Intro – Training Level
If you are entering Introductory Level through Training Level you will need to know the following:
• What organization is the rules governing body for Dressage: USDF
• Know what USDF stands for: United States Dressage Federation
• Know what USEF stands for: United States Equestrian Federation
• Know USEF Dressage Rules found at the USEF Web page under rules and governance
• What four walks are recognized in the rulebook? Free walk, extended walk, long rain walk, collected walk
• If a mathematical error is discovered how long does the competitor have to
bring the error to the attention of the competition Management? 1 hour after being posted
• Three examples of how a horse/rider shall be eliminated from a competition: 3 errors, leaving the arena, abuse/unsafe
• In National and FEI dressage tests, every “error of the course” whether the bell is sounded or not, must be penalized: How many points are deducted for the first penalty? 2
Give three examples of permitted snaffles in dressage competition: egg butt, D ring, French link
• What is the purpose of the Training Level Tests: To confirm that the horses muscles are loose and supple, and that it moves freely forward in a clear steady rhythm accepting contact from the bit
• What is the size of a small arena in meters: 20x40
• How much water a horse drinks daily: 5-10 gallons
• What is thrush in a horse: A fungal infection that slowly eats the hoof tissue
• Another word for indigestion in a horse:
• The normal body temperature of a horse: 98-102 F
• The average stride of a horse: trot=4.5ft canter=12ft
• What are chestnuts on a horse: The pre-historic toe
• What is navicular disease: inflammation of the navicular bone






First Level
If you are entering First Level you will need to know the following in addition to the study guide for Intro through Training Level:
• Know USEF Dressage Rules found at the USEF Web page under rules and governance
• What four trots are recognized in the rulebook and what two additional variations are
considered a trot?: Working, Lengthening, extended, collected
• Four examples of how a horse/rider shall be eliminated from a competition: more than 45 sec. after bell, 3 errors of course, abuse/unsafe, leaving the arean before completion of the test
• In National and FEI dressage tests, every “error of the course” whether the bell is
sounded or not, must be penalized: How many points are deducted for the second
penalty? 4 additional; 6 total
• Give four examples of permitted snaffles in dressage competition: French, single link, double link, adjustable mouth piece
• Know the correct number of beats in all three of the horse’s natural gaits: Walk=4, Trot=2, Canter3
• Know the size of the large arena in meters: 20x60m
• What is the purpose of the First Level Tests: Same as training level plus has developed thrust (pushing power) and achieved a degree of balance and thoroughness
• The symptoms of colic: Uneasiness, personality change, loss of appetite, rolls, swishing of tale
• What a bog spavin is and where it is located: Swelling of the tibiotersal joint of the horse hock
• The gestation of a horse: a term of pregnancy- 11months


Second Level and Above
If you are entering Second Level and above you will need to know the following in addition to the study guides for Intro through First Level:

• Know USEF Dressage Rules found at the USEF Web page under rules and governance
• What four canters are recognized in the rulebook and know their differences: collected, medium, extended, length
• Five examples of how a horse/rider shall be eliminated from a competition: 45sec rule, 3errors, leaving the arena, abuse, unsafe
• In National and FEI dressage tests, every “error of the course” whether the bell is sounded or not, must be penalized: What happens with the third penalty? Horse/rider is eliminated
• Give five examples of permitted snaffles in dressage competition: French link, single link, double link, adjustable mouth piece, eggbutt
• Know what the three changes of lead are: flying, simple,
• Know what the aim of movements on two tracks are
• What is the purpose of the Second Level Tests
• Know the following conditions: Tetanus, Laminitis, Strangles, Wobbles:
T- puncture wound that can become infectious and create disease or death
L- disease in the hoof that eats away and cause the horse to go lame
S- a contagious, upper respiratory tract infection of horses and other equines caused by a bacterium
W- marked by gait instability, caused by compression in the spine
• Know the length of the horse’s digestive process
• Know information concerning Bots: honey bee like flies that lay tiny yellow gel-like eggs on horses legs.





Thanks for any help at all!