn on the haunches in both directions in medium walk
  • Medium canter
  • Canter serpentines of 2 loops with counter-canter
  • Simple change from counter-canter to counter-canter
  • Half-voltes of 10 m in canter with simple change
  • Stretching on a 20 m circle in working trot
Gaits
Collected trot and canter, Medium trot, walk and canter, Working trot (for the stretching)
Eligibility
Open to horses upgraded from Elementary. Horses must be at least 6 years old. A horse is upgraded at 62 per cent with two Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs), or with one MER of 70 per cent or more on written request. Downgrading is permitted only as far as Medium.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None stated. The level is about US Second Level or British Dressage Elementary to Medium. There is no half-pass and there are no flying changes.
Notes
The test has 20 movements. It contains no half-pass, although one summary of the test claimed that it does.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 5 (upper end) because the sheet has shoulder-in, 10 m half-voltes, turns on the haunches, counter-canter serpentines, simple changes (including from counter-canter to counter-canter), medium gaits and collected trot and canter, with no half-pass.

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Advanced Medium Advanced Medium Rung 7 1 tests
Rungs covered
Advanced Medium (rung 7: Medium or Third level (single flying changes))
Arena
20 by 60 metres (the size is not stated on the sheet; it is inferred from the letters R, P, L, S, V and I, which belong to the 20 by 60 arena)
Movements
  • Enter in collected canter, halt, immobility and salute at X, then proceed in collected trot
  • Voltes of 8 m in collected trot on both reins
  • Shoulder-in on both reins (R to P and S to V)
  • Half-volte of 10 m followed by trot half-pass, in both directions
  • Halt with immobility of 5 seconds at G
  • Medium trot and extended trot on the diagonals
  • Halt, rein-back of 5 steps, then immediately proceed in collected trot
  • Walk half-pirouettes right and left (out of a shortened medium walk)
  • Extended walk
  • Medium canter
  • Half-voltes of 10 m with simple change of leg (through walk), twice
  • Counter-canter, then a single flying change of leg at A and at C
  • No canter half-pass and no extended canter
Gaits
Collected trot and canter, Medium walk, trot and canter, Extended walk and trot, Counter-canter
Eligibility
Open to horses upgraded from Medium. Horses must be at least 6 years old. A horse is upgraded to Advanced at 62 per cent with two Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs), or with one MER of 65 per cent or more.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None stated.
Notes
The test has 27 movements with a total of 270 marks, plus one collective mark (General Impression, coefficient 2), giving 290 in all. Time 6 minutes 30 seconds. Minimum age of horse 6 years. The same test is used as the Young Rider test in the JNEC 2026 National Qualifier guidelines.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 7 because the sheet has two single flying changes (out of counter-canter), trot half-pass in both directions, shoulder-in, 8 m voltes, walk half-pirouettes, a rein-back of 5 steps, extended trot and walk, and simple changes, with no canter half-pass, no tempi changes and no canter pirouettes.

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Advanced (Senior II) Advanced / Senior II Rung 8 1 tests
Rungs covered
Advanced (Senior II) (rung 8: Advanced Medium or FEI Junior level (canter half-passes, several changes, walk half-pirouettes))
Arena
20 by 60 metres
Movements
  • Voltes of 10 m
  • Shoulder-in on both reins
  • Half-volte into half-pass in trot, in both directions
  • Halt and rein-back of 4 steps
  • Medium and extended trot
  • Extended walk
  • Walk half-pirouettes in both directions
  • Collected walk
  • Canter half-pass in both directions
  • Single flying changes (including at I and L)
  • Extended canter
Gaits
Collected walk, trot and canter, Medium trot and walk, Extended walk, trot and canter
Eligibility
Open to horses upgraded from Advanced Medium. Horses must be at least 6 years old. A horse is upgraded to Prix St-Georges at 62 per cent with two Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs), or with one MER of 65 per cent or more.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
About FEI Junior or British Dressage Advanced (no tempi changes, no canter pirouettes, no piaffe or passage).
Notes
The test has 28 movements.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 8 because the sheet has trot half-pass from a half-volte, canter half-pass in both directions, single flying changes (including at I and L), walk half-pirouettes, a rein-back of 4 steps and extended gaits, which is about FEI Junior level.

