levade

horse movement

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

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The term "levade" refers to a specific show-ring movement in equestrianism. In this maneuver, a horse raises its forequarters and brings its hindquarters underneath, balancing on deeply bent haunches with its forelegs drawn up.1

This movement is part of haute école, or "high school" dressage, which involves advanced training to perfect a horse's natural movements. Dressage aims to develop a horse's balance, suppleness, and obedience, enabling it to perform complex maneuvers with precision and agility. The levade is one such advanced movement, showcasing the horse's control and athleticism.2

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horsemanship
Dressage
…more upward than forward; the levade, in which the horse stands balanced on its hindlegs, its forelegs drawn in; the courvet, which is a jump forward in the levade position; and the croupade, ballotade, and capriole, a variety of spectacular airs in which the horse jumps and lands again in…
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…more upward than forward; the levade, in which the horse stands balanced on its hindlegs, its forelegs drawn in; the courvet, which is a jump forward in the levade position; and the croupade, ballotade, and capriole, a variety of spectacular airs in which the horse jumps and lands again in…
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dressage
…collected, cadenced, high-stepping trot; the levade, in which the horse raises and draws in its forelegs, standing balanced on its bent hind legs; the courvet (courbette), a jump forward at the levade; and the capriole, in which the horse jumps straight upward, with its forelegs drawn in, kicking back with…
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…collected, cadenced, high-stepping trot; the levade, in which the horse raises and draws in its forelegs, standing balanced on its bent hind legs; the courvet (courbette), a jump forward at the levade; and the capriole, in which the horse jumps straight upward, with its forelegs drawn in, kicking back with…
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