{"id":20232,"date":"2026-05-12T17:52:58","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T17:52:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/?p=20232"},"modified":"2026-05-12T17:53:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T17:53:08","slug":"ask-the-l-are-my-horse-and-i-ready-for-first-level","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/instruction\/first-level\/ask-the-l-are-my-horse-and-i-ready-for-first-level\/","title":{"rendered":"Ask the L: Are My Horse and I Ready for First Level?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em><strong>Q:<\/strong> What exactly do my horse and I need to have in place to successfully move up from Training to First Level?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ~ Deanna<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> While we could probably talk about the answer to this question for an hour, USDF did it for us by explaining what is required for both levels. First and foremost, I\u2019m going to suggest you review the Training and First Level tests. At the top of every test, you\u2019ll find its intended purpose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Training Level, it states, \u201cThe 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. Correct geometry and lines of travel should be shown.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, let\u2019s talk about the purpose of First Level. \u201cThe 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 a lengthening of stride.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To summarize, you\u2019ve met the requirements for Training Level if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your geometry is correct.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your horse is bending correctly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your horse can maintain relaxed balance. (<em>Note:<\/em> In Training Level, we\u2019re talking about level balance. So, your horse should be able to perform balanced transitions throughout the test without being on the forehand.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"709\" height=\"584\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/12165041\/Collection-copy.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20236\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/12165041\/Collection-copy.jpg 709w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/12165041\/Collection-copy-300x247.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 709px) 100vw, 709px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">By First Level, your horse should be able to consistently stay in level balance and on the bit\u2014meaning he&#8217;s stepping from his hind end into the bridle and then recycling that energy back again. \u00a9Sandy Rabinowitz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>At First Level, all of these requirements should be a little easier. Keep in mind, however, that our horses aren\u2019t machines, so they will come in and out of balance. Even if you watch the Olympians and Grand Prix riders, there are moments when they\u2019re not in ideal balance and you see glimpses of insecurity in the connection or irregularity in the rhythm. The goal overall is to see fewer blips in First Level, compared to Training Level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-balance-and-self-carriage-for-first-level\">Balance and Self-Carriage for First Level<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>By First Level, we want to see a horse who can consistently stay in level balance and on the bit, which is about more than just creating an outline. It means the horse is stepping from his hind end into the bridle and then recycling that energy back again. It\u2019s all about balance and self-carriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, we don\u2019t expect to see the self-carriage of a Grand Prix horse at First Level, but we do expect the horses to be in some degree of self-carriage. You start teaching your horse about his balance at the Intro and Training Levels, so it\u2019s fair to expect a little more self-carriage by First Level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s why you\u2019ll find things like smaller circles, trot lengenthings and leg yields at this level, because these movements require more lateral and longitudinal suppleness, a consistent connection and the horse&#8217;s ability to push off more with his hind end without losing the balance. It\u2019s important to remember that when we\u2019re talking about suppleness, we\u2019re also talking about straightness, because your horse can\u2019t be supple if he\u2019s not straight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"804\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/12170358\/FirstLevel_4-copy-1024x804.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20237\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/12170358\/FirstLevel_4-copy-1024x804.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/12170358\/FirstLevel_4-copy-300x235.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/12170358\/FirstLevel_4-copy-768x603.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/12170358\/FirstLevel_4-copy-1536x1206.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/12170358\/FirstLevel_4-copy.jpg 1590w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">First Level tests call for movements such as trot lengthenings, leg yields and smaller circles because these require more lateral and longitudinal suppleness in the horse. \u00a9Amy K. Dragoo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Early on in my dressage career, I had an instructor once ask me what it meant for my horse to be straight on a circle. It might sound ridiculous, but it was a really profound lesson for me. Being straight on a circle means the horse\u2019s inside hind leg and inside front leg are on one arc, and the outside hind and outside front legs are another arc that\u2019s slightly longer than the inside arc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This requires a horse to step longer with his outside legs than he does on his inside legs. Most horses, however, naturally want to maintain the same size stride with both the inside and outside legs. In order to do that on a circle, they have to become crooked in their bodies, so they either pop their shoulders out or bring their hindquarters in our out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/12170707\/FirstLevel_6-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20238\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/12170707\/FirstLevel_6-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/12170707\/FirstLevel_6-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/12170707\/FirstLevel_6-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/12170707\/FirstLevel_6-1536x1018.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/12170707\/FirstLevel_6-2048x1357.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Being straight on a circle means the horse\u2019s inside hind leg and inside front leg are on one arc, and the outside hind and outside front legs are another arc that\u2019s slightly longer than the inside arc. \u00a9Amy K. Dragoo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, it\u2019s important to keep in mind, that you must achieve straightness before suppleness as you progress to First Level. If your basics aren\u2019t correct, everything else is going to be harder. The basics are simple, but they\u2019re not easy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-for-more\">For More:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To read more with Aviva Nebesky, click <a href=\"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/tag\/aviva-nebesky\/\">here<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can listen to our Dressage Today Podast, hosted by Aviva and Stephany Fish Crossman,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/category\/podcast\/\">here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-about-aviva-nebesky\">About Aviva Nebesky<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"943\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/25203144\/Aviva.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17757\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.9823484267075978;width:355px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/25203144\/Aviva.jpg 943w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/25203144\/Aviva-295x300.jpg 295w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/25203144\/Aviva-768x782.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 943px) 100vw, 943px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/tag\/aviva-nebesky\/\">Aviva Nebesky<\/a>&nbsp;started riding in her 30s, but horses rapidly took over her life and she went on to graduate with distinction from the USDF \u201cL\u201d Program. She actively trains and competes in dressage while maintaining a busy teaching and judging schedule throughout the mid-Atlantic. She has her USDF Bronze Medal and the Fourth Level scores towards her Silver and has competed internationally representing the USA at the Maccabi Games in Israel in 2022.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Aviva regularly works with eventers, working equitation riders, Western Dressage riders and traditional dressage riders and also cohosts the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/category\/podcast\/\">Dressage Today Podcast<\/a>&nbsp;with&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/tag\/stephany-fish-crossman\/\">Stephany Fish Crossman<\/a>. With a master\u2019s degree in social services and Social Research and decades of work in the field of physical rehab, Aviva specializes in working with adult amateurs with fear issues.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this Ask the L, dressage trainer and judge Aviva Nebesky helps a Training Level rider determine if she and her horse are prepared to successfully move up to First Level.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3891,"featured_media":20235,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6790,117,91,104],"tags":[7280,6761,409,226,7278,1495,279,7279],"class_list":["post-20232","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-first-level","category-instruction","category-training-level","tag-are-you-ready-for-first-level","tag-articles-with-aviva-nebesky","tag-aviva-nebesky","tag-balance","tag-first-level-requirements","tag-self-carriage","tag-suppleness","tag-training-level-requirements"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Ask the L: Are My Horse and I Ready for First Level? 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