The prime judging criterion should be the harmony between horse and rider. The rider must handle the horse with fairness, delicacy and respect; be its true leader rather than its dominator. At all times the rider must put the horse’s welfare paramount and guard its health and safety. The horse should be able to fulfil its tasks with pleasure; be calm and supple, but also confident, attentive and keen.
The sport judges guidelines 2025 include the following changes:
- In all oval track tests (except V4), and in PP1, PP2, PP3, FS1, & FS2 a new firewall has been introduced
to the “riding skills/connection” key element between 4.5 and 5.0. The text in the boxes between 2.5-4.5
and 5.0-6.0 has been amended. - The firewall in the “outline/movements” key element between 5.0 & 5.5 has been moved back to between
4.5 and 5.0 - Trot and Canter: The wording has been amended to remove reference to suspension in box 1 (0-3.0) and
to change the wording visible suspension to little suspension in box 2 (3.5-5.0) - F3
In accordance with S2.8.17.2 and to add clarity it is made clear in Guidelines p.13 (F3) that if only ½
long side of pace is shown the rider will still get a mark (1-3). Riders must show the “required distance”
to get a higher mark than 3.0 - PP1, PP2, PP3
The width of the funnel at the 25m line has been set to 2.5-3.5m (see above 4 S17.8) - VET FORMS 1 & 2
● An extra category ‘reopened old’ was added (counting 1 point)
● The rider is allowed to view and photograph the form.
Photo: Neddens Tierfoto
