Talk to me about adult eq classes!

[Ready_To_Riot]

I’m lucky to be located in an area where I have fabulous AA shows within an hour drive. Next year I plan on mostly doing the schooling circuit, but am aiming to go to a few bigger shows if my horses and I are ready. So I’m looking at the prize list for the AA show next week and trying to see what I should go watch. I’m planning on seeing the Grand Prix just because and wanted to check out the derbys as well. Then I noticed the ariat adult medal. It seems fun! I loved equitation as a kid, so why not do it as an adult?!? I’ve researched some of the specifications for the class and i don’t see why me and either of my horses shouldn’t be able to do it.

So questions, any of you guys done adult eq? Fun? And what exactly does an adult eq horse look like. Both of my mares are on the small side (14.2 and 15.3) but both are big strided. I assume it’s a pretty competitive class, would my girls sizes hinder us? Assuming they can make the lines that is.

[chicagojumper]

[QUOTE=Ready To Riot;8346351]
I’m lucky to be located in an area where I have fabulous AA shows within an hour drive. Next year I plan on mostly doing the schooling circuit, but am aiming to go to a few bigger shows if my horses and I are ready. So I’m looking at the prize list for the AA

<snip>

So questions, any of you guys done adult eq? Fun? And what exactly does an adult eq horse look like. Both of my mares are on the small side (14.2 and 15.3) but both are big strided. I assume it’s a pretty competitive class, would my girls sizes hinder us? Assuming they can make the lines that is.[/QUOTE]

I’ve done the adult eq quite a bit in a fairly competitive zone. The competitiveness of it varies a lot depending on the show and your general location. A lot of horse shows use the basic adult eq division as a warm up class for the Amateur Adults…first trip is technically adult eq, then they do their ammy trips. So at the bigger AA shows, you’ll be competing against some very nice 3’0 and occasionally 3’6 hunters. In my experience, those adult eq o/f classes are just your typical outside-diagonal-outside-diagonal course and are very straightforward.

The medals are a lot more fun and are run like any typical junior equitation medal. You have an eq style first round, then callbacks for the top 4 to test. It can get quite competitive, but these can be tough to fill at times. My state association medal and the Farnam usually have a decent number of people riding in it…the Ariat tends to struggle for entries more than the other medals.

Adult eq horses on the A circuit are typically either the a/o and a/a hunters just getting a chance to take a peek at the ring or they’re dedicated eq horses like you see in the big eq classes. A lot of the nice big eq horses stepping down will move to the adult medals, or sometimes an adult will lease a big eq horse for a few shows just to qualify in their medals…some of the horses do jr and adult medal double duty and the 3’0 adults serves as a good warm up trip before they do the 3’6 with the juniors.

The size of your horse doesn’t really matter as long as they are appropriately sized for you and they have the step. The big AA shows will have the jumps maxed to 3’0 and the lines will be set to distance, so that is something to take into consideration.

[Hiddenspot]

I love adult EQ. I rode a hunter in the beg adults and placed quite well. I recently bought a jumper who I hope to cross over into EQ. I wouldn’t say it is terrible competitive but I have showed in classes up to 20-25 people.

[comingback]

Agreed with the above. Many times in my area, people will use it as a warm up for the adults. Depending on the show, there may not be that many entries. Keep in mind the Ariat only needs one to fill (but what fun is it to compete against yourself!).

I like the eq and I like that there is a test. So much more interesting than a hunter course

[roamingnome]

Yes, if the Adult Eq runs right before/open card with the A/A hunters, expect ‘boring’ courses, even at AA shows. When I took my eq horse into those classes we typically didn’t place well, maybe 6th out of 30? But always won the flat, and placed very high in the medals.

The medals are very fun, but it depends on the show/your location. I’ve done the Ariat with 3, and I’ve done it with 25+.

[JenEM]

I like it, maybe because I never got to do BigEq as a Junior I haven’t gotten to do the Adult Eq division, because at the smaller shows I’ve done where it’s been offered, it hasn’t filled. Usually the state organization Adult Medals fill, and are reasonably competitive, the Ariat seems to be hit or miss, but it will run with one rider, so if it’s offered, you can always do it and just be a class of one! Not great for points, but great if you just love an eq course.

[541hunter]

You will most likely struggle in the adult eq on the 14.2 hander, if only because the picture will be slightly “off.” The judges that come to my area (zone 9) seem to dislike adults on ponies past the 2’6" (but I have seen some nice rounds pin decently at that level!)

