FEI Young Horse Classes

[the_sandiest_shoes]

Curious who has decided to compete in these before, and what your reasons were for doing these classes. I would imagine the feedback is valuable for training of the young horses, perhaps more tailored than competing in the non-young horse classes of an equivalent level?

Are there any other considerations for trying these out? I have a 2014 horse and we are training Third now, so I’m starting to wonder if it would be better to try some 6 year old classes next spring for the feedback, rather than going straight into Third. I don’t need Third scores personally. I’m also not looking to sell my horse or breed her - I intend to be her forever home. That said, she’s being such a superstar lately I do want to see how far we can go (I’m an amateur but trained YR when I was younger and like to be as competitive as I can in my re-riding days in my 30s ). I’m not going to push her past her limits but she’s being so cooperative and happy in her work these days, I’m trying to decide what to shoot for next year (without jinxing myself…) Thanks, all!

[netg]

So when I was scribing for an L candidate, Janet Foy described the young horse tests as a tool for looking for future Team horses.
Therefore, that’s the standard for talent being used in their scoring.
However, if my horse hadn’t had a foal and were at this level of training at 4 instead of 5, I would be considering if the young horse tests suited her better. They do not have the same emphasis on needing perfect steadiness with head and perfection in transitions, and they flow differently which works for some horses. My horse is a very nice horse, but I’m no international rider, so I wouldn’t be expecting the kind of score a future international horse would get even if my horse may have had that type of potential with a different home.

[alibi_18]

@the sandiest shoes

Curious who has decided to compete in these before, and what your reasons were for doing these classes. I would imagine the feedback is valuable for training of the young horses, perhaps more tailored than competing in the non-young horse classes of an equivalent level?

FEI Young horses classes are for horses that have FEI potential - it’s to showcase that potential, without the « stress » of being « perfect » like one would need to get high scores at a level.

The 6yrs old class is still quite demanding and more than 3rd level, and even if it’s not judge as a regular test, the 6yrs old needs to be very obedient and relaxed.

Are there any other considerations for trying these out?

Showcasing young stock for sale.

Can you present your horse in the best way possible?

I’m starting to wonder if it would be better to try some 6 year old classes next spring for the feedback, rather than going straight into Third.

I’ve scribed a lot for these classes at CDIs.

The feedback will be about your horse’s potential.
Ex. The walk was good today, great marching - the trot was flowing despite some moments of exuberance, the medium showed potential for more collection in the transition, the canter was the highlight today with blablabla…

Comments won’t be about your riding, the movements or even ways to ride better.

If the judges feel something is lacking, they will let you know you must follow the training scale - meaning you might want to step back a little.

Horses that are true FEI young horse prospects usually get scores in the 80s/90s.

I’m trying to decide what to shoot for next year (without jinxing myself…) Thanks, all!

2 friends of mine show their youngsters in these classes and are happy with their 60-70 scores. I think they do better in their regular tests (low 60s on good days), with a more fluid progression and more feedback about their riding.
Both aren’t trainers, just average/good amateurs.
We’ve had that discussion and can’t agree on everything.

[the_sandiest_shoes]

Thank you for the insight - very helpful! This horsey sure is special and after watching the training session today I have a feeling my trainer could very well score in the 80s next year in the 6 year old classes (this little July 2014 horse learned gorgeous canter half-passes and clean flying changes in literally the last 10 days). I was almost pissed off at how good she looked today, since it’s very clear I’m the one holding her back. However, too bad she’s my little forever-home amateur horse and given the sounds of it with the feedback, she’ll be in Third Level amateur classes with me instead haha. I want the feedback of my own riding too, though maybe I’ll let coach do a show or two early in the year for the credits on the off chance disaster strikes and I need to sell her for some reason. (If I had the money to sponsor my coach to campaign on this little darling I would but I’m not miss money bags and not generous enough to give up competing my own horse - coach gives plenty of hints that she’d be more than happy to show the horse herself if I want).

[Scribbler]

Might be worth asking if trainer wants to show your horse on her own dime.

If your trainer wants the ride it might be worth it for her. Maybe this would be your trainers only chance to ride a 6 year old FEI test and that would be a feather in her cap.

I mean lots of trainers only get to ride Grand Prix because a wealthy client buys a schoolmaster. Trainers don’t always have access to top quality horses for themselves.

