Advancing the Basics: an element-by-element comparison of the USDF Training Level and the WDAA Basic Level Dressage Tests

Element-by-Element Comparison

1. Purpose / Overall Goal

• USDF Training Level: To confirm that the 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 [1, 2].

  
  

• WDAA Basic Level: Tests confirm that the horse is supple and moves freely forward in a clear and steady rhythm, accepting light contact with the bit. The horse demonstrates a greater understanding of the aids and calm acceptance of the bridle; greater emphasis is placed on relaxation, willing cooperation, harmony, rideability and pure gaits. The horse is beginning to develop more impulsion and balance [3, 4].

  
  

2. Gaits Used

• USDF: Working trot (sitting or rising), working canter, medium walk, and free walk. All three gaits are required [1, 5].

  
  

• WDAA: Working jog (sitting or rising), free jog, working lope, working walk, and free walk. Lope is introduced at this level [3, 4, 6].

  
  

3. Walk Requirements

• USDF: Medium walk and free walk (with greater ground cover, overtrack, and complete freedom to stretch the neck forward and downward) [1, 5].

  
  

• WDAA: Working walk and free walk, with emphasis on relaxation, willingness to lower the head and neck, and swing through the back [3, 4].

  
  

4. Trot / Jog

• USDF: All working trot may be ridden sitting or rising unless otherwise stated. The horse should show regularity, quality, and acceptance of contact [1, 5].

  
  

• WDAA: Working jog may be ridden sitting or rising. It should be a natural gait within the horse’s scope, with a swinging back, elastic steps, and light contact. Free jog is also introduced [3, 4, 6]

  
  

5. Canter / Lope

• USDF: Working canter is introduced (with 20-meter circles). Clear three-beat rhythm, willingness, and balance are expected [1, 5].

  
  

• WDAA: Working lope is introduced (with 20-meter circles). The lope is typically slower in tempo than a classical canter while maintaining a clear three-beat rhythm and moment of suspension [3, 4, 6].

  
  

6. Free Walk / Free Jog

• Both: Require greater ground cover, overtrack, and neck stretch forward and downward with relaxation.

  
  

• USDF: Free walk with complete freedom to stretch the neck forward and downward [1, 5].

  
  

• WDAA: Free walk and free jog emphasize willingness to lower the head and neck, relaxation, swing through the back, and moderate lengthening while maintaining balance and tempo [3, 4].

  
  

7. Halt

• USDF: Halts may be through the walk; minimum of 3 seconds immobility. Directives emphasize straightness, attentiveness, and balance [1, 5].

  
  

• WDAA: Halt through the walk. Directives require a square, straight, immobile halt with prompt, smooth transitions [3, 4].

  
  

8. Figures & Geometry

• USDF (Test 1): Full 20-meter circles in trot and canter in both directions, changes of rein, and centerline work. Correct geometry is explicitly stressed in the purpose. Average ride time is approximately 5:00 (standard arena) or 4:00 (small arena) [1, 5].

  
  

• WDAA (Basic Test 1): 20-meter circles at working jog, free jog, and working lope, plus changes of rein and centerline work. Average ride time is 5:00 (small) or 6:00 (large). Later Basic tests introduce additional figures such as shallow loops [3, 4].

  
  

9. Transitions

• Both: Willing, calm, and smooth transitions are required and specifically scored.

  
  

• USDF: Transitions between walk, trot, and canter should be clear and balanced [1, 5].

  
  

• WDAA: Transitions (including develop transitions into and out of lope and free gaits) emphasize smoothness, willingness, and maintenance of quality [3, 4].

  
  

10. Contact & Frame

• USDF: Readily accepting contact with the bit (except free walk). The horse should show longitudinal and lateral suppleness [1, 2].

  
  

• WDAA: Accepting light contact with the bit. Preferred frame is generally longer and more natural; nose may be on or slightly in front of the vertical [3, 4, 6].

  
  

11. Rider Position & Aids

• USDF: Correctly balanced seat, independent steady hands, and correct bend. Geometry and accuracy are expected [1, 5].

  
  

• WDAA: Well-balanced elastic seat demonstrating vertical, centered alignment, with light independent contact. Harmony receives a higher coefficient (2) [3, 4].

  
  

12. Equipment

• USDF: English dressage saddle and snaffle bit under standard dressage rules [1].

  
  

• WDAA: Western saddle; snaffle or curb bit allowed under Western Dressage rules. More inclusive of stock-type and gaited horses [3, 6].

