Medal Classes -- help me please!

[normandy_shores]

I normally event, but will be attending two H/J shows in the coming weeks with my horse. We are entering both hunter and jumper classes, and are especially excited for the hunter derbies. However, I am completely clueless as to the details of equitation/medal classes. There are mini and micro medal classes that are offered at our height, and wondering what will be expected of us?

Thanks for any help – video of typical classes would be helpful too!

I should add, this is a 2’6 height class, not big!

[M_O_Connor]

[QUOTE=normandy_shores;8319456]
I normally event, but will be attending two H/J shows in the coming weeks with my horse. We are entering both hunter and jumper classes, and are especially excited for the hunter derbies. However, I am completely clueless as to the details of equitation/medal classes. There are mini and micro medal classes that are offered at our height, and wondering what will be expected of us?

Thanks for any help – video of typical classes would be helpful too!

I should add, this is a 2’6 height class, not big![/QUOTE]

In contrast to the Jumpers (faults and time) or the Hunters (where the horse’s style, manners, technique, presentation, and way of going are judged), Equitation is the division in which the rider is being assessed. All equitation classes, including medals, are judged on the rider’s position and technique, not the horse’s (although some horses are better at showing off their riders abilities than others).

There are numerous local and national “Medal” classes (too many to list) that generally serve as qualifiers for a final at some point. Some require that you be a member of an organization to compete in them, others require membership only to be eligible to receive points.

The criteria for each specific Medal class should be available in the show’s prize list or from the secretary, or from the local association that sanctions the class. Your trainer should be a good source of advice, and your show office will tell you more.

[normandy_shores]

[QUOTE=M. O’Connor;8319474]
In contrast to the Jumpers (faults and time) or the Hunters (where the horse’s style, manners, technique, presentation, and way of going are judged), Equitation is the division in which the rider is being assessed. All equitation classes, including medals, are judged on the rider’s position and technique, not the horse’s (although some horses are better at showing off their riders abilities than others).

There are numerous local and national “Medal” classes (too many to list) that generally serve as qualifiers for a final at some point. Some require that you be a member of an organization to compete in them, others require membership only to be eligible to receive points.

The criteria for each specific Medal class should be available in the show’s prize list or from the secretary, or from the local association that sanctions the class. Your trainer should be a good source of advice, and your show office will tell you more.[/QUOTE]

Thanks… this shows prizelist/entry is only 2 pages long, not a big fancy show. It’s put on by club that does one high end show and then a series of more accessible/affordable shows the rest of the year (no cumulative points or anything, each show is separate). Somewhere above schooling show but below rated, maybe equivalent to a C show.

Unfortunately, I live in the boondocks an hour and a half from civilization, and my prior trainer is an event coach. I’m pretty much the only “English” rider out this way, LOL (they don’t differentiate the disciplines, it’s just English). I suppose I’ll just email the organizer and ask what we might expect to see in a medal class at that level. My question was more along the lines of the specifics in the class, like “counter canter, no stirrups, lead changes” etc. I didn’t phrase my question very well.

Thanks!

[findeight]

At the vast majority of local Medals at 2’6" and under, you will jump a course then come back for a flat phase and the scores are combined. Sometimes the top 4 might be called back to test, sometimes not. But there are no consistent rules so you never know.

In the regular Eq classes you do 2 seperate classes, over fences and flat, with prizes in each. Probably be asked to sit trot and halt in the flat. Anything else depends on the level of riders, generally dropping irons is the only other thing you might see in an Eq flat but it’s kind if unusual in the regular Eq flat at this level.

This is a Novice to Intermediate level, bending line or generous roll back will be about as technical as it gets, distances usually related, especially if they only gave one ring and use the fences set for Hunters for everything.

With the height for everybody 2’6", you can expect course and flatwork requests appropriate for horses and riders at that level. Basically Novice to Intermediate suitable for all ages likely to be in there. The most complicated tests I have seen at a 2’6" local Medal that tested the top riders were canter in, halt and trot out. They usually shorten the course if you test and you’ll trot #3, canter #4, roll back to #7 and 8, halt, sit trot to gate, exit at the walk.

