Training Level has what, 13-15 movements? It’s very easy to blow a decent score to pieces with a young-horse-moment, especially if it happens on a double coefficient movement or between two movements. The horses that really nail Training Level are obedient, fancy movers who show little-to-no instability in the tempo or connection.
Flip side. The Young Horse tests aren’t scored by movement-- it’s essentially just scored by the collective remarks (I know it’s not a 1:1 fit, but it’s pretty close). Accuracy isn’t as crucial as it is in the other national level tests.
Full disclosure: I end up showing in the national levels because I’m usually a year or two behind the Young Horse progression. But by that time they’ve got enough mileage under saddle that I can (usually) trust that we can keep it together for the 8 minutes in the ring. Usually.
why not do both? Anyways, the horses aren’t even broke yet, so see how they look u/s and how they move. Some take several months/years to show the gaits and thoroughness u/s as they do moving freely- in other words, see what you have and don’t worry so much now Good to get info and best of luck,
You can also do in hand classes, I highly suggest that to get them out. Or take them to a HJ show for in hand or u/s. Lots of WBs there too-- and nice ones!
Young horses that do well in those classes aren’t pushed hard. They shouldn’t be pushed hard. The talent has to be there and a good rider can bring out the best of its horse in fewer/shorter training sessions, there really is no need of training 5 days a week for these 4yrs old FEI prospect youngsters. Hacking, some short lunging sessions and good efficient training is all it takes.
Some 4 yrs old are also older than others. Depends on their birthdate. Some are close to 5yrs old, which mean they had more time to develop.
They are judged on how fancy they are - so if they aren’t super fancy, pushed super hard, they won’t score well. And there is some expectation of balance and training. Did you watch the YH Championships at Lamplight last year? The comments were pretty tough on some of the horses who really weren’t “ready” for the competition.
That makes my point. If it looks rushed, it won’t score well.
Judges also like to see the rider adjusting the rider to the horse’s fitness; example of what I heard from a FEI judge : ‘‘there really is no need to sit the trot on a 4yrs old’’.
I agree with Equibrit - I do think for most horses, the Young Horse classes push too much, too soon. They are designed for the super advanced young horse with the matching rider. And this was emphasized in the Young Horse Development Symposium.
Some people just don’t understand the young horses classes. I’ve seen some weird riding going on in these classes.
It is not meant for everyone and/or surely not for any 4yrs old.
Sometime, I like to compare it to the jumping young horses classes. Since it is more ‘‘dangerous’’ in a way, you don’t see much horses (and riders) that don’t belong there as much as in dressage.
4yrs old are expected to do 1m10 = 3’6’’
5yrs old, jumps goes up to 1m20 = 3’9’’
6yrs old, it goes up to 1m30 = 4’3’’
7/8 yrs old, it’s up to 1m40 = 4’6’’
I will be honest with you, from what it sounds like you don’t have the experience to be entering these materials classes. Keeping in mind you have others in the ring, most of these people are professionals riding some very hot and reactive young warmbloods. Even if your horse is good at home there is no predicting what it might do in this kind of atmosphere (even if your horse is FINE theres a large chance it will not stay fine if someone else’s mount starts losing it) and you need to have the stones to ride it out and ensure the safety of yourself and everyone around you.
Since it sounds like you don’t even know what the classes are about it would be a better idea to stick to classes where you are alone in the ring and railbird at some of the bigger shows watching materiale classes until you understand what’s going on without having to ask the internet.
I love all your great advice, but I am not sure what you are talking about??? My 4 year old is broken, going to her first clinic in 2 weeks and got a 82% in a in hand class as a 2 year old… And also not sure why you think it takes years to show gaits…I guess it depends on the horse…
Thanks for your valuable advice, but I guess you missed the topic… The question was not whether I have enough experience to ride these classes (by the way, do you have enough experience to evaluate my experience??)
And very sorry for you, that you seem to be so scared of professionals and very hot and reactive young warmbloods I love my very hot and reactive young warmbloods and I am just trying to find a way to introduce them to shows.
And if I don’t have enough experience now then there is the chance that I will gain some experience by doing it. So far I survived my shows, but I really really feel sorry for you and your fears about safety on horses… Riding is so much fun. Just stay cool and enjoy it… Sometime more things are possible then you think…
Good to get info and best of luck,
I love my very hot and reactive young warmbloods and I am just trying to find a way to introduce them to shows.