That being said, your 15.3er (assuming you fit him/her and can make the strides, etc) will work perfectly. Plenty of sub-16ers in the adults in my zone.

I back gate at the A/AA shows in my state, usually in the ring with the adults, Jrs, and AOs, so I watch a lot of trips. The adult eq is a mix of those that do AA hunters, 3’3" AOs, and 3’6" AOs. At the shows I work, they usually have an “eq-y” course (not over the top, but often with a bending line, rollback, etc) during the division. Medals get a similar course in the spring but ramp up during the summer, with trot fences, lots of options for inside tracks, etc. The Ariat doesn’t tend to get a ton of love since only a few horses go east for Indoors in the whole zone, so finals are beyond most people’s reach. But our state association does an adult medal (and a 3’6" medal open to juniors AND amateurs!) that’s very popular, and the company I work for does its own medal series, which is usually used as a warm-up for the state association’s medal.

I’m actually aiming for the 3’ in the next couple years and I can’t wait to do the adult medals. My barnmate and I are scheming to make it to the Ariat medal finals the same year one of our juniors qualifies for Maclay finals so we can all make the trip and be broke together :yes:

[Ready_To_Riot]

Awesome information guys! Thank you! I just found out they our local association does an adult medal as well and the finals for it are held during the last AA show of the year. I’m not sure how realistic it is for me to travel to the indoors, but I want to!

We will see how the show season goes and what I can realistically do. My little mare would honestly be the best eq horse, but I don’t want judges to discriminate against her. I fit both of them very well. The small one is wide in the barrel so she takes up my leg and the other is just talk I’m only 5’. So I look fine on both of them

I’ll see what my trainer thinks! Thank you again!!

[Ready_To_Riot]

[QUOTE=541hunter;8346787]
You will most likely struggle in the adult eq on the 14.2 hander, if only because the picture will be slightly “off.” The judges that come to my area (zone 9) seem to dislike adults on ponies past the 2’6" (but I have seen some nice rounds pin decently at that level!)

That being said, your 15.3er (assuming you fit him/her and can make the strides, etc) will work perfectly. Plenty of sub-16ers in the adults in my zone.

I back gate at the A/AA shows in my state, usually in the ring with the adults, Jrs, and AOs, so I watch a lot of trips. The adult eq is a mix of those that do AA hunters, 3’3" AOs, and 3’6" AOs. At the shows I work, they usually have an “eq-y” course (not over the top, but often with a bending line, rollback, etc) during the division. Medals get a similar course in the spring but ramp up during the summer, with trot fences, lots of options for inside tracks, etc. The Ariat doesn’t tend to get a ton of love since only a few horses go east for Indoors in the whole zone, so finals are beyond most people’s reach. But our state association does an adult medal (and a 3’6" medal open to juniors AND amateurs!) that’s very popular, and the company I work for does its own medal series, which is usually used as a warm-up for the state association’s medal.

I’m actually aiming for the 3’ in the next couple years and I can’t wait to do the adult medals. My barnmate and I are scheming to make it to the Ariat medal finals the same year one of our juniors qualifies for Maclay finals so we can all make the trip and be broke together :yes:[/QUOTE]

Where are you located?

[JenEM]

[QUOTE=Ready To Riot;8346949]
Awesome information guys! Thank you! I just found out they our local association does an adult medal as well and the finals for it are held during the last AA show of the year. I’m not sure how realistic it is for me to travel to the indoors, but I want to!

We will see how the show season goes and what I can realistically do. My little mare would honestly be the best eq horse, but I don’t want judges to discriminate against her. I fit both of them very well. The small one is wide in the barrel so she takes up my leg and the other is just talk I’m only 5’. So I look fine on both of them

I’ll see what my trainer thinks! Thank you again!![/QUOTE]

Also be really aware that the Ariat includes a two stride, so you really have to be able to make the step. I don’t think that’s necessarily a requirement for regular adult eq, and it may vary on the local association medals. But it may be a factor, if you’ve got one that’s smaller.

[findeight]

The judges won’t discriminate on size, unless you are 5’8" on the 14.2 hander, which would look weird. A two stride or a combination with a one stride (yes they have them in AA level 3’ Hunters and Eq) set at honest height, width and at a 12-13 foot step is just about impossible for a 14.2 hander to execute smoothly and a rider to display decent Eq on. So many people claim their small horse has plenty of step but that rarely proves true, they may get through but it’s not stylish and certainly doesn’t showcase the rider. They blame size anyway or breed, type, color, what brand of saddle they ride, jacket color, whatever.