Usually pretty simple if it’s specifically for 2’6" riders. If they combine all ages and heights for judging, it can be harder since you have 3’ and up riders in there jumping at their height and it’s not really novice level. But don’t worry about that for this show.

[roamingnome]

They vary based on association/location, but what I typically see is that at the 2’6 it’s either:

1. a typical equitation course- maybe one or two related distances, but mostly single jumps with a rollback thrown in somewhere

2)a typical equitation course followed by a flat or short test. The test could include trotting a jump, flat might include dropping your stirrups. At the 2’6 level they’re not going to ask for a counter canter or anything tricky o/f.

Good luck!

[roamingnome]

They vary based on association/location, but what I typically see is that at the 2’6 it’s either:

1. a typical equitation course- maybe one or two related distances, but mostly single jumps with a rollback thrown in somewhere

2)a typical equitation course followed by a flat or short test. The test could include trotting a jump, flat might include dropping your stirrups. At the 2’6 level they’re not going to ask for a counter canter or anything tricky o/f.

Good luck!

[hb]

I’ve also seen where the tests are built into the course for the 2’6" medals. This year we did two of these classes. The first one had a halt on course, then after the last fence come down to trot and do sitting trot to the gate, then walk out of the arena. The other one had a trot fence and a halt on course.

For the 3’ medal the top four came back to test, but for the 2’6" it was built into the course. I think that was to run everyone through quicker. The 2’6" medal just ran as part of the rotations for the 2’6" divisions that day too, while the 3’ medal ran as a separate class after the regular 3’ rotations were done.

[Ibex]

Is this at Topline??? You guys are going to rock it!

[Soaponarope]

[QUOTE=normandy_shores;8319456]
I normally event, but will be attending two H/J shows in the coming weeks with my horse. We are entering both hunter and jumper classes, and are especially excited for the hunter derbies. However, I am completely clueless as to the details of equitation/medal classes. There are mini and micro medal classes that are offered at our height, and wondering what will be expected of us?

Thanks for any help – video of typical classes would be helpful too!

I should add, this is a 2’6 height class, not big![/QUOTE]

Technically you could be asked to do any of the things on the USEF equitation test list. But you probably won’t be asked to do any harder stuff. It is certainly possible that you might be asked to do something like trot or canter without stirrups.

Here is a link to the USEF equitation list and an equitation blog that might be helpful:
http://bigeqspectations.com/317-usef-equitation-tests-1-19/

I would say expect to do a roll back over fences and a bending line and perhaps some no stirrup work if you are called back to do the flat. Often only those with a certain score over fences will be called back to test or flat.

Good luck and have fun!
:yes:

[Soaponarope]

One tip is to listen carefully to the announcer’s directions. So if you are asked to trot or canter and then told to line up, do exactly what you are told. Don’t break to a walk just because you are told to line up. Sometimes the judge gets tricky.

[findeight]

Actually, the rulebook of the Association that gives points for that show, if any, would be the best choice at a show thats not affiliated with USEF. It might say refer to USEF rules but many of the Eq tests listed are not appropriate in an Open 2’6" Eq or Medal at the local level.

Has to be pretty basic for riders ftom 9 years to 50 at their first show or their 500th on everything from old warhorses well past prime to the very Green youngster. Not as specialized as the USEF rateds.

[Ibex]

OP is in Canada, and there are no points for this show. I think she’s looking for more general points on how to ride it

NS: Having made the change to Hunters/Eq, here’s what I’ve seen:

1. Think “dressage test” when you ride it. Not in terms of contact etc, but how you ride the course. Use your space, and go for accuracy, like you would in a dressage test.

2. You’ll get some questions that will be fairly simple coming from eventing (rollbacks, possibly a trot jump etc), but remember you need to do it elegantly. Where a visible half halt would be fine in eventing, it needs to be invisible. Again, think subtle “dressage test” aids, not jumper round git’r’dun.

3. Dress like a hunter. Fitted pad, standing martingale if needed, plain cavesson, hunter braids. Boots are allowed in the eq classes.