  
  

13. Arena & Timing

• Both: May be ridden in a small arena (20 m × 40 m) or large/standard arena (20 m × 60 m). Average ride times are in the 4:00–6:00 range depending on arena size [1, 3, 5].

14. Collective Marks Focus

• USDF: Gaits (freedom and regularity), impulsion (desire to move forward; elasticity of the steps; suppleness of the back; engagement of the hindquarters – coefficient 2), submission (willing cooperation; harmony; acceptance of bit and aids; etc. – coefficient 2), rider’s position and seat, and rider’s correct and effective use of the aids. Maximum points for Training Level Test 1: 260 [1, 5].

  
  

• WDAA: Gaits (freedom and regularity), impulsion (desire to move forward with suppleness of the back and steady tempo), rider’s position/seat/hands, correct and effective use of the aids, accuracy, and harmony (coefficient 2). Maximum points for Basic Level Test 1: 260 [3, 4].

  
  

15. Test Structure

• USDF: 3 tests. Test 1 introduces working trot, working canter, medium walk, free walk, and 20 m circles in trot and canter. Test 2 introduces the stretch circle in trot. Test 3 adds changing of bend on a shallow loop and canter-trot transitions on a diagonal [1, 5].

  
  

• WDAA: 4 tests (all include walk, jog, and lope). New requirements are introduced progressively (e.g., free jog and working lope circles early, followed by additional figures such as loops in later tests) [3, 4].

  
  

Compare and Contrast Summary

Similarities

Both levels confirm that the horse is developing correct basics: clear rhythm, steady tempo, relaxation, willingness, light/accepting contact, correct geometry on 20-meter figures, free walk with stretch and overtrack, and a square halt. They share the same arena size options, letter system, 0–10 scoring scale, and progressive structure. Maximum points for the first test of each level are identical (260), and average ride times are comparable. Both emphasize suppleness, balance, and the beginning of greater impulsion [1–6].

Differences

• Gait and style: USDF uses trot and canter (with sitting or rising trot allowed); WDAA uses jog and lope (with sitting or rising jog allowed). The lope is typically slower and more collected in feel than a classical working canter while maintaining the same three-beat rhythm [1, 3, 5, 6].

• Frame and philosophy: USDF emphasizes readily accepting the bit and longitudinal/lateral suppleness in a classical outline; WDAA prioritizes a natural, swinging jog/lope, relaxation, pure gaits, and rideability suited to working and stock-type horses [1, 3, 6].

• Tack and inclusivity: English saddle/snaffle vs. Western saddle (snaffle or curb) with greater acceptance of stock-type and gaited horses [1, 3, 6].

• Scoring weight: WDAA places higher explicit weight on harmony (coefficient 2) and includes a separate accuracy collective; USDF places higher weight on impulsion and submission (both coefficient 2) [1, 3, 5].

• Test progression: USDF has three tests with specific progressive introductions (stretch circle, shallow loops); WDAA has four tests that progressively add figures while introducing free jog and lope circles from the start of the level [1, 3, 5].

  
  

The tests function as closely related next steps after Introductory Level. A combination that can perform a solid USDF Training Level Test 1 can typically perform a solid WDAA Basic Level Test 1 (and vice versa) with adjustments mainly in tack, terminology (trot/canter vs. jog/lope), and minor differences in frame preference and halt presentation [1–6].

References

1. United States Dressage Federation (USDF) / United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). 2023 USEF Training Level Test 1. Purpose, requirements, movements, directives, collective marks, and instructions. Effective December 1, 2022 – November 30, 2026.

2. USDF. “Introducing the 2023 Dressage Tests” and related purpose statements for Training Level. Confirms emphasis on lateral and longitudinal suppleness, steady tempo, acceptance of the bit, and correct geometry.

3. Western Dressage Association of America (WDAA). 2022 WDAA Basic Level Test 1. Official purpose, new requirements (20-meter circle at free jog; 20-meter circle at working lope), movements, directives, collective marks, arena options, and maximum points. Valid through 2026.

4. WDAA Judges Guidelines and Glossary (including Basic Level purpose statement and gait definitions). Emphasis on relaxation, harmony, pure gaits, and light contact.

5. USDF/USEF Training Level Test 1 score sheet and related documents (maximum points 260; average ride times; collectives; introduction of working canter and 20 m circles).

6. Western Dressage Association of America and related sources (including Mad Barn and USEF Western Dressage rules). Overview of levels, equipment, jog/lope definitions, and classical vs. Western comparisons.

   
   

Official test sheets from USDF (usdf.org) and WDAA (westerndressageassociation.org) remain the definitive sources for exact wording and requirements.