Schedule • Hobby Horsing • Tournament info & test details

Schedule: Hobby Horsing Tournament (02–03 May 2026) – Frankfurt am Main

Here you will find all important information about the event: venue, entry deadline, classes (Championship & open classes), preliminary timetable as well as detailed conditions for each class – including jump anchors so you can quickly jump to the right class description.

Date	02 and 03 May 2026
Venue	Sport and Leisure Center Kalbach Am Martinszehnten 5, 60437 Frankfurt am Main
Parking	There is a large parking lot next to the hall (free of charge). Overflow parking: Kalbach subway stop (within walking distance, free of charge). See parking note.
Organizer	DtHHV, German Hobby Horsing Association (registered non-profit)
Entry deadline	Championship classes: 13/03/2026 • Open classes: 29/03/2026
Contact	Tina Gardt by email: meisterschaft@dthhv.de • Phone: +49 170 – 35 098 75
Admission fee / day	Spectators aged 17+ €12, children up to 16 free. Participants free, one accompanying person per participant €6.

Classes

Class no.	Competition	Details	Age groups	Max. number of starters	Fee / start
1	Advanced Dressage Freestyle	Championship, incl. final	U12, U15, U21, U31, U99	20 per age group	€25
2	Style Jumping	Championship, incl. final	U12, U15, U21, U31, U99	20 per age group	€25
3	Speed Jumping	Championship, incl. final	U12, U15, U21, U31, U99	20 per age group	€25
4	Inclusion Competition	International + championship ranking	U9/U12, U15/U21, U31/U99	20 per age group	€15

Class no.	Competition	Details	Age groups	Max. number of starters	Fee / start
5	Gallop Race	International, incl. final	U9, U12, U15, U21, U31, U99	112	€15
6	Speed Jumping 40 cm	International	U9, U12, U15, U21, U31/U99	120	€15
7	Speed Jumping 70 cm	International	U12, U15, U21, U31/U99	100	€15
8	Speed Jumping 100 cm	International	U15, U21, U31/U99	50	€15
9	Hobby Horsing High Jump	International	U12, U15, U21, U31/U99	60	€15
10	Intermediate Dressage	International	U9, U12, U15, U21, U31/U99	65	€15
11	Dressage Battle	International	U12, U15, U21, U31/U99	8 per age group	€15
12	Ranch Riding	International	U9, U12, U15, U21, U31/U99	30	€15
13	Barrel Race	International	U9, U12, U15, U21, U31/U99	100	€15
14	Optimum Time Jumping	International	U9, U12, U15, U21, U31/U99	125	€15
15	Synchronized Jumping	International	U9, U12, U15, U21, U31, U99	15 teams	€20
16	Relay Jumping (50 cm)	International	U9+U12+U15, U21+U31/U99	12 teams	€25

Classes	Age groups
No. 1	U12, U15, U31
No. 2	U15, U21, U31
No. 3	U12, U99
No. 4	all age groups
No. 8	all age groups
No. 9	all age groups
No. 10	U9, U12, U15
No. 11	U21, U31/U99
No. 13	all age groups
No. 15	all age groups

Classes	Age groups
No. 1	U21, U99
No. 2	U12, U99
No. 3	U15, U21, U31
No. 5	all age groups
No. 6	all age groups
No. 7	all age groups
No. 10	U21, U31/U99
No. 11	U12, U15
No. 12	all age groups
No. 14	all age groups
No. 16	all age groups

General regulations

Age group classification: To compare participants fairly, all classes are divided into the following age groups:

U9	Birth years 2020–2018
U12	Birth years 2017–2015
U15	Birth years 2014–2012
U21	Birth years 2011–2006
U31	Birth years 2005–1996
U99	Birth year 1995 and older

Conditions for the classes

Class 1: Advanced Dressage Freestyle – German Championship, incl. final

Eligible to participate are hobby horsers in the age groups U12, U15, U21, U31 and U99 who have qualified in advance and can provide proof of a permanent residence in Germany or German citizenship.

Arena:

• 7 x 21 m for the age groups U15, U21, U31
• 7 x 14 m for the age groups U12, U99

Participants present a self-created dressage freestyle with matching music. Decorations on the hobby horse are permitted. A costume is not permitted.

The music must be uploaded online by 15/04/2026, labeled with name and age group. If the music is not uploaded in time, the hobby horser will be disqualified. Note: You will receive further details by email by the end of April at the latest.

The dressage freestyle is performed from memory. In both the freestyle and the final task, three independent judges will judge (chief judge at C, two additional judges at E and B).

Freestyle: There is a score sheet with a mark for individual required elements and additional judging criteria. There is an A score and a B score. A final score is calculated from these two scores.

