Cavaletti Bootcamp with Lisa Hellmer, Lesson 1: The Circle

2026 USEA Novice Test A Playbook with Peter Gray

In this dressage test playbook, world-renowned dressage judge Peter Gray goes movement-by-movement through the test. He describes how to execute the most accurate test and avoid common mistakes to get the best scores possible. Meet Your Coach: Peter Gray Peter was a judge at the 2022 FEI World Championships for Eventing in Pratoni, Italy. He is a Grand Prix dressage rider and coach. He has both ridden in and coached at the Olympics in the sport of eventing. Start your 14-day free trial and get full access to hundreds of lessons and podcast episodes at ⁠Ride-iQ.com⁠ [https://ride-iq.com/] For just $29.99/month, Ride iQ membership includes: 👉 Unlimited on-demand audio lessons: Access to the Ride iQ mobile app and the complete library of 400+ audio lessons with new lessons added every Tuesday 👉 In-app private podcasts: Ride iQ private podcasts are both entertaining and educational, including interviews with your favorite top riders and experts 👉 Weekly live virtual Ask An Expert events: Members have direct access to a Ride iQ coach or guest expert every week and can ask any questions they have 👉 Access to the private FB community: The camaraderie and sense of community within this group is really something! In addition to awesome riders from all over the country and world, you’ll find Ride iQ coaches and founders here, too! 👉 Invitations to Ride iQ events: These include sponsored course walks, competition parties, and special virtual events. Yeah, you’re a VIP. For full access, start your 2-week free trial today at ⁠Ride-iQ.com⁠ [https://ride-iq.com/].

Lesson 1: Thighs On, Feet Light

This is a preview of Biomechanics for Every Rider: 10 lessons for a stronger, more balanced position with Suzanne Galdun. For access to the full program with Suzanne and hundreds of other audio lessons, start your free trial at ⁠Ride-iQ.com⁠ [https://ride-iq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=cavaletti_bootcamp]. In this lesson, riders learn to balance their torso weight over their legs by rotating the femurs inward, turning the upper leg into a weight-bearing surface and taking weight out of the feet. You'll work on leg alignment, the correct mechanics of the leg aid, and holding these changes through transitions and on straight and bending lines. Accessible for all levels and disciplines. ● Arena Size / Specifications   20m x 60m arena  ● Before You Ride  Watch this pre-ride video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDRAijJ4UAo] ● Horse / Rider Experience Level  This is a useful exercise for horses and riders that are comfortable with trotting.  ● Pony Club Certification  This lesson is well-suited for horse/rider pairs at D-3 level or above.  ● Horse Temperament  This is a great exercise for all horse types.   ● Lesson Preview  1:00: Walking around while Suzanne explains the lesson  7:15: Halt, stand up in the stirrups, walk on  11:15: Walking, around the arena, 20m circle, in both directions  17:20: Halt, stand up in the stirrups, walk on  21:15: Trotting, around the arena, in both directions  28:20: Walking, around the arena, in both directions  34:00: Trotting, shallow loop, 20m circle, in both directions  39:30: Walk and pat your horse!

2023 USEF Training Level Test 1 Playbook with Bill McMullin

This is a full length preview of a Dressage Test Playbook by Bill McMullin. For access to all the other USEF Test Playbooks by Bill, start your free trial at ⁠Ride-iQ.com [https://ride-iq.com/]⁠. [Use code BILL for 20% off for the lifetime of your membership. This offer expires soon.] In this Dressage Test Playbook, USEF 'S' dressage judge Bill McMullin gives you movement-by-movement tips for the 2023 USEF Training Level Test 1 (this is the test that's currently in-use). Download the 2023 Training Level Test 1 [https://www.usdf.org/docs/showflash/web/tests/2023/2023%20Training%201%204.7.pdf?t=8/20/2025%201:56:57%20PM ]

Training Level Riders, Start Here: USEF Training Level Overview

This is a full length preview of a Dressage Test Playbook by Bill McMullin. For access to all the other USEF Test Playbooks by Bill, start your free trial at ⁠Ride-iQ.com [https://ride-iq.com/]⁠. [Use code BILL for 20% off for the lifetime of your membership. This offer expires soon.] In this Dressage Test Playbook, USEF 'S' dressage judge Bill McMullin gives an overview of training level. He will discuss the purpose of the level, the training scale, the collective marks, and more. This overview will be referenced in the specific Training Level Playbooks.

Cavaletti Bootcamp with Lisa Hellmer, Lesson 1: The Circle

This is a preview of Cavaletti Bootcamp: 10 lessons for a fitter, more focused horse with Lisa Hellmer. For access to the full program with Lisa and hundreds of other audio lessons, start your free trial at Ride-iQ.com [https://ride-iq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=cavaletti_bootcamp]. [Use code LISA for 20% off for the lifetime of your membership] Cavaletti on a Circle | Balance, Suppleness & Tempo 9 min walk | 9 min trot | 6 min canter In this lesson, Lisa Hellmer works to develop balance, suppleness, and a consistent tempo using four cavaletti set on a circle. The exercise progresses from walk to trot to canter while maintaining rhythm and balance through the turns and over the poles. By riding over selected poles, all four poles, and adding circles to the inside or outside after each cavaletti, the exercise encourages better bend, coordination, and adjustability while helping the horse stay relaxed and organized in each gait. Pre-Ride Video Watch the demo video [https://youtu.be/XRPyEV2d9eg]before you ride through the lesson. Exercise Setup Set four cavaletti evenly spaced on a circle. Diagram Setup  [https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/638e6d4deb6ae602fabe39c8/69b4631b64b05dcc17eacd81_The%20Circle%20with%20Lisa%20Hellmer_Setup.png] Exercise 1  [https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/638e6d4deb6ae602fabe39c8/69b4631c81b93584ef44a860_The%20Circle%20with%20Lisa%20Hellmer_EXERCISE%201.png] Exercise 2  [https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/638e6d4deb6ae602fabe39c8/69b4631c097597710041ecf1_The%20Circle%20with%20Lisa%20Hellmer_EXERCISE%202.png] Exercise 3 [https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/638e6d4deb6ae602fabe39c8/69e7c25e1a3e6025f15b43cc_Two%20and%20Two%20with%20Lisa%20Hellmer_Exercise%203.png]Exercise 4  [https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/638e6d4deb6ae602fabe39c8/69b4631c91bbd992618f8918_The%20Circle%20with%20Lisa%20Hellmer_EXERCISE%204.png] Horse & Rider Suitability Ideal for riders and horses comfortable working over cavaletti at the walk, trot, and canter. Arena Size / Specifications 20m x 60m arena Lesson Breakdown 1:00: Walking around while Lisa explains the lesson 4:30: Walking, ride over the poles on bending lines, both directions 7:30: Trotting, stretchy trot; pick two poles to ride over, both directions 10:00: Cantering, around the poles, one direction 10:30: Trotting, ride over all four poles in working trot 12:00: Cantering, around the poles, same direction 12:30: Trotting, change directions and pick up the canter 13:15: Trotting, ride over all four poles in working trot 14:00: Cantering, around the poles, other direction 14:30: Walking, take a short break 16:30: Trotting, after each pole ride a circle to the inside or outside; alternate circles if desired, one direction 18:00: Cantering, ride over all four poles, same direction 19:00: Trotting, repeat the circle exercise after each pole, other direction 20:00: Cantering, ride over all four poles, same direction 23:00: Trotting, allow the horse to stretch forward and downward on a circle 24:00: Walk and pat your horse!