First Level Dressage (USDF v. 2023) Workshop

Your dream of entering the winner's circle is just outside of your reach. You seem to have all the skills, it's just not translating to scores when you get in the show ring. Or perhaps you're not sure if you're ready to make the leap from Training to First Level. Discover what you're missing with my First Level Competition Course. Upon completion, you will be prepared to ride down the centerline at First Level! This course will give you a complete understanding of the requirements of First level and how to train your horse to get the scores you want.

This course is designed for YOU, if you are:

  • Confused about how dressage judging works
  • Frustrated that you just can't get into the ribbons
  • Stuck that you're not improving your scores or riding
  • Afraid of test riding
  • Struggling with confidence in the show ring

This course gives you:

  • Confidence in your own abilities and in your ride
  • The theory and logic behind the purpose of each level of Dressage
  • Specific exercises for each movement in the tests
  • How to build on your riding at each level to produce better rides
  • The ability to increase your scores and abilities

The course starts with an introduction to "the purpose" of First Level, the movements required at First Level, the gaits, what the judges are looking for, and how they will be scoring you. This will help you assess what you need to work on to get ready for First Level and also the new expectations that the judges have at this level.

The course then goes over the 3 First Level Tests (2023 version) and gives a movement by movement commentary on what the rider should be thinking and doing in each movement. The First Level tests are much more complex than Training Level so this section is helpful to see and learn the patterns.

The next section of the course breaks down the difficult movements and helps the rider understand how to teach the horse to perform each individual movement. First Level has leg-yields, counter canter, stretch circles, trot and canter lengthening, and MORE. So this section breaks down those movements and helps you introduce them to your horse.


What you get when you enroll:

  • Learn how to ride each movement
  • Specific videos on topics such as (The Scoring and Collective marks, The Leg-Yield, Trot and Canter Lengthenings, Counter Canter on the Loop, and MORE!)
  • Get a step-by-step for each Frist Level Level test (watch and listen to Amelia riding the tests)
  • Learn the Theory (learn what judges are looking for)
  • Getting the right mindset (train your mind and body)
  • Competition Preparation (the warm-up, braiding, and more)
  • USDF University credits
  • Ability to ask questions at any time
  • Lifetime Access
  • 100% Horsie Guarantee (30-day, no questions asked!)

Make this year the season you improve your test performance, improve your scores, and win blue ribbons.


Your Instructor


Amelia Newcomb
Amelia Newcomb

As a dressage trainer, my goal is to make good training accessible to everyone who is interested in learning. I want to help YOU "learn, to love your ride!"

~ Amelia


Amelia is passionate about sharing her knowledge of riding, horses and dressage. She has trained numerous horses and riders from Training Levels to the Grand Prix. Dressage is hard and she loves the challenge of educating riders and horses. Amelia has a clear understanding of rider position, how to ride a horse and train the movements.


Unlike many top riders, Amelia was NOT a natural talent and fell off so many times in her early riding days that her instructor nearly told her parents she should quit riding! Perseverance, love of all horses, and determination, not innate talent, is what made Amelia into the rider and horsewoman that she is today. Amelia is incredibly grateful to all the teachers who have helped her on this journey especially Joh Hinnemann, Christine Traurig, Sue Martin, Larry Fleming and Julie Barringer-Richers and of course the thousands of horses she's ridden including Geronimo, Trump, and Harvey.


Amelia enjoys helping each individual student and horse find harmony, trust, and balance. "Nothing is more rewarding than watching one of my students glide harmoniously around the ring together with their horse! This makes my heart soar!" says Amelia.


Amelia hopes to one day represent the U.S.A. on the international circuit and loves training her three horses, Harvey, Kensington and Luigi in Los Angeles, CA. Amelia has her USDF Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, She is the winner of the prestigious USEF Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize and a member of the USEF Dressage Development Program.


Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish. This way you can pace yourself to be ready for your first competition at first level!!
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.
Am I at the right level for this course?
This course is designed for horses and riders of all levels! We work to break things down and focus on the basics in such a way that the horse and rider can both be successful and make progress.