EquestriMalta National Championships
The competition season for 2023-2024 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 with the largest prizes being offered to competitors showing promise in both disciplines. Prizes for those riders who only participate in dressage or show jumping will also be awarded.
The Track to Arena was set up to encourage horse owners who have given an ex-racehorse a second chance in life. While not many of them can compete with the extravagant strides of a warmblood, rehoming a horse can be very rewarding. Riders will ride the same tests/courses as everyone else, but they will also be eligible for prizes in a class of their own. Riders participating on trotters will be eligible for this class regardless of years of training. Flat racers will only be eligible to join this class for one year and on proof of racing.
Classes
Adult Classes
Overall
Dressage
Show Jumping
Track to Arena (Overall)
Junior Classes
Overall
Dressage
Show Jumping
Track to Arena (Overall)
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 Groups
Riders may ride in junior classes up to the end of the year of their 18th birthday.
Young riders may opt to ride in adult classes from the beginning of the year of their 14th birthday if they so choose. They may also opt to remain in the junior classes.
Any riders below the age of 14 must ride in junior classes.
Prizes
Adult Classes
Overall
1st – €500
2nd – €250
3rd – €100
Dressage
1st – €100
2nd – €75
3rd – €50
Show Jumping
1st – €100
2nd – €75
3rd – €50
Track to Arena (Overall)
1st – €100
2nd – €75
3rd – €50
Junior Classes
Overall
1st – €100
2nd – €50
3rd – €30
Dressage
1st – €40
2nd – €20
3rd – €10
Show Jumping
1st – €40
2nd – €20
3rd – €10
Track to Arena (Overall)
1st – €40
2nd – €20
3rd – €10
Dates
18th November – Dressage (Montekristo)
23rd December – Show Jumping (Montekristo) - postponed rain
30th December – Show Jumping (Montekristo)
20th January – Dressage (Montekristo)
17th February – Show Jumping (Montekristo)
18th May – Show Jumping (Montekristo)
1st June – Dressage (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 judges.
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
Introductory
Prelim
Novice
Elementary
Medium
Advanced/Medium
Advanced
Prix St-Georges
Intermediate I
Intermediate II
Grand Prix
Grand Prix U25
Tests
The MEF use a mixture of British Dressage and FEI tests. Competitors ride under FEI rules, except where national rules override international rules. Click on the date to find tests for all classes. This year we will be introducing FEI tests, Prelim A (equivalent of UK Novice) and the FEI Children’s Test (equivalent of UK Elementary). These tests are used in the World Dressage Challenge. The MEF is preparing riders for the competition which we will apply for as soon as we see that this is feasible.
Entries
There is a €50 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.
National Rules
Competitions will be held in accordance with FEI Rules unless national rules listed here contradict the FEI rules. . Anyone who does not conform to any of the rules will be disqualified.
Horse/rider combinations will only be eligible for accumulative points if their scores are above 60% in adult classes and 55% in Junior or Track to Arena classes.
Horse and rider combinations must qualify to advance to the next class. Riders must obtain at least two consecutive scores above 60% to qualify for the next class. Riders who go up a class but fail to gain a 60% score may drop down a class if they wish. Once the rider has achieved a 60% score they will not be allowed to drop down a class.
Three judges will be present at National Championships competitions. The Judge at C will be brought over from overseas whilst the other two judges will be local trainee judges. The MEF is working towards training and certifying National Judges. The scores from all three judges together with average scores will be published, but only the scores of the Judge at C will be considered for ranking and points, until the trainee judges are certified as national judges.
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 their first class. Other scores will be discarded.
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.
Riders are allowed to carry a whip that is 90cm in length.
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 test/rosettes should ask someone to pick them up for them. The MEF will not keep any remaining tests or rosettes.
In an individual event, if the winning two riders have the same score, they will both be awarded points for first place, but no second place points will be awarded. The rider with the next highest score will be given third place points.
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 highest average score across all dressage tests 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.
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).
Riders must fill out an entry form for every horse and rider combination and every class. 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. The entry form is available here.
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.
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.
Track to Arena
The Track to Arena class is designed for horses coming off the racetrack. We appreciate how hard our equine partners work to learn a new job and how difficult it is for them to achieve the same results as the warmblood breeds who have been practising equestrian sport from the very beginning.
Trotters (as a result of the movement for which they are bred) are eligible to compete in this class for the duration of their lifetime. Thoroughbreds are eligible to compete in this class for one year as they are trainable and can compete with other breeds once they have settled. These are only allowed to compete in the class on presentation of proof of racing.
Riders will compete in the same classes as everyone else, with points allocated as in other classes.
Overall prize
The prize money for the Overall EquestriMalta National Champion will be calculated on both dressage and show jumping competitions.
In the event that riders have the same cumulative score at the end of the season, an extra point will be awarded to the combination participating in the most competitions, even if they did not gain points or were eliminated in that competition. If there is no distinction, no extra points will be allocated.
If there are still horse and rider combinations that are still tied, one extra point will be awarded to riders with highest average dressage score.
If there are still horse and rider combinations that are still tied, the combination that has participated most evenly over both disciplines will earn and extra a point. If there is no distinction, no extra points will be allocated.
If there are still horse and rider combinations that are tied, an extra point will be given to the rider competing in the higher classes.
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.