The USEA Eventing By The Levels Handbook

62 Intermediate Level Teaching and Rider Requirements Required for ECP Coaches Levels IV-V Intermediate Level Purpose The Intermediate Level is an examination of increasing technical difficulty, preparing riders and horses for FEI 3*, 4* and the Ad- vanced level. Open to competitors from the beginning of the calendar year of their 16th birthday, on horses six years of age or older. Both the competitor and the horse must have obtained the required MERs. INTERMEDIATE Intermediate Specifications for Competition (for complete specifications refer to the USEF Rules For Eventing): Show Jumping • Maximum Course Length: 600m • Speed: 350mpm • Jumping Efforts: 12-14 Cross-Country • Distance: 2600-3575m • Speed: 550mpm • Jumping Efforts: 26-34 • Fixed Height: 3'9" • Brush Height: 4'5" • Top Spread: 5'3" • Base Spread: 7'11" • Drop Height: 5'11" Intermediate Level Rider Expectations Overview Riders at the Intermediate Level should be able to successful- ly execute all expectations of the Starter through Preliminary Level Requirements. Intermediate Level Riders must ride with a strong, solid foundation of position and skills which properly equips them for the higher degree of technical and physical difficulty expected at the Intermediate level. Intermediate Level riders should be capable of producing horses that are well-educated according to the Training Scale at every level and in all three phases. Expertise at this lev- el implies a correct, secure, and influential position, and the invisible application of coordinated aids on the flat and over fences. They should be able to produce a harmonious and bal- anced dressage test, demonstrating a strong understanding of the medium, collected and extended gaits, specifically, the ex- tended and medium walk, the collected, medium and extended trot, and the collected and medium canter. Intermediate rid- ers should understand and produce the correct execution of shoulder-in, haunches-in, half-pass, half-turn on the haunch- es, rein back, counter canter, and the simple change of lead. Intermediate Level riders should be able to utilize the link be- tween their dressage training and movements to support and improve the quality of their jumping in all their training. They should be able to choose and adjust the canter stride length while maintaining the correct energy and balance for show jumping a course which includes multiple combinations, and various related distances on straight or bending lines. They should be able to produce, throughout the cross-coun- try test, the correct rider position, correct and accurate line, sustained balance and energy, and appropriate speed for changing terrain and a variety of questions requiring accura- cy, agility and boldness, control, judgment and jumping ability. Intermediate level riders should implement and adhere to a year-round program of work, education, practice, and person- al fitness which prepares and supports the horse both physi- cally and mentally for competition at this level, or in support of their training and/or competition goals as appropriate. To this end riders at the Intermediate level should incorporate a comprehensive conditioning program and a competition schedule which enables the horse's healthy progress towards their ultimate competition goals. All aspects of horse health and management should be di- rectly overseen by the rider at this level. Intermediate riders should know how to identify potential health and soundness issues, adjust their program accordingly, and must assess the risk of injury to their horse in every aspect of their manage- ment program. Riders must have complete knowledge and understanding of all USEF rules governing participation in competition at the Intermediate Level, and FEI rules govern- ing CCI3* competitions as appropriate. • Height: 3'11" • Spread: 4'7" • Triple Bar Spread: 5'3" • Fixed Height: 3'7"

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