EGC certification levels
Equine Good Companion™ certification runs across three levels: Young Horse, Companion and Advanced. Each one tests handling suited to that stage, so a horse builds toward calm, reliable ground manners step by step instead of all at once.
Why the program has three levels
United Pet Club splits Equine Good Companion™ certification into three levels because the handling worth testing changes with a horse's age and history, not because harder is always better. Young Horse covers a weanling through about three years old, still learning the fundamentals of being handled at all. Companion is the foundation level at any age, the entry point for a horse that has never had structured groundwork, regardless of how old it is.
That distinction matters in practice. An adult horse adopted with no handling history starts at Companion, not Advanced. Advanced assumes a horse already handles confidently and adds pressure: novel obstacles, a busy venue, longer stretches tied or trailered, and groundwork that asks a horse to move specific parts of its body on cue rather than just stand still.
All three levels sit under the Equine Good Companion program, and none of them involve riding. That scope decision is covered in full on the program overview.
Which level fits your horse
Start with whichever level matches what your horse can already do consistently, not its age alone. A young horse still learning to accept a halter and lead belongs at Young Horse, even if it happens to be three years old already. An older horse with no groundwork history also belongs at Companion, not Advanced, regardless of age.
If your horse already stands for the farrier, loads without drama, and handles calmly for routine grooming, you can go straight to Advanced. There is no rule requiring the lower levels first, and testing at a level your horse is not ready for wastes an assessment rather than proving anything.
Not sure where your horse fits? Contact us and we will help you figure out which level makes sense before you schedule an assessment.
How the levels compare
Haltering and leading
Young Horse checks accepting a halter and leading at a walk. Companion adds trot transitions on the lead. Advanced adds yielding the hindquarters and forehand, backing, and lateral work, well beyond simply moving forward and stopping.
Standing and farrier readiness
Young Horse checks standing tied briefly and picking up all four feet. Companion moves to standing for a full farrier trim. Advanced asks a horse to stand untied for the farrier entirely.
Grooming and body handling
Young Horse covers basic grooming acceptance. Companion adds bathing, hosing, clippers and fly spray. Advanced adds accepting bandaging and other medical handling.
Trailer loading and travel
Young Horse checks basic cooperation with loading. Companion covers loading and unloading reliably. Advanced expects self loading and composure through longer periods trailered.
Composure in new places
Young Horse is not tested on novel environments beyond its regular handling routine. Advanced specifically desensitizes and tests calm behavior at a busy venue such as show grounds, well past what Companion requires.
Testing options for all three levels
Every level of the Equine Good Companion program uses the same certification process: assessment in person, usually at your horse's own yard, or by video submission online, whichever fits your schedule. The standard does not change based on how you test, only based on which level you are testing for.
For the full walkthrough of what to expect on assessment day, see horse certification. If you want extra help preparing for any level, a certified horse trainer can work through specific exercises with you, though it is not required.
Beyond the three tested levels
A fourth award, Master, sits above Advanced in the Equine Good Companion program and is not tested by a United Pet Club evaluator directly. It pairs the Advanced level with a verified title from a recognized body, in disciplines such as dressage, driving, eventing or western performance. Groundwork is only half the picture for a Master horse, since the rest comes from documented accomplishment elsewhere, full detail lives on the Master award page. United Pet Club is not affiliated with USEF, USDF, FEI or any other organization, and the award never implies that it is.
Questions about the certification levels
How many levels does the EGC program have?
United Pet Club's Equine Good Companion program has three tested levels: Young Horse, Companion and Advanced, plus a Master award earned through the Advanced level and a verified outside title.
What is the difference between the Young Horse and Companion levels?
Young Horse covers a weanling through about three years old and tests basic handling: accepting a halter, leading at a walk, standing tied briefly, and picking up feet. Companion holds a horse of any age to a higher standard on the same fundamentals, adding trot transitions, a full farrier trim, and a full veterinary exam.
Do I have to start with Young Horse?
No. Young Horse fits a young horse still learning the basics. An adult horse with no handling history starts at Companion instead, since Companion is the foundation level for any age.
Is there an age requirement for any level?
United Pet Club's Equine Good Companion levels are built around readiness and handling history rather than a fixed age cutoff. Young Horse generally covers a weanling through about three years old, but Companion works for any older horse still learning the fundamentals.
Can an adult horse test at Companion without ever doing Young Horse?
Yes. The levels are not sequential requirements. What matters is whether your horse can reliably show the handling evaluated at that level, not which certification it already holds.
How do I know if my horse is ready to move up a level?
Your horse is ready for the next level once it holds the current level's handling consistently, including standing tied for a full duration and loading without hesitation. Contact us if you want a second opinion before testing.
Do all three levels use the same testing process?
Yes. Young Horse, Companion and Advanced can each be assessed in person, usually at your horse's own yard, or through an online video submission, evaluated against the same checklist for that level.
What if my horse struggles with just one or two exercises?
Each exercise is evaluated on its own, so your horse does not need a perfect performance across the board. Practice the specific exercise your horse struggles with and test again once it is consistent.
Not sure which level to start with?
Contact United Pet Club and we will help you figure out where your horse fits.