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Prix St-Georges Prix St Georges Rung 9 1 tests
Rungs covered
Prix St-Georges (rung 9: Small Tour entry, Prix St. Georges or Young Riders (canter half-pirouettes, changes every fourth and third stride))
Arena
20 by 60 metres
Movements
  • Enter in collected canter, halt, immobility and salute
  • Medium trot and extended trot
  • Shoulder-in on both reins
  • Voltes of 8 m
  • Trot half-pass in both directions (coefficient 2)
  • Walk half-pirouettes left and right
  • Collected walk and extended walk
  • Canter half-pass left and right, each with a flying change
  • Canter half-pirouettes left and right (coefficient 2)
  • Counter-canter with flying change at C
  • Five flying changes every fourth stride
  • Five flying changes every third stride
  • Extended canter with flying change
Gaits
Collected walk, trot and canter, Medium trot, Extended walk, trot and canter
Eligibility
Open to horses upgraded from Advanced. Horses must be at least 7 years old. A horse is upgraded to Intermediate I at 62 per cent with two Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs), or with one MER of 65 per cent or more.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
FEI Prix St-Georges
Notes
Appendix B reproduces the FEI Prix St. Georges movement for movement: 26 movements, a total of 320 marks plus a collective mark, giving 340 in all, time 5 minutes 50 seconds, minimum age of horse 7 years. The movements are identical to the current FEI sheet D-PSG-2009-2026 (Edition 2009). The EFI copy carries no FEI edition code or copyright line. Its single collective mark is worded 'General Impression' with the reference 'Art 430.6.1', which points to an earlier FEI update of the 2009 edition than the 2026 sheet (which words it 'Harmony'). The exact update year is not printed.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 9 because the EFI Appendix B sheet is the FEI Prix St. Georges, with canter half-pirouettes, 5 changes every fourth stride and every third stride, and canter half-passes with flying changes.

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Intermediate I Intermediate - I Rung 10 1 tests
Rungs covered
Intermediate I (rung 10: Intermediate I (full pirouettes, changes every third and second stride, canter zigzag))
Arena
20 by 60 metres
Movements
  • Enter in collected canter, halt, immobility and salute
  • Extended trot and medium trot
  • Shoulder-in on the centre line on both reins
  • Voltes of 8 m at X
  • Trot half-pass in both directions (coefficient 2)
  • Halt, rein-back of 5 steps and immediately proceed in collected trot
  • Collected walk and extended walk
  • Canter zigzag of 3 half-passes, 5 m to either side of the centre line, with flying changes (coefficient 2)
  • Extended canter with flying change
  • Five flying changes every third stride
  • Full canter pirouettes left and right (coefficient 2)
  • Seven flying changes every second stride
Gaits
Collected walk, trot and canter, Medium trot, Extended walk, trot and canter
Eligibility
Open to horses upgraded from Prix St-Georges. Horses must be at least 7 years old. The gold medallist in Intermediate I at the National Equestrian Championship (NEC) is declared National Champion.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
FEI Intermediate I
Notes
Highest EFI national grade. There is no Intermediate II or Grand Prix in the national ladder. Appendix A reproduces the FEI Intermediate I movement for movement: 25 movements, a total of 320 marks plus a collective mark, giving 340 in all, time 5 minutes 30 seconds, minimum age of horse 7 years. The movements are identical to the current FEI sheet D-INTI-2009-2026 (Edition 2009). The EFI copy carries no FEI edition code. Its collective mark is worded 'General Impression' with the reference 'Art 430.6.1', which points to an earlier FEI update than 2026. The exact update year is not printed. Indian international riders, such as Anush Agarwalla and Shruti Vora, compete at Grand Prix abroad under FEI rules.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 10 because the EFI Appendix A sheet is the FEI Intermediate I, with full pirouettes, 5 three-tempi changes, 7 two-tempi changes and a canter zigzag. It is the highest EFI grade, with no Intermediate II or Grand Prix nationally.

