Ride to Time
Ride to Time is an exciting equestrian discipline that teaches riders to accurately maintain a specific pace over a set distance - perfect for building skills used in eventing, showjumping, and even racing careers.
What is Ride to Time?
Ride to Time is a precision-based activity where horse-rider combinations complete a 1000m course at a controlled speed, striving to hit an exact optimum time using a metronome attached to their helmet. It’s inspired by the timing skills of jockeys and trackwork riders, emphasising safe, accurate pacing.
Unlike timed jumps in showjumping or cross-country, Ride to Time focuses solely on maintaining a consistent speed over flat ground, often at racecourses. Sessions are held within each zone at venues like Moonee Valley Racecourse, with opportunities for careers in racing as track riders or jockeys. Getting started involves club rallies with pace practice, progressing to zone qualifiers.
Skills you’ll learn
Ride to Time builds essential pacing and horsemanship skills in a supportive, educational environment.
These skills transfer to eventing (cross-country phases), showjumping (time faults), and general riding, aligning with Pony Club Australia Syllabus of Instruction.
Competition
Competitors ride individually in Maiden or Open grades over 1000m, with the closest to the optimum time winning (differences calculated in seconds/milliseconds). Events include zone qualifier series often hosted at local racecourses like Kilmore, Yarra Valley or Horsham, and the annual PCV State Ride to Time Championships (typically first Saturday in September at Moonee Valley Racing Club).
Each zone enters one combination per grade for states. Qualifying requires at least two successful qualifiers in the year, with a maximum of three 1000m rides per event (familiarisation, practice lap, qualification). Times are recorded precisely (e.g., 1:59:22). Riders are welcome to attend and potentially qualify for State in different zones, however their result in a different zone will not count towards the zone series overall winners. National pathways exist through Pony Club Australia.
Ride to Time is proudly sponsored by Racing Victoria.
Progression
Ride to Time uses two grades based on ability: Maiden (beginner-friendly, 120s optimum) and Open (advanced, 109s optimum, mandatory for riders with racing experience).
- Start with club training and supervised sessions (ungraded riders can’t compete but can train)
- Ask your District Commissioner (DC) to be graded for RTT
- Progress to zone qualifiers and series
- Achieve qualifications for State Championships (minimum two qualifiers, C Certificate required by August 1 unless exemption)
- Top performers may pursue racing industry roles
- Upgrades: Maiden state competitors within 2s of optimum move to Open; zone coaches recommend changes
Progression follows PCV grading guidelines and PCA Syllabus, with no limit on qualifiers entered. Riders can compete across zones if needed.
Ride to Time Rules
Effective from 2023; check ponyclubvic.org.au for 2026 updates or amendments. Follows PCA National Gear Rules, PCV Bylaws, and horse welfare policies. Key points: Gear checks mandatory, eliminations for abuse/lameness/falls, track inspections required, and results submitted within 48 hours.
Upcoming Ride to Time Events
FAQs
Maiden: 120 seconds over 1000m; Open: 109 seconds over 1000m.
Achieve at least two qualifying times in zone events during the year; must have C Certificate (or exempt). One combination per rider; zones submit results for verification.
Yes, start in Maiden grade after grading. Ungraded riders can train but not compete until assessed.
Standard PCA National Gear Rules apply; mandatory gear check before riding. No watches or timing aids allowed.
At racecourses/training tracks like Moonee Valley, Kilmore, Horsham – check JustGo for bookings.
