Equestrian Games
For riders not yet ready to participate in the EquestriMalta National Championships, the Equestrian Games will introduce riders to the world of competitive riding.
The Equestrian Games
The MEF in collaboration with EquestriMalta will be hosting Equestrian Games which will run alongside the National calendar. Participants will compete in Riding Class, Clear Round Jumping, Handy Hunters and Gymkhanas earning points for every competition attended. Prizes will be distributed at the end of the season for overall winners in a number of categories. The MEF Equestrian Games is open to both juniors and adults who are not yet ready to participate in the EquestriMalta National Championships.
Classes will be divided into three according to rider ability. Class I will be performed in walk and trot with the horse on the lead. Class II will be performed off of the lead in walk and trot only and Class III will be performed in walk trot and canter and will also be off the lead.
Each of the three classes will be further sub-divided according to age category. Junior riders up to the age of eight (8) will compete in JI, riders between nine (9) and 13 will compete in JII and riders 14 and over will ride in the Adult class. Riders will be assigned to a class on entering their first competition. They will remain in that class for the duration of the season, even if they have a birthday that should put them in the next class. They will move class at the beginning of the following season.
Any riders who do not qualify for the Equestrian Games as they already participate in the National Championships will be allowed to enter the Open Class. The Open Class will not be sub-divided into age groups.
Riding Classes
Riding Classes are intended to prepare competitive riders for dressage at the National Championships. The tests are simplified versions of dressage tests and can be accessed here. Riders are assessed on position, balance and control of the horse. Coaches can call out tests from the side of the arena.
Class I
Riders will be expected to walk and trot with the assistance of a leader. The leader should not stand in front of the shoulder of the horse. A good rider position is exhibited by a vertical line passing from the rider’s head (with riders looking up and between the horses’ ears), shoulder held in proper position with elbows slightly bent, hip and heel position. Balance is assessed by the rider’s ability to move in different planes of motion both statically and while the horse is in motion. In trot this will be assessed through rising trot, turning left, turning right and transitioning from halt to walk to trot and back.
Riders should be able to halt, walk, trot, turn to both sides.
Class II
The second class is designed for riders who are judged competent enough to ride off the lead and carry out basic movements on their own. Riders must be knowledgeable on how to work in an arena with markers on a 20X40 arena. Riders will only be expected to ride in walk and trot.
Riders will be tasked with carrying out the basic movements of a dressage test and will be assessed based on their riding ability. They will be assessed on position, balance and control and will be expected to ride in walk and trot, work through both upwards and downwards transitions as well as changes of direction in walk and trot.
Class III
This is designed for riders who are judged competent enough to ride off the lead and carry out basic movements on their own. Riders must be knowledgeable on how to work in a 20X40 arena. They will be assessed on position, balance and control and will be expected to ride in walk, trot and canter, work through both upwards and downwards transitions as well as changes of direction in walk and trot.
Open
This is designed for riders who are already competing in the National Championships. The classes are judged by professionals, though riders are not eligible for points in the Equestrian Games. The test is the same as the one used in Class III and is preparation for dressage. Riders must be knowledgeable on how to work in a 20X40 arena. They will be assessed on position, balance and control and will be expected to ride in walk, trot and canter, work through both upwards and downwards transitions as well as changes of direction in walk and trot.
Clear Round Jumping
Clear Round Jumping is intended to prepare competitive riders for show jumping at the National Championships. The courses are less technical and encourage kids to ride good lines to approach the fences. All riders who clear the course, without knocking down a fence or running out will be awarded a clear round. Each rider completing the clear will be awarded five points of the Equestrian Games Series.
The course will be made up of 8-10 fences with no combination jumps. There will be no time allowed and no jump offs. Coaches are allowed into the arena to assist riders in every class, though cannot touch the horse for Class II, III or Open Class.
Height of fences
Class I – Poles on the ground
This will be performed on the lead in walk and trot only. Riders will be penalised if their horses break into canter.
Class II – Poles on the ground
This will be performed off the lead in walk and trot only. Riders will be penalised with an added 4 faults if their horses break into canter.
