2003 Competition Requirements

New dressage tests for USDF Intro. and USAEq Training through Fourth Level. Only 45 seconds allowed after the judge's signal for entry into the dressage ring. Double bridles will be optional for Third Level. "BLM" qualifying classes will be designated as any class of the same Level/Test at a USAEq recognized show (such as Training Level Test 3 or First Level Test 3). Minimal score and class placing will still apply. Shows will be encouraged to split larger classes and in particular to put adult amateurs and junior riders together. New BLM Finals rule: Second through Fourth Level will be split into two divisions: riders who have NEVER competed at FEI level and riders who HAVE. Copies of any and all rule changes are available upon request by contacting Marie Murphy at (859) 225-6922 or email mmurphy@equestrian.org October 1, 2002, is the beginning of the USDF 2002-2003 competition year. This date also marks the beginning of a new competition requirement for USDF/USA Equestrian-recognized shows. Every owner, rider, and horse must have a number recorded with USDF. Exceptions are allowed for persons and horses competing in USDF Introductory Level tests, pas de deux, and quadrille classes; and assistant handlers in dressage sporthorse-breeding classes. Also exempt are persons and horses in leadline, walk-trot, and academy classes. Membership Requirements Current USDF participating, group, and intercollegiate/interscholastic members participating as owners and riders in USDF/USAEq recognized competitions must include a copy of their respective membership cards with their entry forms. Current Business membership numbers may be used for horse ownership only. If the owner or the rider is not a USDF member (in any one of these categories), he or she must obtain a USDF nonmember identification number (NID) card in order to compete in a USDF/USAEq recognized competition. There is no charge for an NID, and the USDF office will issue and mail an NID card. If the card is lost or stolen, a replacement card will be issued for a fee of $10. Please note that the NID is used for the purpose of compiling competition data for horses. It does not fulfill any requirements with respect to USDF awards eligibility. Similarly, holding a group or intercollegiate/interscholastic membership alone does not render you eligible to compete for USDF year-end awards or the ABIC/USDF Regional Dressage Championships or qualifying classes. Horse Requirements In order to compete at a USDF/USAEq recognized competition, a horse must have either USDF lifetime registration or a USDF horse identification number (HID). If a competitor arrives at the competition without either of these, they must submit an application and payment for an HID or a lifetime registration for your horse before their will be permitted to compete. Effective immediately, applying for a USDF lifetime horse registration at the competition will render a competitor eligible to compete in ABIC/USDF qualifying classes. Those planning to qualify for the ABIC/USDF Regional Championships must have applied for USDF lifetime horse registration before the competition or they must submit an application to the show secretary at the competition prior to riding in a qualifying class. If a competitor applies directly to USDF and does not receive the lifetime horse registration number from USDF before the competition, they must complete a USDF affidavit of lifetime horse registration or present a letter of verification from USDF of their horse's lifetime registration. In order to compete for USDF year-end awards, in ABIC/USDF Regional Dressage Championship qualifying classes, or Cosequin/USDF Breeders Championship Series Finals, a horse must be lifetime registered with USDF. Holding only an HID merely allows entry to classes that are not restricted to USDF lifetime-registered horses. If a horse is already USDF lifetime-registered, it does not also need an HID. Application Must Be Available at Competitions The forms to be available at competitions to obtain either a lifetime horse registration or an HID number have spaces for competition name and number, date, and signatures. These forms should not be submitted by individual competitors; only competition show secretaries are to submit those forms to USDF. Membership and Horse-Recording Affidavits If proper documentation for horse, owner, and rider cannot be presented to show management at the competition, a USDF affidavit form must be completed. The affidavit carries a fee of $5 per form; a horse may be included with a rider or owner on one form for one $5 fee. If the registration or membership cards are lost or stolen, a replacement card must be requested from USDF. The fee for replacement cards is $10. After the show, the competition secretary must submit all membership, lifetime horse registration, HID, and affidavit forms to the USDF office with the appropriate fees, along with show results, within ten days of the show's conclusion. Competitors will be able to view complete show results on the USDF Web site after the results have been entered into the USDF database. Reminder In order for scores earned at USDF/USAEq-recognized competitions to count toward USDF year-end awards; to compete in ABIC/USDF Regional Dressage Championships qualifying and championship classes; and to compete in Cosequin/USDF Breeders' Championships Series Finals classes, an application for USDF lifetime horse registration must be completed before competing. Horses with only an HID will not be eligible for year-end awards, and scores will not count for the above championships. Please contact the USDF Competitions Department at (859) 271-7895 with any questions.