[Daventry]

Everything that has been mentioned is great advice. Since you are coming from the eventing world, I would just make sure you are aware that you cannot have solid black stirrup irons in equitation classes. These result in elimination, as the judge cannot properly see whether the rider has lost a stirrup or not.

[Belmont]

[QUOTE=Ibex;8320102]
OP is in Canada, and there are no points for this show. I think she’s looking for more general points on how to ride it

NS: Having made the change to Hunters/Eq, here’s what I’ve seen:

1. Think “dressage test” when you ride it. Not in terms of contact etc, but how you ride the course. Use your space, and go for accuracy, like you would in a dressage test.

2. You’ll get some questions that will be fairly simple coming from eventing (rollbacks, possibly a trot jump etc), but remember you need to do it elegantly. Where a visible half halt would be fine in eventing, it needs to be invisible. Again, think subtle “dressage test” aids, not jumper round git’r’dun.

3. Dress like a hunter. Fitted pad, standing martingale if needed, plain cavesson, hunter braids. Boots are allowed in the eq classes.[/QUOTE]

I agree with this. Except, my coach was always adamant we took the harder routes (more of the roll backs, etc) than the huntery routes some will take. Do what makes you comfortable, because if you fudge the harder routes then the huntery course will place above you. Our classes didn’t usually make us drop stirrups except for flatting every once in a while. We did have trot jumps, halts, etc. There wasn’t usually a work off.

[AndNirina]

Here’s a link to a typical 2’6" medal round: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eECoXI1wHEA

[Wonders12]

As everyone has said, they can vary widely.

The course will probably be more like a handy hunter/hunter derby course. Some rollbacks, bending lines, trot fence possibly, halt possibly, hand gallop possibly, etc. (These could either be in the first round or during the “test” when they call people back.)

On the flat, you could be asked for no stirrups, counter canter (although I would be surprised at 2’6"), and simple changes of lead down the long side/center/on a figure of eight. They really can ask you for almost anything, but these are the most common I’ve seen at that level.

A few tips: know the fence numbers and never undress until the class is pinned.

[M_O_Connor]

[QUOTE=normandy_shores;8319481]
I suppose I’ll just email the organizer and ask what we might expect to see in a medal class at that level. My question was more along the lines of the specifics in the class, like “counter canter, no stirrups, lead changes” etc. I didn’t phrase my question very well.

Thanks![/QUOTE]

When you email the management (or the secretary) ask where you can find the ‘specs’ for the classes in question.

Most equitation “medals” will have specific requirements: one may include a flat phase of all riders who complete the jumping phase without major errors, while another may require a test of the top four riders, while another may include one or more tests in the initial course.

It’s not possible to be any more accurate in telling you what to expect without seeing the class specs for the classes in the prize list. If a show is completely unrated, and the medal classes aren’t qualifiers for a final or high score award, they will still be modeled after classes that serve as qualifiers or are for points. So you can refer to how those classes are conducted.

If you are asking about the strategy you need to employ while riding in these classes, that’s another thing entirely, but the answer is easy. Don’t attempt to alter your style drastically to fit a mold you aren’t entirely familiar with and just ride your best.

[CHT]

A tip I wish I had told my student for her first medal class. Make sure when you go in to do the flat phase, you still remember the course and which number all the jumps are. After the flat, the top 4 will likely be told a pattern, and the jumps will be referenced by number. You will likely only be told twice, and will not be allowed to watch the other riders go (facing the other way). If you don’t have the number of each jump in your head, you will get confused when they start listing jumps to do for the pattern!

(such as: canter from the line up, jump fence 5, 8, trot fence 9 canter fence 1 and 4, then halt).

[normandy_shores]

[QUOTE=Ibex;8319834]
Is this at Topline??? You guys are going to rock it![/QUOTE]

I am entered at Topline, but just regular hunter and jumper classes (except the hunter derby, which Moo really will rock).

This is at KRC the weekend after, thinking of going to that too.

[Ibex]

Only one word of caution for the derby should the fences have a solid look… Her highness made her Hunter debut on the grass at milner, took one look at the pseudo-solid fences, and thought she was going XC. Probably the fastest round in the class