YOUNG HORSE CLASSES 2018

THERE are three affiliated young horse/ pony series, culminating in finals at Hartpury, Hickstead and the British Dressage (BD) national championships at Stoneleigh.

Horses’ ages are taken from 1 January in the year of foaling — so a horse born any time in 2014 is eligible for four-year-old classes this year.

SHEARWATER BRITISH DRESSAGE YOUNG HORSE CHAMPIONSHIPS

FINAL: 20-23 September, Stoneleigh Park.

AGES: four, five and six.

SET TEST? Basic commanded route plan for qualifiers (where horses go into the arena in pairs); set test at the semi-finals (BD 2018 national tests for all age groups). Same test at final for pre-judging phase, then in the final, horses are ridden in groups of four (pictured, right) to a commanded floorplan. All in the final judging are ridden by the ride judge.

DIVISIONS: three age categories.

QUALIFIERS: about 20 first rounds; two semi-finals.

HICKSTEAD YOUNG HORSE CHAMPIONSHIPS

FINAL: 28-29 July, Hickstead.

AGES: five and six.

SET TEST? Yes. The national tests are the same throughout the series. International preliminary test is used in the first round, with international final test at semi-finals and championships.

DIVISIONS: national and international, run as separate championships — international tests are more demanding than national. Horses can contest both.

QUALIFIERS: 10 qualifying rounds at local shows and at Premier Leagues.

BRITISH DRESSAGE YOUNG PONY CHAMPIONSHIPS

FINAL: 4-8 July, Hartpury.

AGES: four, five and six.

SET TEST? At the six qualifiers, a commanded route plan is ridden. At the championship, the BD 2018 national tests for each age are used. Divisions: three age categories.

QUALIFIERS: six first rounds, qualifying directly for final.