{"id":33434,"date":"2026-02-12T11:45:05","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T10:45:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/?p=33434"},"modified":"2026-02-12T11:45:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T10:45:06","slug":"starting-competitions-with-a-young-horse-which-classes-to-try-first","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/starting-competitions-with-a-young-horse-which-classes-to-try-first\/","title":{"rendered":"I have a young horse : which competition should I start with?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Free Cycles, Classic Cycles, Training Classes, Young Horse Circuits\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you own a young horse, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" href=\"https:\/\/linktr.ee\/equisense?utm_source=ig&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_content=link_in_bio&amp;fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnOpYbZDrkiAazNMjvT5aZz8BnoqmDXTz_NZPag0DRnB2rkOKM7yCjPT7oqIA_aem_4fAIetwxsMMxgSoEZi0y6w\" style=\"background-color:#eb5b23\">Download the app<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Table des mati&egrave;res<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#I-Which-horses-are-concerned\">I. Which horses are concerned?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#II-Competitions-accessible-to-young-horses\">II. Competitions accessible to young horses<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#III-From-0-to-3-Years-Old-SHF-Breeding-Classes\">III. From 0 to 3 Years Old: SHF Breeding Classes<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#IV-From-4-to-6-years-old-SHF-and-FFE-Classes\">IV. From 4 to 6 years old: SHF and FFE Classes<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#IV-Riders-requirements\">IV. Riders requirements<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#V-Jump-heights-and-specifications\">V. Jump heights and specifications<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"I-Which-horses-are-concerned\">I. Which horses are concerned?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>First of all, what do we mean by \u201cyoung horse\u201d?<br>For the purpose of this article, we are referring to horses between 0 and 6 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, during the 2022 season (in the French alphabetical naming system), this included horses born up to the \u201cG\u201d year. In 2023, it shifted to the \u201cH\u201d year, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>Related content <\/p><cite><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/exercices-jeunes-chevaux\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/exercices-jeunes-chevaux\/\">https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/exercices-jeunes-chevaux\/<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2><span id=\"II-Competitions-accessible-to-young-horses\">II. Competitions accessible to young horses<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In France, young horses can compete in events governed by two main organizations:<br>the&nbsp;<strong>SHF (Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 Hippique Fran\u00e7aise)<\/strong>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<strong>FFE (French Equestrian Federation)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Internationally, young horse competitions are also organized under the authority of the&nbsp;<strong>FEI (F\u00e9d\u00e9ration \u00c9questre Internationale)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the FFE, there are six main categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Pony &#8211; Club &#8211; Preparatory &#8211; Amateur &#8211; Instructor &#8211; Pro<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SHF competitions are divided into two circuits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The breeding circuit (0\u20133 years old)<\/li><li>The 4\u20136-year-old circuit<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&#x1f4a1;&nbsp;<strong>Please note<\/strong>&nbsp;&#x1f4a1;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SHF classes are only open to horses registered in specific studbooks. In France, four studbooks are officially recognized by the SHF:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Selle Fran\u00e7ais Studbook<\/li><li>National Anglo-Arabian Association<\/li><li>Arabian Horse Association<\/li><li>French Federation of Ponies and Small Horses<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Within the French Federation of Ponies and Small Horses, the following breeds are included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Connemara \u2013 Criollo \u2013 Dartmoor \u2013 Fjord \u2013 Haflinger \u2013 Highland \u2013 Irish Cob \u2013 Icelandic \u2013 New Forest \u2013 French Riding Pony \u2013 Shetland \u2013 Welsh<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Specific rules vary depending on each studbook. The table below summarizes the general information for three of them:&nbsp;<strong>Selle Fran\u00e7ais, Anglo-Arabian, and Pony<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Les inscriptions au stud-book fran\u00e7ais du cheval Arabe se faisant au titre de l&#8217;ascendance ou au titre de l&#8217;importation, nous ne les avons pas inclus dans ce tableau.