The Equestrian Australia Dressage Committee (EADC) announced the introduction of 7-year old Young Horse Classes to the national competition from August 1, 2017.
The 7-YO classes are relatively new to the FEI Young Horse programme and 7YO classes have been held at select shows in Europe since 2016.
The recent 2017 CDI Bolesworth International Horse Show included a 7YO class and it was also a British Selection Trial for the FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Dressage Horses. Global Dressage icon Charlotte Dujardin won the Bolesworth CDI 7YO class with a Dutch Warmblood mare Florentina. And, last weekend Australian rider Rebecca Rooke won the 7YO class at the Pompadour CDI Young Horse in France on Muschamp Rap n Roll.
The addition of 7YO classes to the calendar now places Australian horses and riders on a level playing field with the rest of the International Young Horse community.
Highly respected FEI 5* Dressage and Young Horse Judge Susie Hoevenaars welcomed the decision.
“For our riders based here in Australia, and in Europe in particular, it will give access for their future Grand Prix partners to assessments. It will help determine whether they are on the correct training path or not and identify any weakness,” said Susie.
EADC Chair Prue Spurrett thanked the Equestrian Australia Board for agreeing to introduce the new class in time for the Horse’s Birthday on August 1.
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Link
Inaugural 7-year old Championship at 2016 World Young Horse Championships