Final task: There is a score sheet with a mark for individual sections of the task and additional judging criteria. A final score is calculated from these individual marks.

The five best participants per age group ride the prescribed task in the final. Starters in age group U12 may bring their own reader for the final task. The placing in this final determines the German Champion in this discipline.

Rules for the freestyle U12, U99:

• Arena: 7 x 14 m
• Duration 2 to 3 minutes. Time starts and ends with the salute; music may already be playing during the entry.

The freestyle must include all basic gaits and at least the following movements:

• Collection and extension in all three basic gaits
• Trot half-pass
• Flying changes every two strides
• Full canter pirouette
• Transition passage–piaffe

Rules for the freestyle U15, U21 and U31:

• Arena: 7 x 21 m
• Duration: 3 to 4 minutes. Time starts and ends with the salute; music may already be playing during the entry.

The freestyle must include all basic gaits and at least the following movements:

• Collection and extension in all three basic gaits
• Double canter pirouette
• Canter half-pass
• 5 steps passage – 5 steps rein back – 8 steps passage
• Flying changes stride to stride – canter pirouette – flying changes stride to stride
• Full piaffe pirouette
• Transition passage – extended trot

Class 1: Final task U12, U99 | Dressage arena 7 x 14 m

A X	Enter in collected canter Halt and salute
X C	Pick up right lead in collected tempo Right rein
B-X-E	Half volte right, half volte left Flying change at X
F-H	Change rein across the full arena Flying changes every two strides
C	Halt Five steps rein back, then move off in collected walk
M-K K	Change rein across the full arena in extended walk Collected walk
A D	Turn onto the center line Passage
X G	Piaffe five steps, then continue in passage Collected trot
C	Right rein
M-K K	Change rein across the full arena in extended trot Collected trot
F-E E-M	Half-pass left Half-pass right
C H-K	Collected walk Reduce and enlarge the arena
A	Pick up canter in collected tempo
F-M M	Extended canter Collected canter
C G	Turn onto the center line Canter pirouette left
X	Flying change
D A	Canter pirouette right Right rein
K-E-H H	Extended canter on the long side Collected canter
C-A	Serpentine through the arena, four loops Flying changes when crossing the center line
AX	Turn onto the center line Halt and salute

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Class 1: Final task U15, U21 and U31 | Dressage arena 7 x 21 m

A I	Enter in collected trot Halt and salute
I C	Pick up right lead in collected tempo Right rein
M-B-F F	Extended canter on the long side Collected canter
K-L L	Half-pass right Flying change
L-E E	Half-pass left Flying change
E-I I	Half-pass right Flying change
I-H H	Half-pass left Flying change
M-E E	Change rein across half the arena in extended walk Collected walk
V E-M	Turn on the haunches (pirouette turn) Half-pass right
C	Transition to collected trot
H-E E-F	Shoulder-in Half-pass left
K-E E-M	Shoulder-in Half-pass right
H-F F	Change rein across the full arena in extended trot Collected trot
A K	Halt. 5 steps rein back, then move off in passage Turn right
D F	Piaffe, seven steps, then continue in passage Turn left
P-R R	Extended trot Passage
M G	Turn left Piaffe, seven steps, then continue in passage
H C	Right rein Turn on the haunches, then continue in collected walk
H-B B	Change rein across half the arena in extended walk Collected walk
A K-X-M	Pick up canter in collected tempo Change rein across the full arena with flying changes every three strides
H-E-K K	Extended canter on the long side Collected canter
A D	Turn onto the center line Canter pirouette left
L-I G	Flying changes stride to stride, finish on the right lead Canter pirouette right
C	Right rein and serpentine through the arena, six loops With simple changes when crossing the center line
A-I I	Turn onto the center line Halt and salute

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Class 2: Style Jumping – German Championship, incl. final | Jumping arena 14 x 28 m

• Eligible to participate are hobby horsers in the age groups U12, U15, U21, U31 and U99 who have qualified in advance and can provide proof of a permanent residence in Germany or German citizenship.
• Eligible in Style Jumping 50 cm are the age groups U12 and U99; in Style Jumping 60 cm the age group U15; and in Style Jumping 70 cm the age groups U21 and U31.
• The spread (depth) of the oxers may be no more than half of the height.
• The course will not be announced in advance. A sketch will be posted on site and there will be a course walk. Jumps may not be jumped during the course walk.
• The five best participants in each eligible age group start in the final course. The placing of this final determines the German Champion.
• There is a score sheet with a mark between 0 and 10.