I agree it’s not money well spent to have a trainer show your own horse unless it’s a sales project.

[the_sandiest_shoes]

Actually that is a good consideration - I want to show the schoolmaster I’m leasing early in the year anyway to get my silver scores and I really don’t have the money or logistical help at a show to handle competing more than one at the moment. Maybe if she offers to show on her own dime she could do the six year old classes and get some additional, current showing credits for sponsors, etc. (That way I can also see my baby be a superstar for a while before she goes back to being an amateur’s star with me).

[PonyApocalypse19]

I believe they still have the videos up of last year’s young horse finals on USEF Network if you want to see caliber of horses that make it. There’s also “practice” tests at shows that don’t count towards qualifying for young horse however they are usually more expensive than a regular test but of the same level of difficulty as the qualifying test. I’ve gone to the finals as a spectator for the past couple of years and there are some very nice horses. You get to hear the judges comments once the test is complete, so it’s interesting to hear what the judges say and reconcile it with what you saw in the test. It’s good feedback on the training at that point in time and good experience for young horses. They are looking at FEI prospect horses at that age and the ones that make it to the finals they would expect to see at the developing PSG within the next two years.

[the_sandiest_shoes]

@PonyApocalypse19

I believe they still have the videos up of last year’s young horse finals on USEF Network if you want to see caliber of horses that make it. There’s also “practice” tests at shows that don’t count towards qualifying for young horse however they are usually more expensive than a regular test but of the same level of difficulty as the qualifying test. I’ve gone to the finals as a spectator for the past couple of years and there are some very nice horses. You get to hear the judges comments once the test is complete, so it’s interesting to hear what the judges say and reconcile it with what you saw in the test. It’s good feedback on the training at that point in time and good experience for young horses. They are looking at FEI prospect horses at that age and the ones that make it to the finals they would expect to see at the developing PSG within the next two years.

Thanks - I was looking up some of these on Youtube and they are very nice horses indeed. We’re in California and I’m certainly not looking at spending the money on sponsoring my horse to go to the finals for this. If I suddenly become a much better rider in the next two years and she keeps being a shooting star in training and competition, I can save my money for more crazy ambitious stuff farther down the line when she’s 7/8.

It is our current goal (without trying to jinx our good fortune in training so far) to work towards PSG when she’s 7 or 8, considering how easily the Third Level stuff is coming for her now at 5, as she puts on more muscle. She’s certainly a nice mover but it’s really her attitude that has surprised me, compared to other young horses I’ve had in the past. She is quite smart and relaxed - new things don’t phase her. You wouldn’t know she’s five. I’ve never had a horse anything like this before and until now I always thought the FEI young horse tests were very ambitious, but I guess it’s all horse specific. Trainer doesn’t see the need to hold her back if she’s willing to keep progressing, so I’m on board to let her accelerate forward for as long as she’ll happily let us (with doing fun things to try to keep her happy as possible in between - she’s a mare after all and I don’t want to fry her brain or body, since I want her to be my long-term competition horse). (She’s by Danone I and fingers-crossed, seems to have her papa’s chill attitude and ability to really collect like it’s nothing - which is good, since she can’t jump to save her life :lol:).

[PonyApocalypse19]

@the sandiest shoes

Thanks - I was looking up some of these on Youtube and they are very nice horses indeed. We’re in California and I’m certainly not looking at spending the money on sponsoring my horse to go to the finals for this. If I suddenly become a much better rider in the next two years and she keeps being a shooting star in training and competition, I can save my money for more crazy ambitious stuff farther down the line when she’s 7/8.

It is our current goal (without trying to jinx our good fortune in training so far) to work towards PSG when she’s 7 or 8, considering how easily the Third Level stuff is coming for her now at 5, as she puts on more muscle. She’s certainly a nice mover but it’s really her attitude that has surprised me, compared to other young horses I’ve had in the past. She is quite smart and relaxed - new things don’t phase her. You wouldn’t know she’s five. I’ve never had a horse anything like this before and until now I always thought the FEI young horse tests were very ambitious, but I guess it’s all horse specific. Trainer doesn’t see the need to hold her back if she’s willing to keep progressing, so I’m on board to let her accelerate forward for as long as she’ll happily let us (with doing fun things to try to keep her happy as possible in between - she’s a mare after all and I don’t want to fry her brain or body, since I want her to be my long-term competition horse). (She’s by Danone I and fingers-crossed, seems to have her papa’s chill attitude and ability to really collect like it’s nothing - which is good, since she can’t jump to save her life :lol:).