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China – CEA (rider grades)

Official test index · 9 levels

Edition and verification notes

The current rules are the 4th edition of the CEA rider grading rules (《中国马术协会骑手分级规则（2025）》) and the 2025 rider grading riding test standard (《中国马术协会骑手分级骑乘考核科目标准（2025）》), both published as PDFs on the CEA download page. The previous standard dates from 2022. These are rider grades earned in grading exams, with pass marks of 50% to 60% depending on the grade (the National grades need two qualifying scores), and from Medium III upwards the grades use FEI tests. Competitions in China run under the FEI Dressage Rules with CEA notices for special provisions. No standalone CEA dressage rulebook was found on the CEA download page.

Preparatory III (rider grade 初三级) 初三级科目 (CEA PREPARATORY III) Rung 1 1 tests
Rungs covered
Preparatory III (rung 1: Walk and trot only)
Arena
20 x 40 m
Movements
  • Entry in trot, track right
  • 20 m circles right and left in trot
  • Walk transitions
  • Halt and salute on the centre line
  • No canter
Gaits
Trot, Walk
Eligibility
Test of the rider grading exam for the Preparatory III grade (初三级). The pass mark is 50% or more. Below this grade are the Basic III, II and I grades (基础三/二/一级), which have no dressage test.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None (walk and trot only).
Notes
9 movements plus collective marks, 130 points, about 3 minutes.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 1 because the test is walk and trot only, with 20 m circles and a halt.

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Preparatory II (rider grade 初二级) 初二级科目 (CEA PREPARATORY II) Rung 3 1 tests
Rungs covered
Preparatory II (rung 3: Preliminary or Training level (working gaits and lengthenings))
Arena
20 x 40 m
Movements
  • Entry in working trot
  • 20 m circles on both reins
  • Change of rein on the diagonal
  • Medium walk and free walk
  • Two-loop serpentine
  • Working canter
  • Lengthened strides in trot (快步伸展)
  • Exit in walk on a long rein
Gaits
Working trot, Working canter, Medium walk, Free walk
Eligibility
Test of the rider grading exam for the Preparatory II grade (初二级). The pass mark is 50% or more. Competition classes named 'CEA初二级科目' appear in club leagues (for example the 2024 Beijing 北京舞者 league).
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None. About introductory or training level.
Notes
12 movements, 160 points, about 3.5 minutes.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 3 because the test asks for working trot and canter, a two-loop serpentine, free walk and lengthened trot. This sits on the boundary of rungs 2 and 3, and on content it belongs on rung 3 even though it is the lower rider grade.

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Preparatory I (rider grade 初一级) 初一级科目 (CEA PREPARATORY I) / 盛装舞步初一级科目 Rung 2 1 tests
Rungs covered
Preparatory I (rung 2: Introductory walk, trot and canter)
Arena
20 x 40 m
Movements
  • Working trot, sitting (rising not allowed)
  • Medium walk and free walk
  • Canter depart left and right
  • 20 m circles and half-circles in canter
  • Serpentine
  • Minimum of 3 consecutive canter strides required, otherwise the test is failed
Gaits
Working trot (sitting), Working canter, Medium walk, Free walk
Eligibility
Test of the rider grading exam for the Preparatory I grade (初一级). The pass mark is 50% or more. This is the highest test written by the CEA itself.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
None. About training level.
Notes
210 points, about 4 minutes. Snaffle only for all grades.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 2 (upper part) because the test asks for sitting working trot, canter departs, 20 m canter circles and half-circles, a serpentine and medium and free walk, with no lengthening mentioned. The rider grade is above Preparatory II, but the test content is not harder in terms of movements.

