Free Cycles, Classic Cycles, Training Classes, Young Horse Circuits…

When you own a young horse, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the wide range of classes available. Today, we break down all the competition options you can enter with a young horse, so you can choose the most suitable path for their development.

I. Which horses are concerned?

First of all, what do we mean by “young horse”?
For the purpose of this article, we are referring to horses between 0 and 6 years old.

For example, during the 2022 season (in the French alphabetical naming system), this included horses born up to the “G” year. In 2023, it shifted to the “H” year, and so on.

Related content

https://blog.equisense.com/exercices-jeunes-chevaux/

II. Competitions accessible to young horses

In France, young horses can compete in events governed by two main organizations:
the SHF (Société Hippique Française) and the FFE (French Equestrian Federation).

Internationally, young horse competitions are also organized under the authority of the FEI (Fédération Équestre Internationale).

For the FFE, there are six main categories:

Pony – Club – Preparatory – Amateur – Instructor – Pro

SHF competitions are divided into two circuits:

• The breeding circuit (0–3 years old)
• The 4–6-year-old circuit

💡 Please note 💡

SHF classes are only open to horses registered in specific studbooks. In France, four studbooks are officially recognized by the SHF:

• Selle Français Studbook
• National Anglo-Arabian Association
• Arabian Horse Association
• French Federation of Ponies and Small Horses

Within the French Federation of Ponies and Small Horses, the following breeds are included:

Connemara – Criollo – Dartmoor – Fjord – Haflinger – Highland – Irish Cob – Icelandic – New Forest – French Riding Pony – Shetland – Welsh

Specific rules vary depending on each studbook. The table below summarizes the general information for three of them: Selle Français, Anglo-Arabian, and Pony.

Please note that classes are divided between males and females/geldings. For detailed information about each class, you will find links to the official regulations in the references section.

Les inscriptions au stud-book français du cheval Arabe se faisant au titre de l’ascendance ou au titre de l’importation, nous ne les avons pas inclus dans ce tableau.

III. From 0 to 3 Years Old: SHF Breeding Classes

There are specific rules depending on each studbook. The table below summarizes general information for three studbooks: Selle Français, Anglo-Arabian, and Pony.

Please note that classes are separated between males and females/geldings. For details on each class, you will find links to the official regulations in the references section.

IV. From 4 to 6 years old: SHF and FFE Classes

In this age category, horses can now compete not only in SHF classes but also in FFE competitions. Altogether, these classes cover seven disciplines:

Dressage – Show Jumping – Eventing – Style Hunter – Endurance – Driving – PRATIC

Today, we will focus on the Olympic disciplines, as they concern the majority of riders. However, if you would be interested in an article covering the other disciplines, feel free to let us know in the comments!

For SHF classes, horses and ponies compete separately, each with their own specific regulations. In some cases, a pony may compete in young horse classes. We will go into more detail about this in the following sections.

Within the SHF 4–6-year-old horse circuit, there are several categories: Classic Cycles (CC) and Free Cycles (FC). The so-called “training” classes are part of the Classic Cycle category.

May be interesting

https://www.shf.eu/fr/valorisation/informations-documents/dressage-chevaux/protocoles.html

Dressage

https://www.ffe.com/pratiquer/disciplines/dressage

Pony classes are open to equines up to 148 cm without shoes. There is a special provision for ponies over 148 cm without shoes, which can compete in “Pony E” classes. These E classes also include other pony sizes when ridden by an adult rider.

IV. Riders requirements

Not all classes are open to every level. The list below shows the minimum riding level required to participate in the corresponding classes:

• Preparatory Classes – Level 2
• Club Classes
  • Club 4 & 3 – Level 2
  • Club 2 – Level 3
  • Club 1 – Level 4
  • Club Elite – Level 6
• Pony Classes
  • Pony 4, 3 & 2 and E3 – Level 2
  • Pony 1 & Elite, As Pony 2C/2D, and E2 & E1 – Level 4
  • As Pony 1, As Pony Elite, and E Elite – Level 6
• Amateur / Instructor / Pro Classes – Level 7

V. Jump heights and specifications

Jump heights and specifications are indicated in the following tables as follows:

Show Jumping (CSO): straight jump height – oxer height – minimum oxer width / maximum oxer width

Eventing (CCE): straight jump height – oxer height – minimum oxer width / maximum oxer width
Maximum number of efforts on the cross-country course, maximum height of fixed obstacles