Third level dressage adds the half pass and flying lead change elements to its tests. This level is used to determine the horse's ability to perform the medium and extended paces required at second level. The transistion to and from collected gaits is equally important at third level. Furthermore, the horse is judged on suppleness, rhythm, throughness, impulsion, straightness and acceptance of the bit.
Third Level is comprised of 3 tests. The Musical Freestyle is also performed at this level. These tests include walk, trot and canter work. The half pass and flying lead changes are also added at this level. Each third level test is shown below next to its corresponding video clip.
Required movements for third level dressage include:
Trot - Medium, Extended & Collected, Half Pass, Shoulder In
Walk - Medium, Free and Shorten Stride, 1/2 Turn on Haunches
Canter - Medium & Collected, Counter-Canter & Flying Lead Changes
Halts - collected trot to halt
Freestyle Requirements - maximum of 5 minutes in length -
Total of 240 points (120 pts each for technical & artistic marks)
Walk - 20m minimum continuous extended
Trot Half Pass
Extended Trot
Shoulder-In - must be performed on each rein
Canter Half Pass - must be performed on each rein
Counter Canter - must be performed on each rein
Flying Change of Lead - must be performed on each rein
Extended Canter
Third Level Dressage VideoClips& Tests (These tests are based on the 2007 USDF Dressage Tests.)
Video Clips
Third Level Tests
Third Level Dressage - Test 1
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Third Level Dressage - Test 1
1
A - Enter Collected trot X - Halt, Salute
Proceed Collected Trot
2
C - Track Left S-V - Shoulder-In Left
3
V-L - Half Circle 10m L-S - Half Pass Left
4
R-P - Shoulder-In Right
5
P-L - Half Circle 10m L-R - Half Pass Right
6
HXF - Medium Trot F - Collected Trot
7
A - Halt, Rein Back 4 Steps
Proceed Medium Walk
8
K-R - Extended Walk
9
R - Medium Walk M - Turn Left Between G&H - Shorten Stride, Half Turn on Haunches Left
Proceed Medium Walk
10
Between G&M - Shorten Stride, Half Turn on Haunches Right
Proceed Medium Walk H - Track Right H-C - Medium Walk
11
Medium Walk RMG(H)G(M)GHC
12
Before C - Shorten the Stride in Walk C - Collected Canter Right Lead
13
M-E - Medium Canter F - Collected Canter
14
V - Circle Right 10m
15
V-R - Change Rein, Flying Change between Centerline and R
16
C - Circle Left 20m, showing a clear release of inside rein for 4-5 strides over centerline
17
H-K - Entended Canter K - Collected Canter
18
Transitions at H & K
19
P - Circle Left 10m
20
P-S - Change Rein, Flying Change between Centerline and S
