Five Gait and Pace Classes

All five gait classes start with the letter F followed by a number.

Some classes are ridden with other competitors on the track at the same time known as a group class (test), and others are ridden with a single competitor on the track known as a individual class (test)

Pace classes start with either P or PP followed by a number.

F1

Riders compete individually. The rider has four and a half rounds at their disposal to show the following gaits in any order:

  • Slow to medium speed tölt
  • Slow to medium speed trot
  • Medium walk
  • Slow to medium speed canter
  • Racing pace

Each gait may only be shown once. Walk for a half round. All other gaits for one round.  The racing pace is shown on the long sides only. 

 

F2

Riders compete in groups of up to three riders and show:

  • Slow to medium speed tölt
  • Slow to medium speed trot
  • Medium walk
  • Slow to medium speed canter
  • Pace

The horses may show pace 3 times on one long side. The riders choose the long side by majority vote.

 

F3 - 2025 Class

Riders compete in groups of up to three riders and show:

  • Slow to medium speed tölt
  • Slow to medium speed trot
  • Medium walk
  • Slow to medium speed canter
  • Pace

Pace is shown twice on one long side. The riders choose the long side by majority vote. A combination needs to show one half of a long side to get a mark.

 

P1 Pace 250m

This is conducted on a pace track. Up to four horses proceed to the start. Any rider may have two helpers. There will be two or four rounds all in all, but not more than two per day.

  • The beginning of each round must be declared by the judge controlling the time.
  • The ready-to-start must be declared by the judge supervising the starting procedure behind the starting line.
  • At the starter’s signal, the riders ride to the 50 m marker in any gait they wish. From there to the finish the horse must be in racing pace.
  • At the starting line the horse must stand quietly, straight and in the direction of the finish.
  • As soon as all horses are standing still and in the direction of the finish, the start can be signalled.
  • The starter gives a visual signal (two-coloured flag if possible). There is no acoustic (voice) signal.

 

P2 Speed Pass

SpeedPass: Pace Race 100m with flying start. This is conducted on a pace track, where there should be at least a stretch of 50m before the start of the timed stretch of 100m.

  • One horse at a time proceeds to the start.
  • At the starters’ signal, the rider rides to the start of the time stretch/starting line in any gait they wish.
  • On crossing the starting line, time keeping starts.
  • From there to the finish line the horse must be in racing pace.
  • There will be two rounds.

 

P3 Pace 150m

This test is conducted in the same way as P1 – Pace 250m

Combinations participating in this race are excluded from P1 at the same event.

There are some differences with judge placings for these differences please refer to:

www.feif.org/sport-dept/p3-pace-race-150m-2/

 

 

 

 

PP1

This is conducted on a pace track. Combinations participating in this race are excluded from PP2 and PP3 at the same event.

  • As soon as the starting flag is raised, the horse is ridden in walk, trot or tölt in a good balance to the funnel zone.
  • The horse enters a new zone when the first part of the horse breaks the dividing line between the zones.
  • When the horse enters the funnel-zone they should change the gait to canter from walk, tölt or trot.
  • For high marks to be given the horse has to perform like it is described above and to canter with agility through the whole 25m funnel before they make the transition into pace.
  • Between the 25 m mark and the 50 m mark (beginning of the timed stretch) change into racing pace.
  • On crossing the 50 m mark time keeping starts at a visual signal.
  • After the 150 m mark (end of the timed stretch) and before the end marker at 200 m, the horse has to have returned to tölt, trot or walk.
  • For high marks the horse shall have returned to walk.

 

PP2

This is conducted on a pace track. Combinations participating in this race are excluded from PP1 and PP3 at the same event.

  • As soon as the starting flag is raised, the horse is ridden in walk, trot or tölt in a good balance to the funnel zone.
  • The horse enters a new zone when the first part of the horse breaks the dividing line between the zones.
  • When the horse enters the funnel-zone they should change the gait to canter from walk, tölt or trot.
  • For high marks to be given the horse has to perform like it is described above and to canter with agility through the whole 25m funnel before they make  the transition into pace. 
  • Between the 25 m mark and the 50 m mark (beginning of the timed stretch) change into racing pace.
  • On crossing the 50 m mark time keeping starts at a visual signal.
  • After the 150 m mark (end of the timed stretch) and before the end marker at 200 m, the horse has to have returned to tölt, trot or walk.
  • For high marks the horse shall have returned to walk.

 

PP3

This is conducted on a pace track. Combinations participating in this race are excluded from PP1 and PP2 at the same event.

As soon as the speaker starts the test, the horse moves off at walk, trot or tölt.

Between the starting line and the 50 m mark, strike off in canter from any gait change into pace.

From 50 – 100 m mark the horse must show pace.

After the 100 m mark and before the end at 150 m, the horse must have returned to tölt or trot (not walk).

Horses can have two runs. The marks of the best run decide the placing.

 

Further descriptions of classes can be found on the FEIF website: www.feif.org/sport-dept/tests