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Medium III (rider grade 中三级) 中三级科目 = FEI挑战赛预备级科目 (FEI Dressage Challenge Preliminary Test) Rung 3 1 tests
Rungs covered
Medium III (rung 3: Preliminary or Training level (working gaits and lengthenings))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • 12 m trot circles
  • Halt with 4 seconds of immobility
  • Medium walk on the diagonal, with stretching on a long rein and retaking the reins
  • 15 m canter circles on both leads
  • Four-loop serpentine
  • No lateral work
Gaits
Working trot and canter, Medium walk
Eligibility
Grading exam for the Medium III grade (中三级): one score of 55% or more. This is the minimum grade required for the youth group (少年组, ages 8 to 15) at the national youth dressage championship (2024 and 2025 notices).
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
FEI Dressage Challenge Preliminary
Notes
18 movements, 290 points, about 5 minutes. The 2022 standard listed this as a CEA-written test in a 20 x 60 m arena. The 2025 standard adopts the FEI Challenge test.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 3 (upper part, 20 x 60 m arena) because the FEI Dressage Challenge Preliminary asks for 12 m trot circles, 15 m canter circles, a four-loop serpentine and stretching, with no lateral work.

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Medium II (rider grade 中二级) 中二级科目 = FEI挑战赛初级科目 (FEI Dressage Challenge Elementary Test) Rung 4 1 tests
Rungs covered
Medium II (rung 4: Novice or First level (leg-yield, medium gaits, rein-back))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • Working trot and medium trot (M-X-K, H-X-F) with scored transitions
  • Leg-yield (来格优丁/偏横步) right and left from the centre line
  • 20 m circle in trot, giving and retaking the reins for a few steps over the centre line
  • 20 m circle in rising trot with stretching forward and down, then retaking the reins
  • Medium walk, including a lengthened rein to let the horse stretch, then retaking the reins
  • Working canter and medium canter with scored transitions
  • Change of rein in working canter (变换里怀), followed by a counter-canter half-circle and counter-canter (both leads)
  • No flying change and no simple change: the lead is changed through medium walk or working trot
Gaits
Working and medium trot, Working and medium canter, Counter-canter, Medium walk
Eligibility
Grading exam for the Medium II grade (中二级): one score of 60% or more. This is the minimum grade for the junior group (青年组, ages 16 to 21) at the national youth dressage championship.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
FEI Dressage Challenge Elementary
Notes
22 movements. The sheet prints a total of 290 points and a time of 5 minutes (for reference only). The score sheet is headed （2015国际马联挑战赛-初级科目）, the 2015 FEI Challenge Elementary test.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 4 (upper part) because the FEI Dressage Challenge Elementary (2015) asks for leg-yield, working and medium trot and canter, counter-canter half-circles and a stretching circle, with no collection and no flying or simple change.

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Medium I (rider grade 中一级) 中一级科目 = FEI挑战赛中级科目 or 国际马联J14-18团体赛科目 (FEI Challenge Medium / FEI Junior Team Test) Rung 8 1 tests
Rungs covered
Medium I (rung 8: Advanced Medium or FEI Junior level (canter half-passes, several changes, walk half-pirouettes))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • Entry in collected canter
  • Rein-back of 4 steps
  • Shoulder-in
  • Travers (腰向内)
  • Extended walk
  • Walk half-pirouettes (180 degrees) in both directions
  • Single flying changes
  • Extended and collected canter
Gaits
Collected, medium and extended trot, canter and walk
Eligibility
Grading exam for the Medium I grade (中一级): one score of 60% or more. Riders with this grade may enter competitions up to National III (国家三级) level.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
FEI Junior Team Test (ages 14 to 18) or FEI Challenge Medium
Notes
28 movements, 330 points (310 plus 20), about 5.5 minutes.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 8 because the FEI Junior Team test or FEI Challenge Medium asks for rein-back of 4 steps, shoulder-in, travers, walk half-pirouettes, single flying changes and extended canter.

