Dressage Levels Explained: What Z, ZZ, Small Tour, and Grand Prix Mean in an Advert

Quick Answer: A level designation in a sales advert — "Z2", "M/S", "Small Tour", "Second Level", or "PSG/I1" — tells you how far a dressage horse has been trained and which movements it has confirmed. In Europe, the ladder typically progresses from B → L → M → Z → ZZ → Small Tour → Big Tour/Grand Prix. Other countries use their own labels (Germany E/A/L/M/S, internationally "Small Tour" and "Big Tour", the US "Training/First/Second Level"). These correspond approximately — not exactly. Below, you'll find a comparison table, which movements belong to which level, and how to choose the right level for your riding ability.

Anyone buying internationally will immediately notice the confusion. In recent adverts from June 2026, similarly trained horses are described as "Small Tour schoolmaster", "M/S", "Second Level", or "Medium Tour" — four labels for roughly one level of training. This article deciphers them, so you can confidently read adverts from Europe, the UK, or the US side-by-side.

The European Dressage Ladder (KNHS - Dutch Federation Example)

The European classes generally progress from lower to higher. Each level adds collection and more difficult movements.

International Levels Side-by-Side

Use this table to interpret international adverts. "Small Tour" is the international umbrella term for Prix St. Georges and Intermédiaire I; "Big Tour" for Intermédiaire II and Grand Prix.

Verifiable vs. Assumption: This is a practical guideline, not an official conversion. The FEI levels (PSG, Inter I/II, Grand Prix) are internationally defined and thus fixed; the link between national classes (e.g., NL Z ≈ German M) is an approximation, as the tests differ in content and difficulty. A horse that wins "M" in Germany will not automatically perform a flawless Z test in the Netherlands. Therefore, read the label as a guide, not a guarantee.

Which Movements Belong to Which Level?

• B–L (Basic): Suppleness, regularity, simple transitions and turns. The horse does not yet need to collect.
• M (Beginning Collection): Shoulder-in, travers/half-pass in walk and trot, counter canter. This is where "neat riding" separates from "true schooling."
• Z–ZZ: Half-passes in trot AND canter, initial and then single flying changes, introduction to pirouette. In ZZ-Heavy, the first piaffe and passage work appears.
• Small Tour (PSG / Inter I): Flying changes in series — every four, three, and two strides — and full canter pirouettes.
• Big Tour / Grand Prix: Piaffe, passage, the piaffe–passage transition, and one-tempi changes (change per canter stride). This is the highest level.

If an advert mentions terms like flying changes, half-pass, pirouette, piaffe, or passage, you can use these to deduce the horse's actual confirmed level — regardless of the country label.

Deciphering Sales Terms

• "Schoolmaster": An experienced, reliable horse that already performs at the level and can teach you. Ideal for an ambitious amateur, junior, or young rider.
• "Prospect" / "Talent": Young, with aptitude for a level that is not yet confirmed. More potential, but also more risk and training time.
• "6-/7-year-old work": Training towards a specific level (e.g., first changes or beginning piaffe), but formally still competing in young horse tests.
• "Amateur friendly" / "Rideable": This refers to temperament and manageability, not level. Always assess it independently of the training status.

Which Level Suits You? Buyer's Checklist

1. Honestly assess your own riding level. Don't buy three classes above yourself; that frustrates both horse and rider.
2. Do you want to learn? One level higher with a schoolmaster often works well. If you want to train the horse yourself, choose a confirmed lower level or a prospect.
3. Request competition results, not just the stated level. "Competing at Z" and "consistently winning Z2 with 65%+" are not the same.
4. Watch a video of an entire test, not just isolated highlights. The market signal is clear: adverts often showcase only the best ten seconds.
5. Confirm with a trial ride and, if in doubt about health, a pre-purchase veterinary examination.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is Small Tour? Small Tour is the international name for the tests Prix St. Georges and Intermédiaire I. The horse masters series changes and full pirouettes, but not yet piaffe and passage.

Is the Dutch Z level the same as the German M? Approximately. Both are around the beginning of advanced collection with half-passes and initial changes. However, the tests differ, so view it as a guideline, not a one-to-one conversion.

What's the difference between "Small Tour" and "Grand Prix"? Small Tour = PSG and Intermédiaire I (series changes, pirouettes). Grand Prix falls under "Big Tour" and adds piaffe, passage, and one-tempi changes — the highest international level.

What level does a beginner amateur need? For most amateurs, a reliable B, L, or M level horse is the best foundation. An M/Z schoolmaster makes sense if you specifically want to learn changes and half-passes.

How do I quickly read an international advert? Look up the country label in the table above and check which movements are mentioned. The movements tell the truth; the label tells the marketing.

Once you find the right level, compare several horses in the same class before deciding — that will give you a feel for price and quality.