Only one of mine was over 16h, the others were around 15.3. We did fine in the Hunters, cross entered in the Low Jumpers a few times and got around fine in the Eq. Have a friend who did the Ariat on her Adult Jumper, did great, even though it was usually a Hunter type course, went to Finals a few times. It’s fun.

[Ready_To_Riot]

I definitely know my little girl can make the strides, but I honestly don’t know how I look. That’s a good point. My trainer will be a better judge on if she will make it as an eq horse! I really wish they had adult pony medals! Lol

[541hunter]

[QUOTE=Ready To Riot;8346953]
Where are you located?[/QUOTE]

I’m in Oregon.

[Ready_To_Riot]

541hunter I thought maybe you were in my area since it sounds just like my area. I’m much closer to the east coast than you!

[findeight]

the typical two stride in a 3’ class is going to be a vertical to an oxer with that oxer as wide as it is tall and stuffed with decoration so it looks bigger and gets you a bigger jump. With the two stride line set at 36’, a horse without the step is going to end up short of the base and either chip or leave long, which yiu dont want in front of a spread. 3’ isnt huge but its big enough getting over the oxer off a bad or long, weak spot could mean a wreck.

[chicagojumper]

[QUOTE=findeight;8347036]
The judges won’t discriminate on size, unless you are 5’8" on the 14.2 hander, which would look weird. A two stride or a combination with a one stride (yes they have them in AA level 3’ Hunters and Eq) set at honest height, width and at a 12-13 foot step is just about impossible for a 14.2 hander to execute smoothly and a rider to display decent Eq on. So many people claim their small horse has plenty of step but that rarely proves true, they may get through but it’s not stylish and certainly doesn’t showcase the rider. [/QUOTE]

This is a really good point, and it’s something to think about with regards to the more technical medal courses. Yes, you can open up and gallop down a 2 stride, but what if you have a rollback immediately after or need to collect to make an inside turn? This is where the difficulty increases a lot for substantially smaller horses.

[Ready_To_Riot]

I definitely understand what everyone is saying, but little mare was also my prelim event horse, if that can tell you anything about her skill level. Idk how that compares to a medal class, as I haven’t done one, but would be interested in the comparison.

Don’t take this as me arguing, because I’m not. I simply don’t know. I figured if she could ride the technical prelim courses (championships and the like) then she would be fine in medal. But again, I don’t know and I appreciate everyone’s input. keep it coming!!

[541hunter]

[QUOTE=Ready To Riot;8347343]
I definitely understand what everyone is saying, but little mare was also my prelim event horse, if that can tell you anything about her skill level. Idk how that compares to a medal class, as I haven’t done one, but would be interested in the comparison.

Don’t take this as me arguing, because I’m not. I simply don’t know. I figured if she could ride the technical prelim courses (championships and the like) then she would be fine in medal. But again, I don’t know and I appreciate everyone’s input. keep it coming!![/QUOTE]

It’s less about skill level/scope and more about how the judge wants a course to look. In both hunters and eq, you can’t be honest to God galloping like you’re used to in eventing, it looks too fast. So most honies and ponies are gonna have a tough time getting the horse stride in the lines/in-and-outs without sacrificing the style.

Even if your shorty can answer all the questions, she can’t be scrambling to get the strides. Not saying it’s right in the eq, but it is what it is. If the 14.2er actually DOES have the ability to get the horse strides without running, and you don’t look outrageously tall on her, then disregard.

[Ready_To_Riot]

I’m super excited to start work with my trainer to see what she says! I love being the underdog lol of course I won’t do it if she can’t win! I for her perfectly, so that isn’t the issue. If she can’t we will just do jumpers and be happy other mare will have to step up and be my hunter and eq horse!

[chicagojumper]

OP, if you go to http://livestream.com/accounts/13833257/events/4335673 and scroll down, you can find full footage of this year’s IHJA medal finals, including the IHJA Adult Medal and the M&S Farnam Adult Medal finals. These finals are held in the huge grand prix ring at Lamplight so the courses tend to be big and a little more forward than your day-to-day medal courses, but you an get an idea of the horse type and some of the questions asked in these courses.

Edited to add: Diane Carney does commentary on the IHJA medal, which shows you exactly what judges are looking for during these trips.