The competition season for 2024-2025 kicks off the with the EquestriMalta National Championships. Horsemanship will be judged across two disciplines - dressage and show jumping, with six competitions held throughout the season - three in dressage and three in show jumping. Horse and rider combinations will be awarded points for placings in any of the EquestriMalta National Championship competitions. 

 Points for each horse/rider combination will be visible on a leader board available and updated after each competition. 

 At the end of the season, the horse/rider combinations with the most points will be eligible for cash prizes. Riders are encouraged to compete in both dressage and show jumping.

Classes

Adult Classes

Dressage

Show Jumping

Junior Classes

Dressage

Show Jumping

Children Classes

Dressage

Show Jumping

Points

Riders will be awarded points as follows: 

1st place – 5 points 

2nd place – 4 points 

3rd place – 3 points 

4th place – 2 points

Age Categories

Athletes will compete in different classes according to their age group. Once a rider starts the season in a certain class, they remain in that class for the entire season. Age categories are as follows:

Children - 8-13 years old

Junior - 14-17 years old

Senior - 18+ years old

Prize Money

Rosettes will be given for first to fourth ranking horse and athletes on the day of competition. At the end of the league, prize money will be distributed to the horse and athlete combinations that have accumulated the highest number of points in the different disciplines.

Dates

2nd November – Show Jumping (Montekristo)

30th November – (Montekristo)

21st December – Show Jumping (Montekristo)

8th February – Dressage (Montekristo)

12th April – Dressage (Montekristo)

24th May – Show Jumping (Montekristo)

The dates set are always weather permitting. In bad weather, or where the ground is considered dangerous, the event will be postponed to a more suitable date. Should it be necessary, the season will be extended into the early summer. 

Competitions that are cancelled as a result of lack of volunteers will not be re-scheduled.

The MEF reserves the right to change the dates of any competition to accommodate incoming officials.

Photos

Photos will be taken of competitors and posted on the Malta Equestrian Federation social media pages. Riders are encouraged to re-share photos. More photos are available for purchase from the photographer at the show. Should riders wish to opt out, they should contact the MEF before the competition on maltaequestrianfederation@gmail.com.

Dressage

Competitive classes

Tests

The MEF has put together progressively difficult tests that prepare athletes for international level competition. These tests have been selected together with the international federation (FEI).

Individual tests can be found at the following link.

Entries

There is a €50 entry fee for each horse and rider combination.

Entries are only open to paid up competitive members.

Entries will only be taken via the Equus Innovation platform. Athletes can register for events here. Payment for events via Revolut will not be considered.

Entries will only be confirmed only upon full payment. Entries made after the closing date will not be considered.

Closing date for entries is the Sunday before the competition. No rider will be able to enter the competition AFTER the closing date.

Refunds will not be given after the closing date unless competitors produce a doctor’s certificate or vet certificate or the competition is cancelled by MEF.

National Rules

All Dressage competitions in Malta will be sanctioned by the MEF as long as they are held in accordance with MEF General Regulations, Veterinary Regulations and the MEF Dressage Rules.

Show jumping

Competitive Classes

50cm

60cm

70cm

80cm

90cm

100m

110cm

120cm

130cm

World Clubs Tournament Qualifiers

The World Club Tournament Qualifiers will be held at the end of every show jumping competition.

Entries

Entries are only open to paid up competitive members.

The entry fee for horse and rider combinations competitions in the first round is €25. Horses may only be entered in two rounds (with the same or different riders).

Entries will only be taken via the Equus Innovation platform. Athletes can register for events here. Payment for events via Revolut will not be considered.

Entries will only be confirmed only upon full payment. Entries made after the closing date will not be considered.

Closing date for entries is the Sunday before the competition. No rider will be able to enter the competition AFTER the closing date.

Refunds will not be given after the closing date unless competitors produce a doctor’s certificate or vet certificate or the competition is cancelled by MEF.

National Rules

Competitions will be held in accordance with FEI rules, unless National rules override them. Anyone who does not conform to any of the rules will be disqualified. 

Horse/rider combinations will be allowed to compete in whichever class they choose, going up a class or down a class as they seem fit. This is being allowed as a result of rider concerns about footing of some arenas. A rider can compete on the same horse in two classes, but these must be consecutive. (A rider can compete in 100m and 110cm but not in 100m and 120cm.)  

A horse can compete in a maximum of two competitive rounds (with the same rider or different riders).

In the event that horse/rider combinations compete in more than one class, competitors will only accumulate points from one class. They will keep the scores from their first round and discard the results from the remaining round.

In order to accumulate points, riders must stay under 16 faults. Riders with 16 faults or more will not be eligible for points.

One coach or helper per rider is allowed in the warm up arena. Coaches assisting clients at competition will not be allowed into the warmup arena if they are not dressed appropriately in boots, trousers, and a smart top.

Should riders miss their allocated time slot for whatever reason, they will be allowed to ride Hors Concours at the end of the class or, if the Ground Jury deem appropriate, at the end of the event. Riders will only be allowed to change their time slot for the following reasons:

• A change of horse allowed by the Ground Jury makes it necessary to change the start list to allow horses with more than one entry sufficient time to rest in between.

• The rider or horse have fallen and need to be checked by the medic or vet.

  It is up to the Ground Jury to allow the changes in the start list. Decisions to change the start list cannot be contested.

Smoking in the warm up arena is prohibited.

Coaches are allowed into the arena with their students in 50cm and 60cm classes. They are allowed to talk to their riders but not to touch the horse.

Time allowed rules will only apply to classes of 80cm and above.

A presentation will be held at the end of the competition at The Brewery Pub when events are held at Montekristo and at the arena in Maghtab. Riders are encouraged to stay for a drink and socialise afterwards! 

Riders who are not able to attend to pick up their rosettes should ask someone to pick them up for them. The MEF will not keep any remaining rosettes.

In the event that two riders have the same score in the accumulative points at the end of the season, the rider that has participated in most classes will be given an extra point. If there is no distinction, no extra points will be allocated.

If riders are still tied, the rider with the lowest accumulative faults will be awarded one extra point. 

If riders are still tied, an extra point will be allocated to the rider having participated in the highest class.

Disclaimer

Riders participate in competitions at their own risk. Neither the Malta Equestrian Federation, sponsors nor the operators of facilities will be held liable for accident or injury.