Practice test
Intermediate Ridden Test 1
15 m circles appear for the first time, along with a change of rein across the arena and lengthened strides down a long side.
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
- 4 of 5
- Working area
- 20 m × 40 m preferred (a reasonably similar safe rectangle is fine)
- 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 | E | 15 m circle left in working trot What the judge looks for: Consistent size, bend and balance A 15 m circle starting at E on the left long side. It stops 5 m short of the right long side. |
| 5 | Between K and A | Medium walk What the judge looks for: Clear four-beat walk Make the change of pace on the stretch between K and A, as the written test directs. |
| 6 | A | Turn down the centre line in medium walk What the judge looks for: Accurate turn, straight line Turn at A and ride the straight line A – D – X – G – C through the middle of the arena. |
| 7 | Between D and X | Working trot What the judge looks for: Willing transition, straightness Make the change of pace on the stretch between D and X, as the written test directs. |
| 8 | C | Track right What the judge looks for: Balance through the turn As you reach C, turn to your right. You are now on the right rein, riding C – M – B – F. |
| 9 | B | 15 m circle right in working trot What the judge looks for: Consistent size, bend and balance A 15 m circle starting at B on the right long side. It stops 5 m short of the left long side. |
| 10 | F | Working canter right What the judge looks for: Correct lead, calm transition Make the change of pace as your body passes F — not before it and not after it. |
| 11 | A | 20 m circle right in working canter What the judge looks for: Balance, rhythm, shape of the circle A round 20 m circle starting and finishing at A, touching each long side halfway between the short side and the middle of the arena. |
| 12 | K | Working trot What the judge looks for: Balanced downward transition Make the change of pace as your body passes K — not before it and not after it. |
| 13 | E–B | Change the rein across the arena in working trot, tracking left 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. |
| 14 | B–M | Lengthen the stride in trot. M: working trot What the judge looks for: Clear lengthening, same rhythm, prompt return Ask for longer, ground-covering strides from B to M, then return to the working pace where the test asks. |
| 15 | C | Turn down the centre line in working trot What the judge looks for: Accurate turn, straightness Turn at C and ride the straight line C – G – X – D – A 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
- — Accuracy of the smaller circles
- — Clear lengthening on the long side
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.