V4 – Four-gait

V4 – Four-Gait

This test is performed preferably on the oval track.

Preliminary Round

The test is ridden groups of up to five riders preferably on the oval track. The horses show the four gaits as instructed by the speaker as described in S2.3.2. They ride on the rein as set in the starting list.

Sections:

  1. medium walk
  2. any speed tölt
  3. transition of walk/tölt and tölt to walk, separately ridden as instructed by the speaker

Change rein.

  1. slow to medium speed trot
  2. slow to medium speed canter; the start into canter and the stop after canter into walk is shown separately by each rider as instructed by the speaker

Final Round

The finalists show the required sections as instructed by the speaker as described in S2.3.2.

 

General remarks

The test is meant mostly to judge the style of riding and the seat of the rider and not mostly the gaits of the horse. What also matters is the harmony between rider and horse, the correctness of the performance and the obedience of the horse.

What is asked for:

Rider: Good seat, soft and sensitive handling of the reins, nearly invisible use of aids. Correct and quiet carrying out of the exercises, considerate behaviour towards the other riders.

The horse should be keen and relaxed in all gaits. Good composure, obedient in all exercises. Minor faults in the beat influence the marks only slightly as long as the riders’ aids are correct. The highness and width of the horse’s movements do not influence the marks awarded.

Finals and preliminary rounds with more than one horse on the track

The horses must enter the oval track at the speaker’s command on the rein on which the first section is begun (see S2.4). The riders spread themselves evenly around the oval track. The beginning and the end of each section is directed by the speaker.

During the intervals when the marks are being shown, the horses may only be ridden at walk. In order to spread out, the riders can circle at the request of the speaker, under supervision of the chief judge.

Exit via the gate of the oval track.

Left rein and right rein groups

In preliminary rounds with more than one horse on the track the riders may choose their starting rein when they enter the competition. Starting groups will be created based on the riders’ choice of rein.  When no preference is indicated, left rein is assumed to be the preference. Riders will start the preliminary on the rein specified in the starting order.

In finals, the majority of the riders determine the rein on which the first section is begun. In the event of a tie the vote of the preliminary round’s winner is doubled. If this does not break the tie, the decision is made by coin toss.

References in the text refer to the current version of the FEIF Rules and Regulations. Check the complete document for further details.