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Let’s Ride Fourth Level Test 3

Are you getting ready to make the leap from Third Level to Fourth Level this show season? Are you trying to learn the new 2023 USDF tests or are you having trouble learning the Fourth Level movements?

As you probably know, USDF revised many tests last year, and Fourth Level Test 3 was one of the tests they made changes to. In this week’s video, I will be riding my horse, Luigi, through Fourth Level Test 3 for you! It’s our first time riding through the test, and as I ride, I will be commenting on what the judges will be scoring you on, how to ride certain parts of the test better, and what I would like to see improve the next time I ride through the test.

Making the leap from Third to Fourth Level can definitely be challenging. Your halt at the beginning of your tests is now through the collected canter, the lines are a lot trickier, your flying changes really have to be confirmed, and you have the beginnings of canter pirouettes! If you need help as you make this exciting transition up a level, check out my Free Show Prep PDF mini-course! There are some great resources there that will help you and your horse as you advance together!

I hope this demo of Fourth Level Test 3 helps you ride your test more accurately and gives you an idea of what the judges will be expecting! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below!

Happy Riding!

Amelia

P.S. Need help preparing for show season? Download my free Show Prep PDF mini-course!

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
A smiling woman wearing a helmet and riding gear stands beside a chestnut horse with a black bridle and white saddle pad, holding its reins outdoors in a sunlit, green setting.
Hey there.
I'm Amelia Newcomb
At Amelia Newcomb Dressage, I work to develop a trusting and confident relationship between horse and rider. I draw on theories from both natural horsemanship and classical dressage, creating a holistic training approach that adapts to the unique needs of each horse and rider.
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I want to thank Amelia from the bottom of my heart for creating this group and learning module for us. I've followed your suggestions religiously even when it felt like we were hitting a wall at times. Finally, it all came through, all at once! I never thought I'd get a connection and have such light hands in the left lead canter, and yesterday we pulled off a 7 in left canter and an 8.5 in right canter in our WDAA Basic 1 test, with a total score of 67.3!
Amber Primm
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Holy Moly. I just learned that I earned 1st place at Training 1 with 5 entries in the class in a virtual show. I received a 65.00. Wow. This is starting to work. Thank you Amelia. Thank you supportive new friends. I encourage you all to try virtual shows. I have tried Greystone, Lower Puget Sound and Oregon. Very helpful for building confidence. I really support this idea. It works like this: you ride at home, send in your video, and then you receive your test with judge comments and your ribbon in the mail. See you all in Strides!!
Joanna Sachs
Joanna Sachs
We see and feel the difference!! Thank you Amelia for this difficult but very helpful program. Our #1 issue was giraffe head in transitions. Downward as well as up. Don't look at my position, I was giving everything to the aids for him to maintain roundness in the trans. Now it will be time to work on our position more!
Carol Anne Marano
Carol Anne Marano
I can't stop making progress, thanks to this awesome program. Today my horse and I could do the counter canter on both hands on the first attempt without our trainer.. Thank you so much for explaining my missing parts! I have to wait until tomorrow, 8 hours of time difference, to see who is the lucky one, but I think we are all lucky to join this incredible program!!
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Sandra Künkel
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