Riding Class

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 hosts the 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 various age categories. The Equestrian Games is open to both juniors and adults who are not yet ready to participate in the EquestriMalta National Championships.

Riding Classes

There will be three stages of riding class with participants moving up the classes to transition into introductory dressage at the National Championships. Riding Classes will be divided into Class I (Leading Rein), Class II (Walk and Trot off the lead) and Class III (Walk, Trot and Canter)

Class I - Leading Rein

This class is designed for absolute beginners and for those who cannot yet consistently control a horse off the lead. Riders will be assessed more on their own position, balance and understanding of the basic aids rather than the performance of the horse.

Riders will be judged on the following criteria:

·      Position – good static posture 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.

·      Static Balance – The ability of the rider to maintain a stable posture while the horse is in motion. Riders should have equal weight in both stirrups and maintain a stable centre of gravity in both planes of motion (not lean forward or backward or left/right). Riders will be assessed at the halt, in walk and in trot.

·      Dynamic Balance – This assesses 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.

Class II - Walk and Trot

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.

Riding 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.

Riding Class Tests

Riding Class tests for the year 2023 are available here.

Eligibility

Athletes are eligible for the Riding Class event if they have not competed in any Dressage event, regardless of horse combination. Classes will be divided into juniors and adults.

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.

Rules

Riders must be dressed in show/club gear and have adequate footwear and a helmet. The use of back protectors is mandatory for riders under 14.

In Riding Class, Jumping and Gymkhana/Handy Hunter athletes will be awarded points individually and not based on horse combinations.

Whips up to 75cm will be allowed at all competitions. Abuse of the horse will not be tolerated. Misuse of whips as per FEI rules will result in elimination. “The whip can never be used as an anger management tool. A rider cannot use the whip more than three times in a row. The whip must never touch the horse’s head. No signs of the use of the whip may be found on the horses' body after leaving the arena.”

Organisers can stop participants at any time if they are a safety risk.

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.