Levels

Please note that at every level an ASTM/SEI certified helmet is required.

A saftey vest is optional at every level, and is always considered appropriate attire.

Young Horse in Hand

• Purpose:  To accustom the young horse to the obstacles. To create confidence and obedience and to increase the horse’s trust in the handler.
• Horse must be between 12 months to 35 months (Yearlings and 2 year olds)
• The Young Horse in Hand Level only does the Ease of Handling Phase, there is no Dressage or Speed Phase.
• Handlers must be 16 years of age and older.
• Stallions must be handled by adults. (18 years or older.)
• Ideally the horse should keep the middle of his neck at the handlers shoulder.   It is a major fault for the handler to be behind the horse’s shoulder.  It is a minor fault for the handler to be in front of the horse’s nose except in the Livestock Pen and Corridor with Bell.
• Unless otherwise directed in the instructions for the obstacles, the handler will be on the horse’s left side.
• Livestock Pen will always be done both directions.
• Handler will wear long pants and shirt with a collar.  Footwear should be boots or sturdy running shoes.  SEI/ASTM helmets are required.
• Tack for horse will be a cavesson, flat halter, or rope halter with a lead rope.  A horse 24 months (2 years) or older may wear a bridle. A whip can be carried of less than 48” in length including lash.  A properly fitted chain can be used under or over the nose. 
  
• All obstacles are done in the walk.  Trot between obstacles.
  



Young Horse A

• Purpose: To test the correct progression of the horse's elementary training.   To be ridden in a snaffle or bosal.    Rider may carry a whip in Dressage. Spurs allowed.  The horse should be in acceptance of the basic aids and show acceptance of the contact.
• Horse must be between 36 and 59 months. (3 – 4 years)
• All obstacles in the Ease of Handling Phase are to be ridden at a walk or trot when appropriate.
• All obstacles for Young Horse Test A must be placed in such a way that there is a minimal amount of turning .  (Must be straight rather than curved lines.)
• Any horse competing in Young Horse Test A may not compete at any other Level at that competition.
• The rider must be 16 years of age or older in Young Horse Test A.
• The Dressage Phase is walk, trot, and canter.
• All obstacles in the Ease of Handling Phase and Speed Phases are to be ridden at a walk or trot when appropriate.
  



Young Horse B

• Purpose: To test the correct progression of the horse's basic training.   To be ridden in a snaffle or bosal.  Rider may carry a whip in Dressage. Spurs allowed.  The horse should be in acceptance of the basic aids and show acceptance of the bridle and increased impulsion.
• Horse must be between 48 and 71 months (4-5 years)
• The rider must be 16 years of age or older in Young Horse Test A.
• All Phases are walk, trot, and canter.
  



Lead Line

• Purpose: To introduce children to Working Equitation in a safe environment with correct equitation and training.  To be ridden on the lead line in a snaffle bridle using two hands on the reins.  Handler must be an Adult.  Rider can be assisted by Handler if needed.  Rider may carry a small whip in Dressage.  NO spurs allowed.  No Speed phase.
• The Lead Line rider completes only two Phases, the Dressage Phase and the Ease of Handling Phase.  There is no Speed Phase for the Lead Line rider.
• The age of the Lead Line rider is 10 and under.
• Any rider competing in Lead Line may not compete in any other level at that competition.
• Any rider competing in Lead Line must have an Adult handler with a lead attached to the horse at all times when mounted.
• The Dressage Phase is walk and trot.
  
• All obstacles in the Ease of Handling Phase are to be ridden at a walk or halt when appropriate.
  



Walk

• Purpose: To create an opportunity for children who have the skills to work off the lead line to experience memorizing and executing a working equitation test.  To be ridden in a snaffle or curb bit using two hands on the reins.  Rider may carry a short whip in Dressage.  No spurs are allowed.  The walk should be energetic and ground covering.  Obedience and calmness of the horse and a safe and correct position of the rider are emphasized.   Accuracy of the figures is rewarded. 
• There is no Speed Phase for the Walk Level.
• The age of the Walk rider must be 12 years old or under.
• Any rider competing in Walk may not compete in any other level.
• The Dressage Phase is walk.
  
• All obstacles in the Ease of Handling Phase are to be ridden at a walk or halt when appropriate.
  

