Skip to Main Content

United States Dressage Federation

Horse Performance Certificates

USDF Horse Performance Certificates are based strictly on the scores a horse achieves over time and need not be earned in one year. These certificates may be earned at each level, Training through Grand Prix. See rules and requirements below or check for horse peformance certificates.

General Rules

  • Certificates may be earned at every level, Training through Grand Prix. Horse performance certificates can be earned for young horses competing in any USEF four-year-old young horse class, or FEI five- or six-year-old young horse class.
  • Must have ten scores of 60 percent or higher for Training through Grand Prix or 6.0 or higher for USEF or FEI young horse tests.
    • From four different judges
    • From four different competitions
    • Must include four from the highest test of the level
    • Score Equivalents:
      • FEI Pony Team Test = Second Level Test 4
      • FEI Pony Individual Test = Second Level Test 4
    • $25 fee for each level certified.

Eligibility

  • Horse must have a USDF Lifetime Horse Registration (LHR) when scores are earned.
  • Owner must have a USDF Participating Membership (PM) or Business Membership (BM) when scores are earned.
  • Rider must meet minimum competition eligibility requirements.
  • Memberships and horse registrations begin as of the date of application. When applying at a show, this date must be in accordance with USDF/USEF dressage division rules.

Recorded Scores

  • Scores can be earned with more than one rider.
  • Owner is personally responsible for submitting scores to USDF using a Performance Certificate Application
  • A copy of each test and/or a USDF score report must be submitted with each application. See forms & documents
  • Any score earned at a USDF-recognized/USEF-licensed competition in a regular USEF or FEI test may be used (Hors de concours scores do not count for any awards, and freestyle scores do not count for non-freestyle rider awards).
  • If two or more judges score one ride, the average of their scores counts as one score.

Award Year and Presentation

  • All ten scores should be submitted at one time. Scores are cumulative and need not be earned in one year.
  • Completed application and fee must be submitted by September 30 for inclusion in current award year.
  • Certificates are issued as received and verified by USDF.
  • Current owner of record must be on file with USDF by September 30 in order to be published as such in year-end award materials.

Return to Performance Awards