Overview of Classes
There’s a huge range of classes available from FEIF, here’s a selection of the classes from previous events. Full descriptions of class requirements are given here.
An overview of each class is given below. The classes are grouped according to perceived difficulty, with Sport A being the most difficult and Sport D the least.
Sport A classes are ridden individually with transitions required at the centre of the short side of the oval track. The other classes are ridden in groups with transitions being called by the speaker,
Sport A
These tests are not directed by the speaker and contain technical elements, such as gait changes at a specific points on the track. Riders must be comfortable being alone and in a group on the track as the qualifiers are individual, but the final is run as a group.
T1
This is an individual tölt class. Sections below are shown.
Begin at the middle of the short side and ride one round in slow tölt on either rein. Return to walk at the middle of the short side and change rein
From the middle of the short side ride one round in slow tölt, lengthen stride distinctly on the long sides.
From the middle of the short side ride one round in fast tölt.
T2
The rider has three rounds at their disposal to show the following gaits in the following order: Sections:
- Any speed tölt
- Slow, steady and calm speed tölt. Return to walk and change rein
- Slow to medium speed tölt, holding both reins in one hand clearly showing no rein contact with the horse’s mouth
Each section may be shown only once, for one round. Marks for section 3 are doubled.
V1
The rider has four and a half rounds at their disposal to show the following gaits in any order:
- Slow tölt
- Slow to medium speed trot
- Medium walk
- Slow to medium speed canter
- Fast tölt
Each gait may be shown only once; walk for a half round and the other gaits for one round.
F1
The rider has four and a half rounds at their disposal to show the following gaits in any order:
- Slow to medium speed tölt
- Slow to medium speed trot
- Medium walk
- Slow to medium speed canter
- Racing pace
Each gait may be shown only once, walk for a half round and the other gaits for one round. Racing pace is shown on the long sides only and marks for tölt and pace are doubled.
Sport B
These tests are ridden in groups of between 2 and 5 riders as decided by the organisers and are directed by the speaker.
T3
This is an group tölt class. The test are directed by the speaker. Riders are grouped according to their preferred starting rein. The following elements are shown.
Slow tölt on preferred rein.
Return to walk and change rein
Slow tölt, lengthen stride distinctly on the long sides.
Fast tölt.
T4
This is an group tölt class. The test are directed by the speaker. Riders are grouped according to their preferred starting rein. The following elements are shown.
- Any speed tölt
- Slow, steady and calm speed tölt. Return to walk and change rein
- Slow to medium speed tölt, holding both reins in one hand clearly showing no rein contact with the horse’s mouth
Marks for section 3 are doubled.
V2
This is an group gait class. The test are directed by the speaker. Riders are grouped according to their preferred starting rein. The following elements are shown.
- Slow tölt
- Slow to medium speed trot
- Medium walk
- Slow to medium speed canter
- Fast tölt
F2
This is an group gait class. The test are directed by the speaker. Riders are grouped according to their preferred starting rein. The following elements are shown.
- Slow to medium speed tölt
- Slow to medium speed trot
- Medium walk
- Slow to medium speed canter
- Racing pace
Racing pace is shown on the long sides only and marks for tölt and pace are doubled.
Sport C
These tests are ridden in small groups of between 2 and 5 riders as decided by the organisers. These tests are directed by the speaker and the riders have to show various gaits and speeds.
T5
This is a group tölt test, you can choose your starting rein on the entry form.
- Slow tölt Return to walk and change rein
- Lengthen stride on the long sides, slow tölt on the short sides.
- Medium to fast tölt
T6
This is a group tölt test.
- Any speed tölt Return to walk and change rein
- Slow to medium speed tölt, on the long sides holding both reins in one hand clearly showing no rein contact with the horse’s mouth
V3
This is a group four gait test.
- Slow speed tölt
- Slow to medium speed trot
- Medium walk
- Slow to medium speed canter
- Medium to fast tölt
F3
This is a group five gait test.
- Slow to medium speed tölt
- Slow to medium speed trot
- Medium walk
- Slow to medium speed canter
- Pace
Pace is shown twice on one long side. The riders choose the long side by majority vote. In the event of a draw the speaker will decide. A combination needs to show one half of a long side to get a mark. The mark for pace is doubled and the total number of points is divided by 6.
Sport D
These tests are ridden in small groups of between 2 and 5 riders as decided by the organisers. These tests are directed by the speaker and are the simplest tests that the riders can take part in.
T7
This is a group tölt test, you can choose your starting rein on the entry form.
- Slow tölt
- Return to walk and change rein
- Any speed tölt
You can choose to show any tempo once you have changed the rein – but be aware that others around you may be doing a different tempo – so focus on your own performance!
T8
This is a group tölt test, you can choose your starting rein on the entry form.
- Any speed tölt
- Return to walk and change rein
- Any speed tölt
You can choose to show any tempo – but be aware that others around you may be doing a different tempo – so focus on your own performance!
V5
This is a group four gait test.
- Any speed tölt
- Slow to medium speed trot
- Medium walk
- Slow to medium speed canter
V6
This is a four gait group test, you can choose your starting rein on the entry form.
- Any speed tölt
- Slow to medium speed trot
- Medium walk
- Slow to medium speed canter, the start into canter and the stop after canter into walk is shown separately by each rider as instructed by the speaker