A Guide to Dressage Shows
Entering and showing your horse dressage does not have be a complicated and intimidating process! These guidelines are designed to help you have an informed, fun, and rewarding showing experience.
Know your Organizations
The United States Equestrian Federation (or USEF) is the national organization that creates and enforces rules for all equine related disciplines as well as keeps results of all the shows. It is very important to know these rules if you plan to show dressage at any level. The rules are available online, but you will need to become a member of the USEF if you plan to qualify for national awards. Memberships are due annually, and in addition, your horse will need an annual or lifetime membership.
The California Dressage Society (or CDS) provides a wealth of information and learning opportunities such as awards programs, annual meetings and symposiums, amateur clinics, junior/young rider programs and more. As a member, you will receive the annual Omnibus, which lists all rated dressage shows in one book, and an informative monthly issue of "Dressage Letters", the official CDS newsletter. When you join CDS, you automatically receive a group membership for USDF.
The United States Dressage Federation (or USDF) provides national rider and horse awards, and other programs such as breed shows, junior/young rider programs, judges and instructor certifications and USDF University sessions. To qualify for year-end awards, a participating membership is required for the rider/owner and your horse will need a lifetime membership.
As a member you will receive an informative monthly issue of "USDF Connection", the official USDF newsletter, and a booklet of the current dressage tests.
Selecting a Dressage Show
Shows range greatly in their requirements, cost, and competitive levels so it is best speak with your trainer or instructor about which shows might be appropriate for you to start with.
- Schooling Shows (un-rated shows) have no membership requirements. They are usually run as a learning situation for horses and riders. Show attire can be less formal, costs will generally be less, and sometimes a more lenient application of the rules apply. Competition Clinics also fall into the schooling show category. You are asked to ride a test, then get helpful feedback from your judge and then have an opportunity to re-ride your test again. These shows are a wonderful introduction to showing dressage, without the pressures that the rated shows may cause to a novice horse or rider.
- CDS-rated shows (called one-star shows), are run under USEF rules. Showing in one star shows doesn't require all of the formality of national memberships. You will be eligible for CDS year-end awards and can qualify for the CDS championship show. CDS-rated shows vary from informal to quite formal. CDS membership is required for the rider and horse's owner or a non-member fee is assessed (only one fee if this is the same non-member person). This fee can be put towards a membership if you get a voucher from the show secretary. The fee is $10 for 2005.
- USDF/USEF/CDS shows (called 3-star) are often bigger shows in terms of cost and legal requirements. All USEF rules are strictly adhered to and membership with USEF is required as well as CDS memberships for riders and owners. (Non-member fees are allowed in lieu of membership but can add up quickly if going to several shows.) All horses must either have a USDF lifetime registration number (cost $65, can be ordered online, makes horse eligible for USDF awards program), or a USDF Horse ID number, which also is a lifetime number but does not increase horse's eligibility in any way. (USEF horse recording is only required if you wish to participate in USDF Qualifying classes.) Generally the level of competition is much higher at these events and for beginners, this might not be the best venue for starting out, but it's a great place to be a spectator, volunteer, and learn more about shows.
Locating Dressage Shows
- California Dressage Society Calendar or Omnibus
- United States Dressage Federation Calendar
- Equestrian publications like CDS Dressage Letters, Ride! Magazine, Equestrian Connection and others
- The Sacramento Area Equestrian Directory (listings for Sacramento and surrounding counties)
- BAEN - Bay Area Equestrian Network
Entering a Dressage Show
You will need an entry form for the show you have chosen. These may only be available from the show itself, such as schooling shows or special championship shows.
If you are a California Dressage Society member, you will get your book called the Omnibus that has most of the 1 and 3 star shows in California listed with all the entering details. Entry form blanks are provided for you to copy and keep on hand. The current forms are also always available on the CDS website or USDF website (3-star only) that you can download and print out at home. Instructions on how to fill out your entry form are there as well, so take the time to read them! It will save you much time and frustration later.
Closing Dates:
Make sure you know the closing date of your show. Dressage shows require advance planning in creating ride times for each entrant. Shows generally close (stop accepting entries) 7-28 days before the show date. The closer you get to the closing date, the greater chance the show will already be full and unable to accept your entry. Some shows may accept late entries sent in after the closing date if there is room, but you may be required to pay an additional late fee per test.
Most shows allow you to withdraw your entry without penalty or a small fee before the closing date so there is no reason not to enter early!
Be sure you know who is organizing the show. The show secretary is the one who receives the entry; this contact should be listed on the show information page. The secretary's address may be different than the facility at which the show is held, so if in doubt, make a call to make sure your entry is sent to the right place.
Entry Form Tips
It is critical to be clear on your entry form. It is handy to type out your information on the master entry form, make several copies, and then write in the tests and fees for each show. This will save you time and make filling out your entry quite easy and legible The following information is especially important, especially if you are competing at rated shows:
- Rider's name and contact info (phone, email, address)
- Horse's name
- Owner's name (if different from rider)
- Trainer's Name (often a confusing point, the "trainer" isn't who teaches you, its the person who is legally responsible for the welfare of the horse while at the show grounds. Usually, this is also the rider, although in the case of a junior rider, it needs to be the legal adult on the actual show grounds who is responsible for the horse)
- Coach's Name
All persons listed above must sign the release form. Make copies of your membership cards and horse's forms and don't forget to submit them with your entry! List your classes carefully. Write the level and test out to make sure you get the right one. Add up your fees, and bring a second check in case there are balances due. There is always a State Drug Fee, and different levels of shows have a myriad of other fees: any non-member fees, offices fees, haul-in fees, stabling fees, mandatory scholarship fees, etc. which are usually indicated on the entry form. Be sure to estimate how long it will take you to arrive at the grounds, and allow extra time in case your horse won't load, traffic, etc. Arrive well ahead of your first ride time to allow for parking, checking in and warming up. It is always a good idea to have a few minutes to locate the scoreboard, a water source and the restroom before your ride.
Hopefully, knowing the rules and better understanding the showing process will help you and your equine friend enjoy your showing experience, Good Luck!