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Competitions Handbook

The guidelines published herein are effective October 1, 2007 unless otherwise specified at the time of their enactment and remain in effect except as superseded by guideline or policy changes enacted by the USDF Executive Board of by the USDF Board of Governors as published in The USDF Connection, the official publication of USDF.

The policy published in this document is subject to additions or revisions. Please check back often for any changes.

While every effort has been taken to avoid mistakes in this publication, the United States Dressage Federation Inc. assumes no liability to anyone for errors or omissions. Corrections are published in the USDF Connection and on this section of the USDF Web site.

Please direct comments and questions to comphandbook@usdf.org.

Sections

Chapter 1: USDF Mission Statement and Bylaws (PDF)

Chapter 2: USDF Policies and Procedures

1. General Information
2. General Policies and Procedures
3. Financial
4. Competitions
1. USEF/USDF Competition Licensing/Recognition
2. USEF/USDF Licensed Competition Reporting
3. USDF Regional Championships
4. USDF Breeders' Championship Series
5. Special USDF Classes, Tests, and Guidelines
6. Membership Requirements for USDF Licensed Competitions
7. Affidavits
8. USDF Competition Fee and Penalty Structure

Chapter 3: USDF Membership

1. USDF GMO Membership
2. USDF IMO Membership
3. USDF Participating Membership
4. USDF Business Membership
5. USDF Non-member
6. USDF Membership Education and Awards Eligibility Chart

Chapter 4: USDF Horse Registration

Chapter 5: Competition Recognition and Results (PDF) Updated 9/10/2008

Chapter 6: Conduct and Competition Standards of Licensed Competitions

1. USDF Regional Championships Rules - Updated 01/01/09 (PDF)
2. USDF Breeders Championship Series
1. Host site Guidelines - Updated 01/16/09 (PDF)
2. Rules - Updated 09/18/08 (PDF)
3. North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (PDF)
   

Chapter 7: USDF Team competitions

1. USDF Adult Team Competitions Guidelines and Procedures (PDF) (Effective 4/1/2009)
2. USDF Youth Regional Team Competitions Guidelines and Procedures (PDF) (Effective 4/1/2009)

Chapter 8: Special Tests and Guidelines

1. Musical Freestyle (PDF)
2. Pas de Deux (PDF)
3. Quadrille (PDF)
4. Classes for Ponies (PDF)
5. Adult Amateur or JR/YR Handler (PDF)
6. Individual Breed Classes (PDF)
7. Under saddle, misc. (PDF)
8. Management Guide to Hosting Para Equestrian (PE) Classes (PDF)
   

Appendices

• Appendix A: Competition Management Checklist (PDF) Updated 8/15/2008
• Appendix B: Entry Checklist (PDF) Updated 10/9/2008
• Appendix C: Technical Delegates’ Checklist (PDF) Updated 9/16/2008
• Appendix D: Dressage Protocol (PDF)
• Appendix E: Guide for Scribes (PDF)
• Appendix F: How to Set Up a Dressage Arena (PDF)
• Appendix G: Tests (on USDF CD - see store)
• Appendix H: USDF Statement on Animal Welfare (PDF)
• Appendix I: Glossary of Judging Terms, Foreign Terms, Freestyle and Quadrille Judging Terms
• Appendix J: Forms (See Show Management - Forms & Documents)
• Appendix K: Guide for Sport Horse Competitors (PDF)
• Appendix L: Membership Checklist for Competitive Riders (PDF)
• Appendix M: Membership Checklist for Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Classes (DSHB) (PDF)
• Appendix N: USDF Membership and Horse Registration Exception List (PDF)