Class III – 30cm
This will be preformed off the lead in walk, trot and canter.
Open Class – 50cm
This is for riders who are not eligible to compete in the Equestrian Games (if they are competing in the National Championships). This class is NOT divided into age categories.
Handy Hunters
The aim of the Handy Hunter supports the rider’s agility and balance as well as control of the horse. This fun event is a good start to jumping but also teaches the rider how to be independent when out hacking. The course consists of 8-10 obstacles which can be made more difficult as the classes go up.
Class I – Riders will perform movements in walk and trot only. They will be penalised for breaking into canter. They will be allowed to have a leader, though the leader must stay by the shoulder of the horse and should not be dragging the horse. The rider should attempt all obstacles without assistance. Should the rider need assistance from the leader, they will be marked down on their test.
Class II – Riders will perform movements in walk and trot only. They will be penalised for breaking into canter. They will be perform all movements off the lead, though coaches may enter the arena to assist riders verbally. Riders will be penalised in the coach touches their horse. The rider should attempt all obstacles without assistance. Should the rider need assistance from the leader, they will be marked down on their test.
Class III – Riders will perform movements in walk, trot or canter. More points will be awarded for the more difficult gaits. They will be perform all movements off the lead, though coaches may enter the arena to assist riders verbally. Riders will be penalised in the coach touches their horse. The rider should attempt all obstacles without assistance. Should the rider need assistance from the leader, they will be marked down on their test.
Gymkhana Games
These are fun events aimed at building confidence, increasing agility, control, balance and all round riding ability. The objective is to encourage a higher standard of riding throughout the Equestrian Games and to stimulate among the future generation a greater interest in the riding as a sport and as recreation. The games are made up of a number of races. These can be individual races or pair races at the discretion of the organiser.
Races may include games like bending races, apple bobbing, hula hoop races, sack races, potato and spoon race, relay races or any other races the organising committee deem fit.
Races will take place in heats of four riders and riders will race against riders in their Class and Age Group.
Classes will run as with all the other Equestrian Games competitions, Class I – on the lead in walk and trot, Class II – off the lead in walk and trot. Horses that break into canter in this class will be disqualified. Class III – off the lead in walk trot and canter.
Dates
Dates for the Equestrian Games are listed below:
16th December – Christmas Gymkhana (Montekristo)
10th February – Carnival Handy Hunter (Maghtab)
6th April – Riding Class (Montekristo)
4th May – Clear Round 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.
The MEF reserves the right to change the dates of any competition.
Points
Riders will be allocated point when placing in any competition at the Equestrian Games. Points will be given to individual riders, and not horse and rider combinations as in the National Championships, to allow riders to swap and change ponies as they wish throughout the season. Points will be allocated as follows:
First place - 5 points
Second place - 4 points
Third place - 3 points
Fourth place - 2 points
Participation - 1 point
For clear round jumping, all riders who ride a clear round will be awarded 5 points. Riders who do not ride clear will be given 1 participation point.
In the event of a tie at the end of the season, points will be adjusted for the first three places.
When tied, the riders who have attended most competitions will be given an extra point. If points are still tied, the rider with the highest average score for riding class will be awarded an extra point..
Prizes
At the end of the series of competitions riders with the most points will be awarded prizes in the following categories:
Overall JI
Overall JII
Overall 14+
Medals will be handed out to all participants at the end of the season.
Entries
There is a €20 entry fee for each horse and rider combination.
Entries are only open to paid up competitive members.
Riders must fill in the entry form, which will be made available before each competition. Entries must be submitted by the Sunday before the competition. Refunds will only be made on presentation of a doctor’s certificate in the case of rider illness, or a veterinarian certificate if the horse is deemed unfit to compete by a vet.
Entries will only be confirmed only upon payment. Payment must be made digitally via Revolut to 79421756 or by bank transfer to:
Bank: APS
Account Name: Malta Equestrian Federation
Account Number: 45469610013
IBAN: MT17APSB77013000000045469610013
Swift Code/BIC: APSBMTMT
Please add your name and class to the notes on the payment.
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.
Rules
Please consider all the rules and regulations before entering into the competitions.
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.
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.