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Class 3: Speed Jumping – German Championship, incl. final | Jumping arena 14 x 28 m

• Eligible to participate are hobby horsers in the age groups U12, U15, U21, U31 and U99 who have qualified in advance and can provide proof of a permanent residence in Germany or German citizenship.
• Eligible in Speed Jumping 50 cm are the age groups U12 and U99; in Speed Jumping 60 cm the age group U15; and in Speed Jumping 70 cm the age groups U21 and U31.
• The course will not be announced in advance. A sketch will be posted on site and there will be a course walk. Jumps may not be jumped during the course walk.
• Timing starts and ends when crossing the start/finish line. Time is measured electronically using photocells.
• Judging is according to faults/time. The course must be ridden entirely in canter.

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Class 4: Inclusion Competition – international class + championship ranking

Eligible are the age groups U9, U12, U15, U21, U31 and U99 of all nations.

Start and finish lines will be marked barrier-free.

In addition, there will be a ranking for the German Championship (only participants with permanent residence in Germany or German citizenship).

There is a score sheet with points.

Task: Course with various obstacle stations

What does inclusion mean in Hobby Horsing?

Hobby Horsing should be possible for everyone – regardless of language, age or impairments. Inclusion means: one competition for everyone instead of separate divisions.

Scoring: Skills competition (not timed). Each obstacle earns points. Highest score wins.

• Helpers: allowed and not included in the scoring.
• The hobby horse must be carried throughout the competition; for wheelchair users: hobby horse in one hand, helper pushes.

Possible obstacles (pool):

• Slalom
• Open a rope gate, ride through, and close it
• Hit a ball into a goal using a bat
• Pole L or pole U
• Move an object from A to B
• Ring jousting (ring pick-up)
• Circle (volte) around a cone
• Can toss
• Rein back between two poles
• Feel/find an object (blindfolded)
• Carry a flag
• Barrier tape gate / under an obstacle
• Throw balls into a bucket
• Retrieve an object from a bucket of water (e.g., spoon)
• Potato race

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Class 5: Gallop Race – open, international class | Oval track

Eligible are the age groups U9, U12, U15, U21, U31 and U99 of all nations.

Oval track with a slight incline in the bends towards the outside lane.

Distance: U12 & U99: 50 m • U15, U21, U31: 100 m.

Heats per age group (depending on number of starters, possibly quarter-/semi-finals). Final: winners of heats/semi-finals per age group.

Continuous canter between start and finish; gait error (3 faulty steps in a row) → disqualification.

Leaving the track or obstructing others → elimination. Finish order is documented by video.

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Class 6: Speed Jumping 40 cm – open, international class | Jumping arena 14 x 28 m

Eligible: U9, U12, U15, U21, U31/U99 of all nations.

Important: Entering this class excludes classes 7 and/or 8. Also: participants in jumping classes 2 and/or 3 (age groups U15, U21, U31) may not enter class 6.

The course will not be announced in advance; sketch on site + course walk (without jumping the obstacles).

Timing by photocells; faults/time scoring; continuous canter.

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Class 7: Speed Jumping 70 cm – open, international class | Jumping arena 14 x 28 m

Eligible: U12, U15, U21, U31, U99 of all nations.

Important: Entering this class excludes class 6.

The course will not be announced in advance; sketch on site + course walk (without jumping the obstacles).

Timing by photocells; faults/time scoring; continuous canter.

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Class 8: Speed Jumping 100 cm – open, international class | Jumping arena 14 x 28 m

Eligible: U15, U21, U31/U99 of all nations.

Important: Entering this class excludes class 6.

The course will not be announced in advance; sketch on site + course walk (without jumping the obstacles).

Timing by photocells; faults/time scoring; continuous canter.

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Class 9: Hobby Horsing High Jump – open, international class

Eligible: U12, U15, U21, U31/U99 of all nations.

Only one obstacle, raised after each round. Starting height: 80 cm.

Increase: +5 cm up to 100 cm, then +3 cm, from 121 cm +1 cm.

2 attempts per round; 2 failed attempts → eliminated; placing is determined.

Starting height must be cleared; after that, the height may be chosen (inform the judge after the first jump, then it can no longer be changed).

Scored relative to body height; measured with shoes before the start; time will be published with the timetable.

One-handed rein handling with the stick hand is permitted.

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Class 10: Intermediate Dressage – open, international class | Dressage arena 7 x 14 m

Eligible: U9, U12, U15, U21, U31/U99 of all nations.

From memory; reader permitted. Score 0–10.