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National III (rider grade 国家三级) 国三级: FEI挑战赛高级科目 / 国际马联J14-18个人赛科目 Rung 8 1 tests
Rungs covered
National III (rung 8: Advanced Medium or FEI Junior level (canter half-passes, several changes, walk half-pirouettes))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • As in the FEI Junior Individual or FEI Challenge Advanced test (half-pass, single flying changes, walk pirouettes and so on)
Gaits
Collected, medium and extended gaits
Eligibility
Grading exam for the National III grade (国家三级): two scores of 60% or more. Riders with this grade may enter competitions up to National II (国家二级) level.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
FEI Junior Individual or FEI Challenge Advanced
Why this rung
Placed on rung 8 (upper part) because the grade uses the FEI Junior Individual or FEI Challenge Advanced test.

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National II (rider grade 国家二级) 国二级: 国际马联圣乔治科目、中级一级科目、中级自选科目 Rung 10 1 tests
Rungs covered
National II: FEI Prix St-Georges (rung 9: Small Tour entry, Prix St. Georges or Young Riders (canter half-pirouettes, changes every fourth and third stride)); National II: FEI Intermediate I (rung 10: Intermediate I (full pirouettes, changes every third and second stride, canter zigzag))
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • As in the FEI Prix St-Georges, Intermediate I or Intermediate I Freestyle (canter half-pirouettes, four- and three-tempi changes, half-passes)
Gaits
Collected, medium and extended gaits
Eligibility
Grading exam for the National II grade (国家二级): two scores of 60% or more. National-grade (国家级) riders may enter all levels. These are the tests of the National Dressage Championship (2026: Prix St-Georges as team competition and individual qualifier, Intermediate I, and the Intermediate I Freestyle as final; https://www.chinanews.com.cn/ty/2026/05-10/10618728.shtml).
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
FEI Prix St-Georges or Intermediate I
Notes
National championship level.
Why this rung
Placed on rung 10 because the grade uses the FEI Prix St-Georges (rung 9), Intermediate I (rung 10) and Intermediate Freestyle, which is national championship level. The grade spans rungs 9 to 10.

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National I (rider grade 国家一级) 国一级: 国际马联中级A科目、中级B科目、中级二级科目 Rung 12 1 tests
Rungs covered
National I: FEI Intermediate A and B (rung 11: Medium Tour, Intermediate A and B (first piaffe and passage, one-tempi changes)); National I: FEI Intermediate II (rung 12: Big Tour: Intermediate II, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special)
Arena
20 x 60 m
Movements
  • As in the FEI Intermediate A, Intermediate B or Intermediate II (piaffe and passage steps, two- and one-tempi changes, full canter pirouettes)
Gaits
Collected, medium and extended gaits, piaffe and passage
Eligibility
Grading exam for the National I grade (国家一级): two scores of 60% or more. Above this, the annual National Rider title (国家骑手（年度）) is awarded on international results (Olympics, Asian Games), not on a test.
FEI equivalent stated by the federation
FEI Intermediate A, Intermediate B or Intermediate II
Notes
Grand Prix is not a rider-grade requirement. The dressage at the 2025 National Games (十五运会, Shenzhen Guangming, 10 to 12 November 2025) did not use Grand Prix tests: the team competition and individual qualifier were ridden on the FEI Prix St-Georges, the individual preliminary on the FEI Intermediate I and the individual final on the FEI Intermediate I Freestyle to Music (CEA reports). In those reports the CEA calls Intermediate I 国际马联中一级科目, which is not to be confused with the rider grade Medium I (中一级).
Why this rung
Placed on rung 12 because the grade uses the FEI Intermediate A and Intermediate B (rung 11) and Intermediate II (rung 12), spanning rungs 11 to 12. Grand Prix is not a rider-grade requirement.

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