Haha I know what you mean - I have 2 that were ex-hunters and one that thought a 1ft jump was a very small fence and should not be jumped over! I have an 8 year that if he could have been a smaller horse (he’s 18hh now) would have been a good candidate for the young horse since he is so smart and learned so fast. He had changes since day 1! He was on target to try the Developing PSG this year, but he ended up with stringhalt (and that’s a long story). It’s important to not over face the youngsters and to keep their work load appropriate so they don’t get burned out. I’ve seen a couple horses that went to shows almost every weekend, did young horse finals and went to regionals and then finals. One horse looked tired by the time it got to young horse. So you’re right to take her training as slow as it needs to be to make sure she’s a life long partner.
It’s all about having good experiences at shows regardless of scores IMO with the youngsters too. That’s been my goal for all of my horses currently. Once I’m not concerned about how a test will go behavior wise then it’s all about having fun and taking the pressure off about getting scores. I do look forward to the feed back from the judges as well just doing the regular tests. Good Luck!

[Cowgirl]

I am very interested in these classes, but I probably wouldn’t start my babies in them until the 5 year olds because they want too much of a frame for 3 and 4 year olds. Still, I think the 5 and 6 year old FEI tests and the Developing Horse FEI tests are more of the direction for me than the straight dressage route because of when regionals and finals are and some other local factors. For these, I get my show season done, aim towards Lamplight, make it or don’t make it, and back to training. by August. It all depends on whether the horse is ready or not, and whether I can get all the gait out of them in the show ring without tension and am able to tone it down at home.

[MysticOakRanch]

I went through the Young Horse Development symposium a few years ago, and thought it was explained very concisely there.

There are two paths to the FEI, and both are very valid paths. One is to go through the national levels, the other is to compete in the young horse classes. Not all horses do well in the young horse classes, this does NOT mean they won’t be FEI horses. The purpose of the young horse classes is early identification of international talent - but some horses are late bloomers, and so we have a different track (the national levels) for those horses.

I’ve scribed for young horse classes too - and the goal of these classes is to reward international quality gaits (and riding, since good riding emphasizes these gaits). I have seen some very good riders get confused and frustrated in these classes - accurate test riding is not rewarded, and submission is not as highly rewarded in these classes. If a horse spooks, bucks, picks up a wrong lead, throws in an unscheduled flying change, etc - these are very minor issues in the Young Horse classes.

Of course, anyone can ride in these classes, just realize if you want to score well, the judges are more focused on POTENTIAL then they are on TRAINING in these specific classes, especially the 4 year old class. Look at the score sheets - they are very revealing - you will not be scored on individual movements, although missing an important movement (such as a required flying change) will affect your score because it shows there may be a problem in that very important movement.

[Cowgirl]

@MysticOakRanch

I went through the Young Horse Development symposium a few years ago, and thought it was explained very concisely there.

There are two paths to the FEI, and both are very valid paths. One is to go through the national levels, the other is to compete in the young horse classes. Not all horses do well in the young horse classes, this does NOT mean they won’t be FEI horses. The purpose of the young horse classes is early identification of international talent - but some horses are late bloomers, and so we have a different track (the national levels) for those horses.

I’ve scribed for young horse classes too - and the goal of these classes is to reward international quality gaits (and riding, since good riding emphasizes these gaits). I have seen some very good riders get confused and frustrated in these classes - accurate test riding is not rewarded, and submission is not as highly rewarded in these classes. If a horse spooks, bucks, picks up a wrong lead, throws in an unscheduled flying change, etc - these are very minor issues in the Young Horse classes.

Of course, anyone can ride in these classes, just realize if you want to score well, the judges are more focused on POTENTIAL then they are on TRAINING in these specific classes, especially the 4 year old class. Look at the score sheets - they are very revealing - you will not be scored on individual movements, although missing an important movement (such as a required flying change) will affect your score because it shows there may be a problem in that very important movement.

