Competition Tests in Germany
Basic and Further Tests for Young Horses
Young Horse Tests | These trials are exclusively intended for 3-4 year old riding horses and ponies. They will be judged on the quality of the basic gaits trot-canter-walk, type and quality of conformation and the overall impression of the horse / pony. |
Suitability Tests | Tests in which the horse, undergoing a wide-ranging assessment and right at the beginning of its training, is tested to identify the disciplines in which it can be used immediately. Small jumping courses, a rideability test and possibly a small cross-country trial must be passed. |
Dressage Tests for Young Horses | The judging committee assesses the horse according to the criteria of rideability, basic gaits, overall impression, action, conformation, impression, suppleness and elasticity of movements. |
Show Jumping Tests for Young Horses | The judge wants to see a fluid, harmonious clearance of the course. Aspects assessed include rideability and jumping action, basic speed and flexibility of the horse. |
Dressage Tests
Class | Gaits, Tempi & Transitions | Movements |
E - Preliminary Test | Medium walk (min. 40 m consecutive), working trot, working canter | To go large, circles, change through the whole arena |
A - Novice Test | In addition to Class E: medium trot, medium canter | In addition to Class E: voltes (10 m), serpentines, leg yielding, rein back |
L - Elementary Test | In addition to Class A: collected trot, collected canter | In addition to Class A: counter canter, walk pirouette, volte in canter, simple change |
M - Medium Test | In addition to Class L: extended walk, extended trot, extended canter, collected walk | In addition to Class L: shoulder-in, half pass, rein-back, flying change |
S - Advanced Test | As in Class M | In addition to Class M: canter pirouettes, tempi changes every 2, 3 and 4 strides |
S - Intermediaire/ Grand Prix | As in Class M | In addition: piaffe, passage, tempi change every stride |
Show Jumping Classes
Class | Height / Spread | Max water ditch spread |
E - Preliminary Test | 0.85 m (2'9'') | / |
A* - Novice Test | 0.95 m (3'1'') | / |
A** - Novice Test | 1.05 m (3'1'') | 2.50 m (8'2'') |
L - Elementary Test | 1.15 m (3'9'') | 3.00 m (9'9'') |
M* - Medium Test | 1.25 m (4'1'') | 3.50 m (11'5'') |
M** - Medium Test | 1.35 m (4'5'') | 4.00 m (13'1'') |
S* - Advanced Test | 1.40 m (4'7'') | 4.10 m (13'5'') |
S** - Advanced Test | 1.45 m (4'9'') | 4.30 m (14'1'') |
S*** - Advanced Test | 1.50 m (4'11'') | 4.50 m (14'8'') |
S**** - Advanced Test | 1.55 m (5'1'') | 4.50 m (14'8'') |
Deviations of up to +/- 5 cm (2'') in height and -10 (4'') /+20 cm (8'') in width are permitted (any width is permitted as of advanced class).
Eventing: Cross-Country Trials
Class | Course length in meters (approx.) | Max jump height | Upper / lower jump spread | Max ditch spread | Drop jump |
VE, VE/A | 1,000 - 2,000 | 0.90 m (2'11'') | 1.00 m/1.50 m (3'3'')/(4'11'') | 0.80 m (2'7'') | 0.90 m (2'11'') |
VA, VA/L | 1,500 - 3,000 | 1.00 m (3'3'') | 1.20 m/1.80 m (3'11'')/(5'9'') | 2.00 m (6'6'') | 1.20 m (3'11'') |
VL, VL/M | 2,400 - 3,200 | 1.10 m (3'7'') | 1.40 m/2.10 m (4''7'')/(6'11'') | 2.80 m (9'2'') | 1.60 m (5'3'') |
GVL | 3,640 - 4,680 | 1.10 m (3'7'') | 1.40 m/2.10 m (4''7'')/(6'11'') | 2.80 m (9'2'') | 1.60 m (5'3'') |
VM, VM/S | 2,800 - 3,600 | 1.15 m (3'9'') | 1.60 m/2.40 m (5'3'')/(7'11'') | 3.20 m (10'6'') | 1.80 m (5'9'') |
GVM | 4,400 - 5,500 | 1.15 m (3'9'') | 1.60 m/2.40 m (5'3'')/(7'11'') | 3.20 m (10'6'') | 1.80 m (5'9'') |
VS | 3,200 - 4,000 | 1.20 m (3'11'') | 1.80 m/2.70 m (5'9'')/(11'10'') | 3.60 m (11'10'') | 2.00 m (6'6'') |
GVS | 5,700 - 6,840 | 1.20 m (3'11'') | 1.80 m/2.70 m (5'9'')/(8'10'') | 3.60 m (11'10'') | 2.00 m (6'6'') |
As in the other tests, E stands for Preliminary Test, A for Novice Test, L for Elementary Test, M for Medium Test, S for Advanced Test. The V stands for Eventing and G for Large Eventing Trial. The speed varies between 450 m/min in Class E to 570 m/min in Class S. There are a maximum of 15 jumps in Class E to a maximum of 40 jumps in Class S.
Heights are taken from the German FN LPO, with conversions to feet from the RuleBook 2009 Website USEF.org
All descriptions are given as a guide only. The German Horse Center accepts no liability for content or completeness.
Trainer Qualifications
The professional training provided by the Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung (FN)
Pferdewirt | A 3 year training focusing on riding or breeding & stable management. Holders of the Pferdewirt: “Riding” can break in and train young horses, exercise and work older horses and present them in competitions. They are also qualified trainers for novices and more advanced riders. |
Pferdewirtschafts- meister | The highest level of training in Germany. Holders of the Pferdewirtschaftsmeister can run a riding business, train others for the Pferdewirt qualification, ride in dressage and show jumping competitions to at least Level M and train horses and riders to at least Level M. |
Additional Qualifications
Diplomtrainer-Reiten | Selected holders of the Pferdewirtschaftsmeister: “Riding” can take a further course towards the “Diplomtrainer” qualification with the Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung (FN) and the Trainer Academy of the Deutsche Olympia Sportbund. This combines equestrian sports with content that spans across sports types. |
Bewegungstrainer EM | Eckhardt Meyners is an internationally recognized expert on kinematics in riding. His gymnastic exercises can improve and balance out weaknesses. Holders of the "Bewegungstrainer EM" are qualified to school riders in this type of gymnastics. |
Awards
Stensbeck-/Graf v. Lehndorff-Award | Pferdewirt and Pferdewirtschaftsmeister holders who passed the examination with a particularly high grade receive this award. Stensbeck: Riding; Graf von Lehndorff: Breeding & Stable Management |
Goldenes Reitabzeichen | Competitive riders are honored by the Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung (FN) with the Goldene Reitabzeichen when they achieve 10 victories in Advanced Class (S) tests in one discipline (Dressage, Show Jumping, Eventing). |
Reitmeister | A very special title from the Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung (FN). This is awarded to individuals who have, for example, trained 50 or more horses to international Grand Prix successes or who have made a very special contribution to equestrian sports. |
All descriptions are given as a guide only. The German Horse Center accepts no liability for content or completeness.