Walk Trot

• Purpose: To introduce the beginner rider or the new working equitation rider to Working Equitation competition in an inviting and educational atmosphere.  To be ridden in a snaffle, pelham, or curb using two hands on the reins.  Any horse under 60 months of age must be ridden in a snaffle.  Rider may carry a whip in Dressage Phase.  Spurs allowed. Transitions into and out of the halt may be made through the walk.  While the horse does not have to be on the bit or round in the top line, the horse would show acceptance of the connection from the leg to the elastic hand without undue resistance.  The walk and trot should be energetic and ground covering but without losing balance. 
• Any age rider may compete at this level.
• Horse must be at least 36 months of age.
• Dressage test is walk and trot.
• Ease of Handling and Speed are walk and trot.



Novice

• Purpose:  To test and encourage the correct training of the Novice Working Equitation rider.  To be ridden in a snaffle, bosal, pelham, or curb and using two hands on the reins.  Rider may carry a whip in Dressage.  Spurs are allowed.  Transitions into and out of the halt may be made through the walk.  The horse should be in acceptance of the connection from the leg to the elastic hand showing the start of a round outline.  The walk, trot, and canter should be energetic and ground covering with the strides tracking up or over striding in the walk and trot.
• There is a Novice Rider as well as a Novice Horse Test. The figures remain the same for both tests, however  the marks judged reflect whether the horse or the rider is the primary focus.
• There is no age limit for the rider at this level.
• Horses must be least 36 months of age.
• Any horse over 60 months of age may use any WEUSA approved bit.
• The Dressage is walk, trot, and canter.
• Ease of Handling and Speed is walk and trot.



Preliminary

• Purpose: To test the correct progression of the horse's training at the Preliminary level.  To introduce the beginnings of lateral work.  To be ridden in a snaffle, bosal, pelham or curb.  Any horse under 60 months of age must be ridden in a snaffle or bosal.  Rider may carry a whip in Dressage. Spurs allowed.  The horse should now be reliably in acceptance of the aids, with more impulsion and with a rounded and more uphill balance in the working gaits then at Novice Level.
• There is no age limit for the rider at this level.
• Horses must be 4 years of age or older.
• All Phases are walk, trot, and canter.
  



Intermediate

• Purpose: To test the correct progression of the horse's training at the Intermediate level.  To introduce forward/sideways lateral movements.  To be ridden in a snaffle, bosal, pelham, curb, or double bridle.  Rider may carry a whip in Dressage.  Spurs allowed.  The horse is now reliably in acceptance of the aids and acceptance of the bridle. Greater impulsion is thrusting the horse into a rounded and uphill balance that leads to moments of collection.
• Open to riders of 14 years old and above. 
• Horses must be 5 years of age or older.
• To be ridden in a snaffle, Pelham, curb, or double bridle.
• The free hand can adjust the reins no more than 5 seconds. The hand making the adjustment must be behind the steering hand not in front of the steering hand.
• All walk and trot work done in all phases will be done one handed.
  
• All Phases are done in the walk, trot, and canter.
  



Advanced

• Purpose: To test the correct progression of the training at the Intermediate level and to introduce the half pass and flying changes. To be ridden in a snaffle, pelham, curb, or double bridle. Rider may NOT carry a whip. Spurs allowed. The horse now accepts and responds readily to the aids of the rider. This level has greater levels of Impulsion and collection than at the Preliminary level. Reins will be held in one hand for the walk and the trot. All collected trot is done sitting.
• Open to all riders 15 years old and above.
• Open to horses 6 years old and over.
• To be ridden in a snaffle, Pelham, curb, or double bridle.
• The free hand can adjust the reins no more than 5 seconds. The hand making the adjustment must be behind the steering hand not in front of the steering hand.
• All phases are walk and  canter.



International

• Purpose:  To test the correct progression of the training at the Advanced level and to introduce the canter pirouette.   The horse now accepts and responds readily to the aids of the rider. This level has greater levels of impulsion and collection than at the Intermediate level. Reins will be held in one hand for the duration of the test.
• Open to all riders 16 years of age and older.
• Open to all horses 6 years of age and older.
• To be ridden in a snaffle, pelham, curb, or double bridle.
• To be ridden in a curb at the International Advanced Level.
• The free hand can adjust the reins no more than 5 seconds. The hand making the adjustment must be behind the steering hand not in front of the steering hand.
• All phases are walk and canter