I get it! For me, it will be whether or not I can get their natural gaits out in the show ring without tension. I really am trying to avoid tension (and am doing so much natural horsemanship and desensitizing training now). Not sure if I am up to the challenge of sitting and keeping the required gaits, however. LOL. If not, it doesn’t matter. I probably would never travel to USDF Finals anyway, due to the cost and miserable time of year and the desire to get on with the training after show season.

[Cowgirl]

Does anyone know whether you have to join USDF in or to pursue this FEI track? Do you have to join FEI?

[jonem004]

@the sandiest shoes

though maybe I’ll let coach do a show or two early in the year for the credits on the off chance disaster strikes and I need to sell her for some reason.

Good thinking! I was going to comment that it might be in your horse’s best interest to have this on her resume, but you’re already there.

[the_sandiest_shoes]

@jonem004

Good thinking! I was going to comment that it might be in your horse’s best interest to have this on her resume, but you’re already there.

Ha I’m not sure it’s in her personal best interest - if it were up to her, she’d just get neck scratches and eat apples all day lol.

I do think it’s in the best interests for me in the worst case scenario of someday having to sell her - in my opinion it’s a straightforward way of getting objective evidence she is potentially an international quality horse. And my trainer is very excited by the plan of doing a couple 6 year old tests with her - I think she’s even more invested in her training than before, since it’ll be her name at the show too. But once it’s done she’ll go back to being my show horse, even though it’ll inevitably slow her progress. She can have her moment in the bigger spotlight so I have that in my pocket as her owner and then get a bunch of neck scratches/apples/amateur ring showtimes.

[Dutchmare433]

@Cowgirl

Does anyone know whether you have to join USDF in or to pursue this FEI track? Do you have to join FEI?

You do not need to join FEI and the horse does not need an FEI passport.

Don’t know if you need USDF memberships, as I had mine & my horse has a lifetime reg when I did the 4 year olds—financially it would definitely cost less to do your memberships vs paying the fees if you want to show enough to qualify for Lamplight.

[Anne]

There is no “three year old test”, only materiale classes.

[the_sandiest_shoes]

I am bumping my own thread to say I’m now planning on trying the FEI 6 year old test in 2022 with my Lusitano, just to say we did. The novelty of getting feedback on my horse appeals to me.

We already showed Third last year (he’s 5 now) starting in July - he’s precocious. We didn’t get a clean test yet but still score low to mid sixties and he’s way more with me now than the last time we showed. He’s Iberian and not like the typical young horse candidates- I asked my clinician how he thought it might go and he said “they won’t say anything rude in public and it can go one of two ways”. So why not. Last year only one IALHA horse competed FEI 6 year old in the US, so at the very least we have a great shot at being #1 placing IALHA at that test this year, a fun little feather in his cap . I will update once we try .

(Without jinxing myself because right after I posted this last thread my poor mare got a bad shoe and lost a year of training.)

[HorseAlter]

your comment about “late bloomer” is a key one. I’ve heard some GP trainers comment that the young horse classes require quite a lot of maturity from the horse in terms of difficulty compared with the regular classes. That is, they are better suited to precocious horses.

@MysticOakRanch

I went through the Young Horse Development symposium a few years ago, and thought it was explained very concisely there.

There are two paths to the FEI, and both are very valid paths. One is to go through the national levels, the other is to compete in the young horse classes. Not all horses do well in the young horse classes, this does NOT mean they won’t be FEI horses. The purpose of the young horse classes is early identification of international talent - but some horses are late bloomers, and so we have a different track (the national levels) for those horses.

I’ve scribed for young horse classes too - and the goal of these classes is to reward international quality gaits (and riding, since good riding emphasizes these gaits). I have seen some very good riders get confused and frustrated in these classes - accurate test riding is not rewarded, and submission is not as highly rewarded in these classes. If a horse spooks, bucks, picks up a wrong lead, throws in an unscheduled flying change, etc - these are very minor issues in the Young Horse classes.

Of course, anyone can ride in these classes, just realize if you want to score well, the judges are more focused on POTENTIAL then they are on TRAINING in these specific classes, especially the 4 year old class. Look at the score sheets - they are very revealing - you will not be scored on individual movements, although missing an important movement (such as a required flying change) will affect your score because it shows there may be a problem in that very important movement.

[2tempe]

These classes are run at recognized shows so it is expected that you as owner, trainer/rider and horse will have both USEF/USDF memberships. It is possible to do as non-member, but the non-member extra fees add up pretty quickly.