A Closer Look: Training Level

In hopes of fostering discussion and giving me some more things to write about while waiting for the pony to get better, I came up with an idea for a series.

I've written about the dressage levels before, but kind of sporadically, and I suppose we did go over the new tests last winter... BUT I think it'd be fun to dissect each level and each test within the level. My main goal is to look at the progression from Training level to Grand Prix and see how each level (and test) contributes to the training of dressage horses.

So, without further ado: Training Level

Featuring: Rico and teenage Megan at Training level!

Purpose of the Levels

To confirm that the horse demonstrates correct basics, is supple, and moves freely forward in a clear rhythm with a steady tempo, accepting contact with the bit.

My interpretation is that Training level is a test of the basics (which take a while to get right). Can you get through a whole test while keeping your horse a) forward, b) steady in the tempo, and c) on the bit? Great, you'll be fine at Training level. Um, we have some work to do on that.

Two notes for this level are that 1) the halt can be ridden through the walk (and should not be marked down for that specifically) and 2) you can ride the trot sitting or posting (except for the stretch circle is always posting).

Training is where a lot of people start when they start showing at rated shows- and at schooling shows too. Actually my trainer friend told me the other day that since I was an FEI rider, I couldn't start at Intro at a rated show. She seriously had me convinced. But then that's apparently just her rule that she's applying to me. We've already done intro at a few schooling shows, so I'm on board with starting at Training level this summer (PLEASE) or fall (slightly more reasonable) or next year (likely).

Beginning of free walk, quit poking that lazy horse so much, Megan
Ah but you won't learn that for another 7 years

Training 1

I do think that T1 is a nice first test. The trot work is pretty standard- circles in the middle, which I think are easier for people to make the correct shape, since lots of people tend to fall into the corners when the circles are at A or C.

The canter work is set up well for a lot of horses. For others (ahem, mine), that openness going from the short side to the long side as you ask for the canter may encourage some to leave. But it could be good motivation for a better trained lazier horse who may feel like there's room to pick up the canter vs on a short side. I think that's probably why they moved it from picking up the canter in the second half to picking it up in the first quarter.

The free walk is in a great place and only across a short diagonal, this way you have enough medium walk to theoretically get the horse back to you and take your time. This is great for a tense young horse, I like having that extra room to get everything in gear before I have to relinquish contact.

I like that they dumped the stretch circle out of this test. I think it's a lot to ask of a green rider or green horse to be able to correctly stretch down at a show. T1 now allows you to not have to either a) practice a shitty stretch circle and b) not give away your reins and resort to wings and prayers to make it through a whole circle with reduced control.

The coefficients are on the trot circles and free walk, making the score pretty friendly for a horse with a better trot than canter.

Nice trot, Rico!

Training 2

The thing I love about this test is how much trot there is (but don't get your hopes up score-wise, since the canter work has a double coefficient- means both trot and canter are weighted basically the same). It's a bit longer than T1, which is great for a young horse who needs to settle down or a rider to chill a bit. I think one downside for a young horse though, is that you switch directions right before you canter, so the horse has only one bit of a taste of the new direction before you have to canter. But they put the transition in the corner, so that's nice.

The canter is again set up in a way where the horse is looking down a long side as you pick it up, which can be helpful depending on your horse. Unfortunately for young speedy horses, you need to make it half way down the long side before you get to circle, this could lead to exciting things. Hence the increased difficulty of the level.

The stretch circle returns at T2 and it's not located in a very kind place IMO. Some horses do stretch better after the canter, and for those horses, this is an excellent placement. But I think for a lot of horses who may get unbalanced at the canter, the stretch circle adds some difficulty. The best thing to do is just get your trot transition as early as possible.

The coefficients are the canter circles and the free walk. I think it's great they don't throw a double coefficient on your stretch circle at this point.

Damn he was a nice horse, now he is fat and furry

Training 3

This is a great test. I think it's a really good stepping stone between T2 and 1-1. There is added difficulty in a few places.

First, the trot work involves no circles. I, for one, am reliant on circles when my horse has a case of the dumb, so that alone makes it a good test of the general influence the rider supposedly has over the horse. The loops are the bane to a lot of peoples' existences and I can see why. The movement basically makes fun of any idea of straightness or suppleness you may think you have and puts your failure on display. For this movement, practicing it is key, but the best way to really get better at it is to make sure that your horse is supple in both directions and is even in both reins and off both legs (hey sound like familiar requirements for the leg yields coming up? especially that zig zag).

Second, the canter is quite a bit longer. This is a great thing for some horses, but for a lot of them, it's a lot. Especially when you consider that 1-1 has the exact same amount of canter (but I think that's more 1-1's fault than T3). I think it's a good thing though, it's a fairly safe/generic series of movements and from now on, the canter work gets long, so you may as well jump right in.

The coefficients are the free walk and stretch circle, pretty normal coefficients.

* Yes there is a Training level Rider Test, I'll be doing the three rider tests together because they're more similar to each other than to the level they are at. Look for that probably after the Second level edition of this series. Unless I forget. Then look for it much later.

Haven't quite learned how to sit the canter yet, or put him on
the bit, both of those took... um... quite a while

Overall

I like all these tests, I think they are fairly cohesive and provide decent stepping stones from Intro to First level. As we look at First level (next week or whenever I get along to writing it), keep in mind the trot loops and where the downward transition was placed (X) in T3. Those are hints at future movements.


Feel free to add any thoughts!