Class 10: Intermediate Dressage test

A X	Enter in working trot Halt and salute
X C	Proceed in working tempo Right rein
B	Circle
E X	Turn right Halt. 5 steps rein back, then halt
X B	Move off in medium walk Left rein
M-C-B	Turn about from the corner
B-E-B B	Pick up canter in working tempo and ride on the center circle Full circle
K-B B-C C	Change rein across half the arena without a canter change Counter-canter Flying change
E-X X	Medium walk and half volte left Full walk pirouette left, then half volte right
F	Proceed in working trot
K-X-M M	Change rein across the full arena in medium trot Working trot
C A	Serpentine through the arena, three loops Pick up canter in working tempo
F-B-M M	Medium canter on the long side Working canter
C X	Turn onto the center line Turn on the haunches
G	Halt and salute

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Class 11: Dressage Battle – open, international class | Dressage arena 7 x 14 m

Eligible: U12, U15, U21, U31/U99 of all nations.

From memory. Two participants ride simultaneously opposite each other. Starting direction is drawn by lot with the start lists. No score sheet; judges decide after each battle.

Class 11: Dressage Battle pattern

A	Enter in collected trot
X	Halt and salute (right rider: turn on the haunches)
X	Proceed in collected tempo
C / A	Right rein
M-E/ K-B	Change rein across half the arena
F-M/ H-K	Simple serpentine on the long side
E / B	Turn on the haunches, then continue in collected walk
B / E	Pick up canter in collected tempo
K-H/ M-F	Extended canter on the long side
H / F	Collected canter
B / E	Half canter pirouette, then flying change
E-F / B-H	Half-pass
F-A / H-C	Counter-canter
A / C	Collected walk
K-M / M-K	Change rein across the full arena in extended walk
M / K	Collected walk
C / A	Proceed in collected tempo
E / B	Circle
B-H / E-F	Half-pass
M-X-K / K-X-M	Change rein across the full arena in extended trot
K / M	Collected trot
B-E-B / E-B-E	Ride on the center circle
B / E	Full circle
C / A	Turn onto the center line
X	Halt (one rider: turn on the haunches), salute

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Class 12: Ranch Riding – open, international class | Arena 7 x 14 m

Eligible: U9, U12, U15, U21, U31, U99 of all nations.

From memory. DtHHV western rulebook (to be published by the end of February). Score sheet.

Gaits & maneuvers are judged (in addition to the basic gaits: Extended Trot & Extended Lope).

Class 12: Ranch Riding pattern

Trot
Walk into the pole square, stop
180-degree turn to the right, stop
Trot
Extended trot
Trot
Lope with lead change
Extended lope
Lope
Walk
Stop, back up
Finish

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Class 13: Barrel Race – open, international class

Eligible: U9, U12, U15, U21, U31, U99 of all nations.

Timing by photocells. DtHHV western rulebook (by end of February). Faults/time scoring, continuous canter.

Order: Cloverleaf (see illustration).

Barrels may be touched but must not be knocked over (knocking over → disqualification). Wrong order → disqualification.

Important: Stick stays between the legs. Reins in both hands. Loss/damage of the hobby horse → disqualification.

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Test 14: Ideal Time Jumping – open, international test | 50 cm |Jumping arena 14 × 28 m

Eligible: U9, U12, U15, U21, U31/U99 (all nationalities).

The course will not be published in advance. A course plan will be displayed on site and a course walk will take place. Jumping the obstacles during the course walk is not permitted.

Time starts and ends when crossing the start/finish line. Timing is carried out electronically using photocells.

Ideal time: 25 seconds.

Judging is based on the faults/time system. The course must be completed continuously at the canter.

The winner is the competitor who comes closest to the ideal time while remaining as faultless as possible.

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Test 15: Synchronised Jumping – open, international test | 50cm | Jumping arena 14 × 28 m

Eligible: U9, U12, U15, U21, U31 and U99 (all nationalities).

A team consists of two competitors. Teams start side by side.

The course will not be published in advance. A course plan will be displayed on site and a course walk will take place. Jumping the obstacles during the course walk is not permitted.

The aim is to complete the course as synchronously as possible.

Placings are decided by points. In the event of a tie, the number of 3-point scores is decisive, followed by 2-point scores, then 1-point scores.

• 3 points: very good synchronisation
• 2 points: slight irregularity
• 1 point: major synchronisation error (e.g. riding one behind the other)
• 0 points: knocked obstacle / clear deviation

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Test 16: Relay Jumping (50 cm) – open, international test | Jumping arena 14 × 28 m

Eligible: U9, U12, U15, U21, U31/U99 (all nationalities).

Height: 50 cm

A team consists of five competitors – one from each age group (U9, U12, U15, U21, U31 or U99).

The course will not be published in advance. A course plan will be displayed on site and a course walk will take place. Jumping the obstacles during the course walk is not permitted.

Time starts when the first competitor crosses the start line and ends when the last competitor of the team crosses the finish line.

Timing is carried out using photocells. Judging is based on faults/time. The course must be completed continuously at the canter.

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