The FEI Young Horse Experience

By, Jamie J. Schmitt

 By now many dressage riders have begun to hear about the newly developed FEI Young Horse Dressage Program.  This program, which has been designed specifically for five and six year old horses, was started by the FEI and the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses to create an international standard for the training of young dressage horses.  By standardizing and testing the proficiency of young horses the FEI has given trainers and judges a clear guideline of expectations for the progression of young dressage mounts.

 The Tests

 The tests used for the FEI Young Horse classes were designed specifically to test both the quality and talent of the young horses competing.  The tests for both age groups are fairly challenging and require the horse to have a certain degree of capability as well as correct training with solid basics.  Horses with poor conformation, slow development, or improper training would find these tests incredibly difficult if not impossible to perform correctly at the required ages.  As a result, trainers must use proper judgment to present suitable horses that are both physically and mentally capable of performing the tasks required. 

The five-year-old test is typically said to be the equivalent of First Level Test 4.  However, this being said, it should be known that some of the requirements differ from those in First Level.  The five-year-old test is looking for the horses to be starting collected work and to have slightly more engagement than what is required for First Level.  Within the tests movements such as simple changes of lead, medium trot and canter, serpentines and 10 meter circles are testing the horses engagement, rideability, suppleness, submissiveness, and general aptitude for collection.  It is not enough for the horse to have spectacular gaits; he must also have an attitude for work and an ability to focus in order to perform the five-year-old tests well.  

The six-year-old tests build on the foundation laid the year prior and expect a proficiency equivalent to that required in Third Level.  Here the horse’s capabilities are tested further with the inclusion of flying changes, extended trot and canter, shoulder-in, half pass, rein back and walk pirouettes.  It is important that the six-year-old horse has been trained properly and maintains freedom and ease in his work even as the degree of collection increases.  As with the five-year-old horses, the six-year-old must also possess a good work ethic and ability to focus in order to perform such a challenging test with ease.

 The Judging

Different from standard dressage tests, the FEI five and six year old dressage tests have been designed to evaluate the overall quality and potential of a young horse as opposed to judging each individual movement of the test.  A panel of two or three judges that sit together at C and collaborate to give one final score judge these tests.  While observing the performance the judges grade the quality and correctness of five main points – the walk, trot, canter, submissiveness, and the general impression.

In each of the three gaits the judges are looking for a clear, correct rhythm, proper balance, looseness, and ground cover.  Any problems in these areas would result in concern for the horse’s future capability and also a lower score while outstanding ability in these areas would result in a very high score.  When judging submissiveness the judge is looking to see that the horse seeks the bit and takes a steady, light and consistent contact with the riders hand while staying focused and obedient to the rider’s aids.  The mark for general impression scores the horse’s potential as a dressage horse, the correctness of his training, and his overall quality. 

Each category is scored individually on a scale of 0 – 10 which, different from standard dressage tests, may also be broken down into decimals.  For instance, scores such as a 6.7 or 8.2 may be given for a particular category.  Upon the completion of the test all five marks are given immediately along with a brief verbal commentary from the judges.  These five marks are then averaged to calculate the final score.              

As with normal dressage tests, marks in the 6’s or the 60 percentile are most riders’ goals and indicate a proficient test and a quality horse.  7’s and 8’s are reserved for horses that ride a proficient test and have above average gaits or are particularly special as dressage prospects.  The very best horses in the nation are capable of consistently attaining scores in the high 70’s and low 80’s.  9’s and 10’s are seldom given out and are typically awarded to the most outstanding young horses in the world.  These horses have extra special gaits, quality, submissiveness, and talent and offer the most promise as international dressage horses. 

The Competitions

Competitions for FEI Young Horses are offered on both national and international levels.  Many local recognized competitions offer these classes as well.  The most prestigious of all the Young Horse competitions is the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses’ (WBFSH) World Breeding Championships in Verden, Germany.  This is an annual competition in which countries from across the world send their very best five and six year old horses to compete for the World Champion title.  All horses that compete at the World Championships must first qualify with a minimum score of at least a 7.5 or 75% and most countries are limited to just one or two entries.  It is at this esteemed competition that you will see horses capable of achieving scores in the high 9’s or 90 percentile – some of the most magnificent young horses in the world.

On a national level the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the North American Breeders Futurity (NABF) offer two Championships for which the best in the nation gather.  The USEF Young Horse Dressage National Championship has been running for two years and has quickly become one of the most competitive Young Horse championships in the United States.  Horses qualify for the championships by either participating in one of three regional Selection Trials or by submitting scores to the USEF.  Although it is not sanctioned by the FEI, the Young Horse National Championships has an FEI feel about it and is a wonderful chance for trainers to present their horses to the top judges in the country.          

The NABF Young Horse Championship, also in it’s second year, runs in conjunction with Dressage at Devon and is a special competition specifically for young horses born or bred in North America (i.e. Canada, United States, Mexico).  Horses that meet the breeding criteria must qualify for the competition by submitting scores prior to the competition date.  Due to the championship’s affiliation with the NABF and the Oldenburg/ISR Registry of North America a large sum of prize money is offered to both Futurity Nominated participants and those bred in North America who are not Futurity Nominated.  In addition this competition gives trainers the valuable opportunity of introducing their young horses to the “Devon” atmosphere before they reach the FEI levels.  

The Experience

During the 2004 competition season I had the pleasure of taking my talented five year old Dutch Warmblood gelding ‘Silverado’ through the USEF Young Horse Program.  We qualified for the Central Selection Trials in early May and went on to compete in the Finals at the Selection Trails at Lamplight Equestrian Center near Chicago, IL in late May finishing Third regionally.  We then went on the USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage National Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY in early September from which we brought home an exciting sixth place finish.

The Young Horse National Championships is a competition that is really dedicated to promoting young horses in the United States.  In September 2004 Nineteen top five year olds and fifteen six year olds gathered from every end of the country to compete and no competitor went home empty handed.  Neck ribbons and saddle pads were awarded to the top ten in each age group during a beautiful award ceremony in which each of the top ten riders and horses were introduced individually.  A red USEF duffel bag filled with prizes such as a polo shirt, baseball cap, horse treats, pens, and free park passes were given to every competitor regardless of placing.  Most exciting, however, was the quality of all the young horses presented and the very apparent importance of this competition to the USEF and everyone involved.

At the end of September Silverado and I traveled out to Devon, PA to participate in the North American Breeders Futurity Young Horse Championship where we set a personal best score of 80.2% and took the overall second place.  Although this championship was not as large as the National Championships, the quality of the horses presented was very high.  The winning horse, Balmoral, ridden by Jacqueline Brooks from Canada, won with an impressive 82% and the top three horses all scored above 78%.  This is a promising competition that encourages riders to train and compete North American bred horses rather than importing European bred horses. 

The Young Horse program has been an incredible experience for both Silverado and myself.  Both positive and educational this program helps riders develop horses through their younger years and into the FEI levels.  Due to the nature of this program, knowledgeable, respected judges who have a good understanding of what makes a successful FEI horse very often judge these classes.  The commentary immediately following the ride allows the rider/trainer to learn the strengths and weaknesses of their horse and how to improve upon them.  As an active dressage trainer I am excited by the possibilities and opportunities that the Young Horse Program presents and hopefully this will continue to be a valuable program for talented horses and the people who train them.

"For the Love of the Horse"