I was looking for something on YouTube and saw this video. It’s an official introduction to that test so I am sure it’s ok to post it, Please ignore the German commentator, just watch the rider… It’s pretty impressive for 2nd level I think
Lovely horse. Lovely Rider. And what I would expect from a rider showing 2nd Level.
The problem with US riders is that they think that their upper limit is an aspiration to 1st level.
Every rider should have an aspiration and train like they are on their way to GP. Now reality may not let them get there, but what I around me is people who limit their thinking about what is possible.
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Very nice horse, (and rider) interesting test to watch. Re pluvinel’s comment - yes we have a different mindset - but here’s my thought based on some anecdotal evidence - self included. For a zillion years from college onward my personal goals and focus related to my job/career. It was stressful and very time consuming.
I had a horse most of that time, and along the way did some showing in several disciplines. But that time and effort was my source of relaxation, my sanity away from the corporate world, one of my major sources of exercises, my escape. I had no interest in really pushing myself and adding stress. Now I’m much older, and it was only about 7 or so years ago ( well into my 50’s) that I began to push myself in riding - I had the time and the money and the drive.
Many of my friends are the same - they like lessons, but they ride for fun; are not driven to move up the levels, their drive is focused elsewhere.
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Lovely ride and lovely horse. Showing what I would expect at this level from a professional rider on a high quality, up and coming top sport horse.
in my fantasy life, when I am this person, this is what I would expect of myself, too.
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The problem with sniffy critics is that they think that everybody should have the same motivations and aspirations, and assume everybody has the same resources (time, money, access to quality instructor/trainer, quality of horseflesh, personal physical ability, general interest and enthusiasm on the topic). To me, one of the beauties of dressage, much like running, is that people can have goals and aspirations that are quite modest, even extremely modest, and increase the chances that they will achieve those goals and get the satisfaction THEY want, without interfering one whit with the people who are shooting for the stars. What does it matter to you if somebody is happily puttering about at 1st level and trying to beat their own last score? Or isn’t even trying to do that and is happy with doing the same thing at the same quality that they’ve been doing? Why is that a “problem” for you or for the sport as a whole?
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Not sure what the point is for this post? And - not a 2nd level test. L is a mid-lower level test - it contains some of the work from 3rd and even 4th level.
I am making a few assumptions here - do you post this wondering why our riders don’t look like this at 2nd level? If so, please review some of our better trainers on fancier young horses. This rider is a trainer on a very talented young horse. Does not Germany also have regular riders on regular horses? I wouldn’t compare this ride to an average AA rider on their $10k horse, it isn’t a reasonable comparison!
I know several good trainers in my region, and they all look this nice when they are working with fancy youngsters too. I actually think this horse looks pretty tight in the contact, closed in the neck and throat latch. I’m NOT saying I could do better, just pointing out, this is not the ideal ride either.
Anyway, I’m curious as to what your point is? You are in FL, do you not see some rides of this quality at shows? Yes, this is a quality horse and a quality rider. Totally agree. We also have quality horses and quality riders in the US.
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It’s a nice horse and rider, but it is not equivalent to the American 2nd level.
And no, not all riders in Germany are good :lol: @MysticOakRanch
I am a regular rider on a regular horse in Germany. There are others like me.
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I absolutely agree with Tobler’s statement I bolded above - it is one of my favorite parts of dressage that I can go in the ring and achieve the goals I set for myself irrespective of how I compare with others showing that day. Failure to understand that is part of why dressage is having a problem with declining entries at so many shows now. The shows more and more are gearing towards those shooting for the stars (and who have the money to pursue that course), and not at all about the “Discover the Joy” marketing BS being chucked about everywhere.
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You made me smile!
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I think it is not about riding shows yes or no, but about correct riding in dressage, so no matter what your goals are or what kind of horse you have - never with an average trainer.
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That would be super impressive if it was a 2nd level horse, but it’s not. 
I didn’t get past the first TOH and trot off, but from the few minutes I did see, I can tell you that 2nd level does not have canter entrances, 8m voltes, or half pass.
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Thank you everybody for all your input! A lot of you noticed things I was noticing too… first of all it is 2nd level in Germany… no flying change which starts to be included in 3rd level!! This is a German 2nd Level test!
No, it is NOT 2nd level. The flying change is not the definition of 3rd level, it is just ONE of the movements that is added at 3rd level. In fact, if you go back a few decades, the flying change was not added until 3rd level Test 2. You have ridden our 2nd level tests, you must realize we don’t do half pass, canter/halt, and some of the other more advanced movements seen in the L test?
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Hahaha, yeah, I figured that - it was kind of a “tongue in cheek” question:winkgrin:
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Whatever… if it makes you feel better…of course it has a different name in Germany It is called L-Dressur… Don’t you do your judges education?? It’s a pity you don’t learn anything about levels in other countries…
😀😀 found it… not sure whether you guys accept this article… probably not, but it can still post it… https://dressagetoday.com/theory/an-international-perspective-on-dressage-competition-52890
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My personal opinion is that this horse is more advanced then 2nd level, because for me the canter looks extremly collected and under control…
But I looked up the test for a friend of mine who is riding this exact 2nd level test in Germany this weekend… Not sure whether it will look like this, because the rider in this video is a pro and the horse looks very advanced to me and my friend is a regular AA.
MOR I hope I answered your question now, why I posted this video… I was looking for my friend in YouTube for a video of this test and found this one… I was impressed and wanted to share it… But now I guess I need to apologize because nobody is interested anything different view at all…
And the guy who is commenting it is explaining why they have a canter entrance and so on…This is one of the most difficult 2nd level tests which already leads toward 3rd level…
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Perhaps when discussing levels in other countries it would be wise to use the correct terminology for that country, as saying second level refers to a specific skill set in this country while L-dressur is something quite different and more advanced? That would also follow your comment about learning about levels in other countries.
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Clearly I’m not the one that needs to feels better. Even if one were to just count the levels, L wouldn’t be 2nd, but whatever.
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Oh so I guess you did not look at the article I posted… But whatever, if you choose to classify them your way so be it… so you are the expert… what level would you think this would be in the US???
