Practice test
Advanced Practice Test 2
The longest test in the library: lengthening in both trot and canter, a 10 m trot circle, a rein-back at X and a change of rein across the arena.
Practice test — ride this at home for schooling, preparation or fun. It is not currently an entry class unless specifically shown as part of an Online Horse Competition event.
- Paces
- Walk, working trot and working canter
- Difficulty
- 5 of 5
- Working area
- 20 m × 40 m — accurate marker placement strongly recommended
- Movements
- 16
The test, movement by movement
Ride the movements in order. Select “Show movement” beside any line to see its route drawn on the arena — the written instruction is complete on its own.
| No. | Marker | Movement |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Enter in working trot What the judge looks for: Straightness, forward rhythm Start outside the short side, straight in line with A, and ride straight up the centre line towards X. |
| 2 | X | Halt. Salute. Proceed in working trot What the judge looks for: Halt, immobility, prompt trot away Bring the horse to a square, still halt in the middle of the arena, pause, then ride forward again. |
| 3 | C | Track left What the judge looks for: Balance through the turn As you reach C, turn to your left. You are now on the left rein, riding C – H – E – K. |
| 4 | H–X–F | Lengthen the stride in trot on the diagonal. F: working trot What the judge looks for: Clear lengthening, straight line, prompt return From H ride a straight diagonal line through X and finish at F. You arrive on the other rein. |
| 5 | A | 10 m circle right in working trot What the judge looks for: Size, bend and balance on the small circle A small 10 m circle starting at A, staying 5 m inside each long side. |
| 6 | K | Working canter right What the judge looks for: Correct lead, calm transition Make the change of pace as your body passes K — not before it and not after it. |
| 7 | E | 15 m circle right in working canter What the judge looks for: Balance and bend on the smaller canter circle A 15 m circle starting at E on the left long side. It stops 5 m short of the right long side. |
| 8 | Between E and H | Lengthen the stride in canter. H: working canter What the judge looks for: Clear lengthening, uphill balance, prompt return Ask for longer, ground-covering strides between E and H, then return to the working pace where the test asks. |
| 9 | C | Working trot What the judge looks for: Balanced downward transition Make the change of pace as your body passes C — not before it and not after it. |
| 10 | M–X–K | Change the rein in working trot What the judge looks for: Straight diagonal, even rhythm From M ride a straight diagonal line through X and finish at K. You arrive on the other rein. |
| 11 | A | Turn down the centre line in working trot. Between D and X, medium walk What the judge looks for: Accurate turn, balanced downward transition Turn at A and ride the straight line A – D – X – G – C through the middle of the arena. |
| 12 | X | Halt. Rein-back four steps. Proceed in medium walk What the judge looks for: Square halt, straight and even rein-back, calm departure From a square halt, ask the horse to step calmly backwards in straight, even steps, then walk forward again. |
| 13 | C | Track left. Working trot What the judge looks for: Accurate turn, willing transition As you reach C, turn to your left. You are now on the left rein, riding C – H – E – K. |
| 14 | E–B | Change the rein across the arena in working trot, tracking right at B What the judge looks for: Straight line through X, accurate turn at B Ride straight across the middle of the arena from E through X to B, then turn onto the track in the direction the test asks for. |
| 15 | A | Turn down the centre line in working trot What the judge looks for: Accurate turn, straightness Turn at A and ride the straight line A – D – X – G – C through the middle of the arena. |
| 16 | X | Halt through medium walk. Salute What the judge looks for: Balanced transition, square halt Bring the horse to a square, still halt in the middle of the arena, pause, then ride forward again. |
Select a movement to see its route
Tap “Show movement” on any line of the test and the route is drawn here.
What the judge is looking for
- — Rhythm and regularity of each pace
- — Accuracy — movements happening at the named markers
- — Straightness and the shape of circles and lines
- — Calm, willing transitions
- — A relaxed, happy horse throughout
- — Straight, calm, even rein-back steps
- — Clear difference between working and lengthened canter
Horse welfare comes first at all times. Ride only what is comfortable for your horse on the day, on safe, even ground. If in doubt, stop.
A formal dressage arena is not required. Safe improvised markers — cones, buckets, poles or feed bags — are permitted. Where a competition class sets stricter requirements, the class rules take precedence.
More at this level
Ready to be judged? View current competitionsThis is an original Online Horse Competition test. It is not an official federation dressage test, and we are not affiliated with or approved by any governing body.