Can someone’s help me understand different eq classes ? I’m going to thermal soon and I’ve been looking at the jumping seat medals!
You can read all of these specs in the prize list and on the various medal websites. I’m assuming you’re a junior, so with the utmost kindness, I’ll say that these types of research skills will serve you very well throughout your life.
7 Likes
For the Hamel:
Courses for all Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3” Medal Classes, Area Championships and Finals
• To be shown over a course of not less than eight obstacles.
• Course must include:
o One combination (including an oxer)
o At least two changes of direction after the first obstacle
o At least three of the following
Bending Line
Narrow Jump (5’6”-8’)
Roll back turn
Fence at the end of the ring
Long approach to a single jump
• 1/3 of the obstacles must be oxers
• Obstacle height to be set at 3’3”
• Maximum width of oxers 3’6”
• Maximum width of triple bars and hogs backs 4’
• Liverpools, water jumps or water used as decoration are prohibited
• Banks, ditches, grobs and other natural obstacles are prohibited
To be judged on seat, hands, guidance, and control of the horse. After completion of the jumping phase a minimum
of twelve (12) riders, if available, are required to show at a walk, trot, and canter. The flat performance of those
riders selected to show in the flat phase shall count 50%. Changing of bit/bridle between phases is permissible.
Only riders who have completed the course and competed in the flat phase may receive ribbons or points. Use of
the open numerical system of judging not to be used. USEF Tests 1-23.
For the jump seat:
A. The USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal shall be judged on the rider’s equitation style, technical merit,
judgment and execution of an efficient, time saving pace and track.
B. One (1) point will be subtracted from the rider’s score for each commenced second over the time allowed
and four (4) points will be deducted for each knockdown on course.
C. Judges are asked to walk the course when possible and where there are striding options, the judges are
asked not to penalize an option that might be used to achieve the best result appropriate to the track taken
and the individual horse/rider combination.
D. JP134 (The competition round) and JP135 (Timing) will apply.
E. A minimum of three (3) and maximum of twelve (12) riders will return for a flat phase. Riders are to show at
a working walk, collected trot sitting, working trot rising, working trot demonstrating a lengthening of
stride, working canter, collected canter, working canter demonstrating a lengthening of stride and counter
canter. Riders may be asked to perform advanced flatwork including but not limited to, turn on the
haunches, shoulder-in and leg yielding.
F. Two refusals will incur elimination.
The USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal is a two-phase class with an over fences and a flat portion. The Finals include an additional bracket-format phase that requires riders to compete on unfamiliar horses in a format similar to that of the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA).
There are two different regions that will host NCEA Medal Finals: East Coast and West Coast. Both of these Finals are conducted as a three-phase competition.
- Fences Phase: To be shown over a minimum of eight fences 3’ 3” in height, spread not to exceed fence height. The course may be either a Jumper or Hunter type course and must include at least two changes of direction and a combination. Water obstacles and liverpools are not permitted. An open numerical scoring system must be used in the first phase, with each rider’s score announced at the completion of their round.
- Flat Phase: The top 20% or top ten scoring riders, whichever is greater, will return for the flat phase. Judges will test riders on their skills on the flat by asking for a demonstration of additional basic dressage movements such as the shoulder in, haunches in, or leg yield.
- Bracket Phase: The Flat and Fences phase will both count equally in the determination of the top 4 riders to return for the Bracket phase to compete on neutral horses. The fourth and first place rider will compete over a course of at least 8 fences on the same horse. The second and third place rider will compete over a course of at least 8 fences on the same horse. The winners of each head to head will compete for the championship and reserve.
I mean, really? Not to be all “get off my lawn,” but this took me three minutes to find and answers all of your questions.
5 Likes
Hmm
7 Likes
But the rules and class specs squarely answer your questions. Many of us have shown in these medals at some point or another (I show in the adult jump seat now, actually), so what is it that you specifically want to know that is not outlined in the above?
11 Likes
Ask your trainer?
15 Likes
It is.
1 Like
Once upon a time one of the California show entities did a medal class “cheat sheet” with specs, cross entry info, membership requirements, finals info, etc. and eventually hyperlinks. There are more medals now
Kind of like this (from ten years ago!) but in a table format:
I guess it no longer exists.
If the OP is feeling ambitious, s/he could devise one and put it online wherever people put such stuff these days. Then it will be forever seared in your brain.
In the OP’s boots, I’d look at the specs and pick some based on membership costs, show schedule, and likelihood of being able to attend the finals, if that’s a goal.
4 Likes
Maybe ask the assistant trainer at your barn? Her resume on your barn’s website says that she did the Big Eq.
6 Likes
This! Ask your trainers for best input.
Also, assuming you’re a minor @C.E_andCipriani, you should probably delete the post where you said which barn you ride at. Best to keep as much privacy as possible… I can say that with the info you’ve given just here on COTH, I’d probably be able to identify who you are. That’s not great for an adult, but definitely inadvisable for a minor.
10 Likes
Formulating questions is challenging, that might explain some of the answers here. Trainer should be best resources, but you could search individual eq classes on Youtube to see if you could find some rounds. I do this to check out rings at venues I’ve never ridden at.
3 Likes
I am curious @C.E_andCipriani … if you’re going to Thermal soon (as in this season in 2025 and you’re not there already)… you’d have had this convo with your trainer and have been preparing over the last year or so for these classes?
Especially the horse switching and the various tests both over fences and flat.
As a junior my show barn literally had quarterly goals with weekly check ins and “grades” where we discussed what classes at what shows were appropriate for our level of training at the time. Even as an adult I discuss on a monthly basis what classes I could POSSIBLY do & intentionally have my training program prepare me EXACTLY for said “tests” in the adult eq and hunter derby classes.
… and I haven’t been in the show ring in YEARS.
What classes did you compete in last year/ year before?
1 Like
Sometimes tone is hard to pick up in the written word and some board members are not big fans of inserting emoticons in their messages. Tha_Ridge gave you the information you asked for. If you had more questions you could have asked easily. 
4 Likes
Are there certain things that you are wondering about EQ classes?
Maybe if you are more specific, it will help people understand what information you are seeking. It’s OK if you are wondering about the atmosphere and/or some of the non riding aspects of the show, just say so.
Most people here are mature adults and are willing to help, but you need to think about what it is that you really want to know about EQ classes (since you have already seen the rules) and to communicate that in writing.
I never did the “Big EQ” but there are plenty of people here who have, and who have extensive rated show experience in many different capacities. I think many people will do their best to answer your questions if you make your questions more specific and less general.
1 Like
