Pilot KNHS: Dressage competitions for peers instead of pony categories

In April and May the KNHS is holding a pilot with dressage classes based on rider age in the regions of Brabant, Limburg and South Holland. The height of the pony does not matter, fun riding against peers all the more!

Why these new youth sections?

The goal is for children to ride with peers. They are at the same stage of learning and have the same motor skills that are appropriate for their age. Equestrian is the only sport where children work together with an animal. This requires quite a bit from a child, both physically and mentally. Each child develops in its own way and at its own pace. Playing sports with peers, together with responsible handling of the horse, forms the basis for learning to ride well. And it leads to more fun, according to research. The KNHS likes to take this into account in its competitive sport offerings.

What will change and what will not?

The sections are built around the age of the child and not the size of the pony. A small child of 12 years old on a C-pony can therefore compete against a taller child of 12 years old on an E-pony, for example. The classes B to Z2 will remain the same, children will continue to ride in the dressage class in which they are currently riding and victory points will count.

What categories are there?

In the pilot, we are testing these four sections.

• Youth Under 8 or JO8. Participation in this is possible for children aged 6 and 7.
• Youth under 12 or JO12. This section is for kids ages 8 through 11.
• Youth Under 15 or JO15. This allows children ages 12 through 14 to participate.
• Youth under 19 or JO19. This section is for youth ages 15 through 18.
• Participation in an age group is possible from the day the starting age is reached.

On which competitions will the pilot take place?

April 6, 2019 in Werkendam
April 7, 2019 in Kessel
April 27, 2019 in Leende
May 5, 2019 in Panningen
See how to register here

Continued

The KNHS will use four test competitions to properly monitor and evaluate this new format. If this turns out positively, more competition organizations that organize a pony competition from June 1 to mid-September 2019 can include these youth sections in dressage in the continuation of this pilot. To be continued, then.

For more information, visit: www.knhs.nl/jeugdrubrieken

Source: KNHS