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span id=\"III-From-0-to-3-Years-Old-SHF-Breeding-Classes\">III. From 0 to 3 Years Old: SHF Breeding Classes<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are specific rules depending on each studbook. The table below summarizes general information for three studbooks:&nbsp;<strong>Selle Fran\u00e7ais, Anglo-Arabian, and Pony<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/SB-1599-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32884\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/SB-1599-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/SB-1599-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/SB-1599-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/SB-1599-1-405x270.jpg 405w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/SB-1599-1-850x567.jpg 850w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2><span id=\"IV-From-4-to-6-years-old-SHF-and-FFE-Classes\">IV. From 4 to 6 years old: SHF and FFE Classes<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In this age category, horses can now compete not only in SHF classes but also in FFE competitions. Altogether, these classes cover seven disciplines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dressage &#8211; Show Jumping &#8211; Eventing &#8211; Style Hunter &#8211; Endurance &#8211; Driving &#8211; PRATIC<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Within the SHF 4\u20136-year-old horse circuit, there are several categories:\u00a0<strong>Classic Cycles (CC)<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>Free Cycles (FC)<\/strong>. The so-called \u201ctraining\u201d classes are part of the Classic Cycle category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>May be interesting<\/p><cite><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shf.eu\/fr\/valorisation\/informations-documents\/dressage-chevaux\/protocoles.html\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.shf.eu\/fr\/valorisation\/informations-documents\/dressage-chevaux\/protocoles.html\">https:\/\/www.shf.eu\/fr\/valorisation\/informations-documents\/dressage-chevaux\/protocoles.html<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-text-align-right\"><p>Dressage<\/p><cite><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ffe.com\/pratiquer\/disciplines\/dressage\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.ffe.com\/pratiquer\/disciplines\/dressage\">https:\/\/www.ffe.com\/pratiquer\/disciplines\/dressage<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/SB-06907-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32705\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/SB-06907-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/SB-06907-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/SB-06907-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/SB-06907-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/SB-06907-405x270.jpg 405w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/SB-06907-850x567.jpg 850w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/SB-06907.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>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 \u201cPony E\u201d classes. These E classes also include other pony sizes when ridden by an adult rider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span id=\"IV-Riders-requirements\">IV. Riders requirements<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Not all classes are open to every level. The list below shows the minimum riding level required to participate in the corresponding classes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Preparatory Classes<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Level 2<\/li><li><strong>Club Classes<\/strong><ul><li>Club 4 &amp; 3 \u2013 Level 2<\/li><li>Club 2 \u2013 Level 3<\/li><li>Club 1 \u2013 Level 4<\/li><li>Club Elite \u2013 Level 6<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Pony Classes<\/strong><ul><li>Pony 4, 3 &amp; 2 and E3 \u2013 Level 2<\/li><li>Pony 1 &amp; Elite, As Pony 2C\/2D, and E2 &amp; E1 \u2013 Level 4<\/li><li>As Pony 1, As Pony Elite, and E Elite \u2013 Level 6<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Amateur \/ Instructor \/ Pro Classes<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Level 7<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><span id=\"V-Jump-heights-and-specifications\">V. Jump heights and specifications<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Jump heights and specifications are indicated in the following tables as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Show Jumping (CSO):<\/strong>\u00a0straight jump height &#8211; oxer height &#8211; minimum oxer width \/ maximum oxer width<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Eventing (CCE):<\/strong>\u00a0straight jump height &#8211; oxer height &#8211; minimum oxer width \/ maximum oxer width<br>Maximum number of efforts on the cross-country course, maximum height of fixed obstacles<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Free Cycles, Classic Cycles, Training Classes, Young Horse Circuits\u2026 When you own a young horse,&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/starting-competitions-with-a-young-horse-which-classes-to-try-first\/\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8760,"featured_media":33387,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[6180,6179],"tags":[6173],"yst_prominent_words":[1052],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33434"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8760"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33434"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33434\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33436,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33434\/revisions\/33436"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33387"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33434"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33434"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33434"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=33434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}