United States Eventing Association

Preparing for your first horse trial and not sure what is expected of you at each level? Over the course of the next few Rule Refreshers, we will be diving into each level and the performance expectations of each phase. Want to better prepare yourself or your students for their first competition or a move-up? The USEA Eventing Handbook by the Levels is a free resource to all USEA members that outlines clear and consistent guidelines for riders and trainers to refer to when navigating their way through the competition levels. You can access this guide by logging into your online services account.

Text has been taken directly from the USEF Rules for Eventing with emphasis added by the USEA.

For an additional description of the types of obstacles that may be presented at a given level, please refer to the USEA Cross-Country Obstacle Design Guidelines, which are not specifically incorporated by reference.

Training—The Training Level is an elementary examination of competitors and horses with some experience and training.

a. Dressage: The dressage test may ask for further development of the basic gaits, including lengthening at the trot and canter, as well as 10-meter trot and 15-meter canter figures.

b. Cross-Country: The cross-country may include:

1. Combinations with upright obstacles a minimum of 24 feet from one another, and an obstacle before and/or after a ditch at a minimum of 30 feet.
2. Steps in combination may include: a step down followed by a step up at a minimum of 30 feet, two steps down a minimum of 18 feet, two steps up at a minimum of 18 feet, or obstacle after a step up a minimum of 18 feet.
3. Water may include a jump into water or a jump out of water or an obstacle jumped from water to water.

c. Show Jumping: The jumping course must include either (i) two doubles; or (ii) simple triple combination in the second part of the course with only one oxer.

1. If the oxer is at the “b” or “c” parts of any combination it should be set on two strides at a minimum of 35 feet.
2. The course should introduce simple technical questions with some related jumps set at a minimum of 70 feet.
3. If a liverpool is used it must be built as a vertical over the center of the liverpool tray and a straight forward alternative jump must be offered.

MODIFIED: The Modified Level is for the training level horse with the intent on progressing to the FEI CCI1* and Preliminary level.

a. Dressage: The dressage may include medium paces at trot and canter, as well as the introduction of leg yielding, and changes of lead through trot.

b. Cross-Country: The cross-country course should introduce tests of accuracy, agility and boldness, control, judgment and jumping ability.

c. Show Jumping: The show jumping course shall include two doubles, or a double and a triple combination.

1. If a triple combination is used, it should be in the second part of the course and with only one oxer.
2. It should be more technical than the training level with any related jumps, set at a minimum of 70 feet.

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