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In 5 questions · about 2 minutes

Find your level.

Working equitation runs from introductory walk-trot up to one-handed advanced work. Answer five quick questions about you and your horse, and we'll point you to the right starting level for a show or a clinic.

We don't run a cattle trial in our region, so that won't factor into your result.

Question of

Step 01

Can you and your horse canter?

Step 02

How comfortable is your canter work?

Step 03

How do you ride the trot?

Step 04

What do your lead changes look like?

Step 05

How does your horse handle new or unusual objects?

You'll be navigating bridges, gates, barrels, poles, and more in the Ease of Handling trial.

Prefer to read first? Browse all six levels below.

Level by level

What each level asks for

Six levels run from introductory walk-trot through one-handed advanced work. Here's what changes at each step.

Level 01

Level 1 — Intro

The best starting point for most new horse-and-rider pairs.

Who it's for

New riders to WE, green horses, or any combination that isn't yet cantering reliably.

Dressage requirements

  • Walk and trot only — canter is not allowed
  • Rising or sitting trot, your choice
  • Basic movements: 20m circles, simple serpentines, intro lateral work
  • Halt from walk or trot
  • One or two hands on the reins — no restriction

Ease of Handling

  • Obstacles ridden at walk or trot only
  • Minimum 10 obstacles on the course
  • No Speed Trial — only Dressage and EOH
  • If you drop something, the ground crew hands it back to you
  • Up to 3 refusals allowed at each obstacle before moving on

Newcomer tip

A test reader is allowed at this level — someone can stand ringside and read your dressage test movements aloud as you ride. You don't need to memorize the test.

Level 02

Level 2 — Novice A

First steps into canter and a Speed trial.

Who it's for

Riders with a working canter and basic lead changes through the trot, ready to add a Speed trial.

Dressage requirements

  • Canter required in the test
  • Rising or sitting trot still your choice
  • Lead changes through the trot
  • 20m circles, basic lateral movements
  • One or two hands on the reins

Ease of Handling

  • Canter required between obstacles
  • Trot required on most obstacles
  • Minimum 10 obstacles
  • Speed Trial added at this level
  • If you drop something, you must dismount, retrieve it, remount, and then complete the obstacle

Newcomer tip

The Speed Trial uses the same course as EOH — same obstacles, same order — but ridden at speed with no gait restrictions. A test reader is still allowed for dressage at this level.

Watch out for

At L2 and above, if you drop an obstacle component you must retrieve it yourself. The ground crew no longer helps.

Level 03

Level 3 — Novice B

Consolidating canter work across all obstacles.

Who it's for

Riders comfortable cantering on and between obstacles, with reliable lead changes through the trot.

Dressage requirements

  • Canter required throughout
  • Rising or sitting trot still allowed
  • Lead changes through the trot required
  • 15m circles, 4-loop serpentine, turn on haunches introduced
  • One or two hands on the reins

Ease of Handling

  • Canter required on and between obstacles (a step up from L2)
  • Minimum 10 obstacles
  • Same drop / dismount / remount rule as L2
  • Up to 3 refusals still allowed

Newcomer tip

The main difference from L2 is that canter is now expected on the obstacles themselves, not just between them. The test reader is no longer permitted from L3 onward — you'll need to know your dressage test.

Level 04

Level 4 — Intermediate A

Collected work, sitting trot, and simple changes through the walk.

Who it's for

More experienced combinations ready for collected work and stricter obstacle rules.

Dressage requirements

  • Sitting trot required throughout — no rising trot
  • Simple lead changes through the walk
  • Collected and medium gaits
  • Half pirouette, rein back 6–10 steps
  • One or two hands on the reins

Ease of Handling

  • Canter required on and between all appropriate obstacles
  • Minimum 13 obstacles
  • Simple lead changes required on slaloms, figure 8s, and drums
  • Dropped item → must dismount to retrieve it, or face disqualification
  • A third refusal at any obstacle = disqualification (not just a 0)

Watch out for

The stakes are significantly higher at L4. A dropped item that isn't corrected, or a third refusal, results in disqualification from that obstacle or the trial entirely. Strong fundamentals are essential before entering this level.

Level 05

Level 5 — Intermediate B

Flying changes and increased engagement.

Who it's for

Riders with confirmed flying changes and a solid foundation in collected work.

Dressage requirements

  • Sitting trot required
  • Flying lead changes required
  • Collected canter, medium and extended gaits
  • 10m circles, half pass, full pirouette
  • One or two hands on the reins

Ease of Handling

  • Flying changes required on slaloms, figure 8s, and drums
  • Minimum 13 obstacles
  • Same strict rules as L4 for drops and refusals

Newcomer tip

L5 is the last level where two hands on the reins are permitted. Level 6 (Advanced) requires one hand only for the entire trial.

Level 06

Level 6 — Advanced

One-handed throughout — the top tier of domestic competition.

Who it's for

Experienced riders with confirmed advanced movements, riding one-handed in the classical Iberian tradition.

Dressage requirements

  • One hand on the reins required throughout
  • Sitting trot, flying changes, tempi changes
  • Advanced collection, half pass, full pirouette
  • Demanding test geometry

Ease of Handling

  • One-handed throughout the trial
  • Minimum 15 obstacles
  • Strict drop / refusal rules as at L4 and L5

Note

L6 and L7 (Masters) are not recommended as starting levels for newcomers. They're shown here for completeness — if you're working toward them, you likely already have a coach guiding the progression.

At a glance

Quick reference

The same information, side by side. Useful for comparing requirements across levels.

Level Trot Canter Lead changes Speed trial Min. obstacles Hands
L1 — Intro Rising or sitting Not allowed N/A No 10 1 or 2
L2 — Novice A Rising or sitting Required Through trot Yes 10 1 or 2
L3 — Novice B Rising or sitting Required Through trot Yes 10 1 or 2
L4 — Inter A Sitting only Required Through walk Yes 13 1 or 2
L5 — Inter B Sitting only Required Flying Yes 13 1 or 2
L6 — Advanced Sitting only Required Flying Yes 15 1 only

L6 and L7 are not recommended as starting levels for newcomers to the sport.

Before you enter

Things every newcomer should know

  • You can have a test reader at L1 and L2.

    Someone can stand by the arena and read each dressage movement aloud as you ride. From L3 onward, you're on your own.

  • The same rules apply whether it's a show or a clinic.

    The obstacle requirements, gaits, and scoring are consistent — a clinic is just a lower-pressure environment to practice them.

  • Your level is about your horse-and-rider combination, not just your riding experience.

    A highly experienced rider on a green horse may still be best suited to L1 or L2. The test evaluates the partnership, not the rider alone.

  • You can move levels between competitions.

    Once you've competed at a level, you can choose to move up or down based on how it goes. You aren't locked in forever.

  • Dropping an obstacle item is handled differently by level.

    L1: the ground crew hands it back to you. L2 / L3: you must dismount, retrieve it, remount, and complete the obstacle — or take a 0. L4 and above: you must dismount and complete the obstacle, or face disqualification.

  • A refusal means the horse stops, steps backward, or circles before entering an obstacle.

    At L1–L3, you get three attempts. At L4 and above, a third refusal is a disqualification.

Based on the 2026 Working Equitation Canada (WECan) Competition Rules. For full rules and current test sheets, see workingeq.ca or our resources page.

Still not sure?

Auditing a schooling show or clinic is the fastest way to place yourself — you'll see every level ridden in an afternoon. Or send us a note and we'll talk through your riding background.

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