New National Tests: Training and First Levels
Initial observations indicate that there are no major changes in the new tests at these levels.  The purposes of the Training and First Levels have not changed. 
Training 1 - Remains the same.
Training 2 - Now has 16 movements.  The trot transition at C is a separate movement.  Before it was scored with the 20 meter Circle at E.
Training 3-The first canter depart (left lead) can now be developed on the first quarter of the 20 meter circle at A.  There will still be two scores; one for the transition into canter and one for the circle.  The second canter depart will be developed the same (just tracking to the right) with two scores again.  The former movement #12 has now changed to going straight ahead at B rather than across the diagonal to H.  The trot stretch circle will now be performed at C and the test ends with turns at E and X, halting at G.
Training 4-The canter down the long side (after the 20 meters circles at E on both leads ) are now being judged with the transition down to trot at C or A.  The directives still call attention to the straightness of the canter but all the way to C/A.  The first medium walk will begin at M and end at B now creating a shorter free walk across the diagonal to K.  A trot across the diagonal FXH has been added and the trot stretch circle will now be at C.  Missing will be the long trot from B half way around the arena to the turns at E and X just before the final halt.
First 1-Now has a separate score for the Free Walk and for the Medium Walk (they were formerly both together and a coefficient of two).  The Medium Walk score from E-F will not be a coefficient of two.  Also added into the walk work will be another score; the "pick up" of the reins while maintaining rhythm, tempo and activity of walk.  Formerly, the walk work (including the down trans. into walk) had two scores with one of the scores a coef. of two.  Now the First 1 walk work will have four scores and the free walk will be a coef. of two.  The walk work now constitutes five of the 21 performance scores.  Before the walk work was made up of three of the 19 performance scores with the medium walk weighted the same as the free walk.
First 2-The lengthened canters are now the full length of the arena on both leads and the space to develop working canter has been reduced to the corners.  The Free walk is now longer going from F-S shortening the first medium walk.  Also another score has been added into the walk work in this test as well.  The transition from free walk to medium walk at S will now be scored separately.
First 3-Both trot lengthenings can be rising or sitting now.  The trot score after the first trot lengthening before the leg yielding has been left out in the new tests.  The first medium walk is now being scored with the Halt at A and again, the transition from free walk to medium walk at B will add another score to the walk work.  The old tests walk work had three scores (free walk a coef. of 2) and the new tests will have 3 scores as well but the walk work is longer for both the medium and free walks.  First 3 is the only first level test in which there is not a stretchy trot circle.
First 4-Both trot lengthenings can now be rising or sitting.  The walk work has the "pick up" score added into the total performance scores.  The new movement in #21 has shorter diagonal with the trot trans. at I followed by the stretchy circle at V.

To view the tests yourself: Go online to usef. org.  These new editions become effective with the beginning of the 2007 USEF competition year (December 1, 2006) and will remain in use for the next four years (until November 30, 2010).  Please note all USEF Dressage Tests are protected under copyright law. Unauthorized duplication or printing in any way is strictly prohibited. Organizations interested in reproduction or printing of these tests should contact Scott Carling. Assistant Executive Director of Marketing. (859) 225-6928.

Article Submitted by:  Bonnie Griest

Next month the new tests at Second, Third and Fourth Levels will be reviewed.

Related Articles of Interest:
USDF Symposium Oct. News Release 2006
USEA Convention Oct. News Release 2006