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USDF Breeders' Championship Series for New Competitors FAQs

What is the USDF Breeders' Championship Series?
What series do I live in?
Do I have to compete in the series where I live?
What if my series does not host a final event?
Age/sex eligibility for competing in USDFBC Series competitions
Does my horse have to be breed registered to compete?
Are ponies eligible to compete? Are mules eligible?
Breeding status for competition purposes?
Membership requirement to show in a qualifer
Required memberships to show in a final
How do I show my horse in Dressage Sport Horse Breeding (DSHB) classes?
USDF Dressage Sport Horse Breeding (DSHB) Horse of the Year
USDF All-breeds DSHB Awards
What is materiale?
USDF Materiale Horse of the Year
Where can I get more information?

What is the USDF Breeders' Championship Series?

The USDFBC Series is a program designed to promote breeders and quality sport horses. The purpose is the evaluate potential, suitability, and qualities as a dressage sport horse or as dressage sport horse breeding stock. Each series will consist of at least three qualifying events in designated geographical areas of the United States, which will lead to a final event in each series. Exhibitors compete at qualifying events for the champion and reserve champion filly, colt/gelding, mare, and stallion. The Champions and Reserve horses will be invited to compete in the final event of that series, which is where the USDF Breeders' Championship Series Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Filly, Colt/Gelding, Mare, and Stallion will be determined. Grand Champions will receive an embroidered cooler, neck sash and plaque. Reserve Grand Champions will receive a neck sash and plaque. Horses must be shown individually on the triangle at the walk and trot and standing for conformation. See the full description in the current USDF Directory or on our competitions and championship programs section.

What series do I live in?

Series Map

Do I have to compete in the series where I live?

No, competitors do not have to compete in the Series where they live. However, they must qualify in the Series in which they wish to compete in the USDFBC Series Final. For example, anyone from any state can compete in the East Coast Series to be able to qualify for the East Coast Series Final.

What if my series does not host a final event?

If the Series in which a competitor qualifies does not host a USDFBC Series Final, the competitor can choose a Series that is hosting a Final Event and compete in the chosen Final without having to re-qualify in the new Series.

Age/sex eligibility for competing in USDFBC Series competitions:

Fillies and colts three years of age and under may only show as Sport Horse Prospects. Mares and stallions age four and over may only show in Breeding Stock classes. Geldings of any age may NOT show in breeding stock classes/categories. Geldings age three and under may only show in sport horse classes/categories.

Does my horse have to be breed registered to compete?

Any horse or pony may compete. There is no requirement to be "registered" except for the Individual Breed Classes (IBC's) which are often held in conjunction with the USDFBC Series classes but are not part of the USDFBC Series.

Are ponies eligible to compete? Are mules eligible?

A horse or pony of any height may compete. Mules are not eligible to compete.

Breeding status for competition purposes?

A mare's breeding status on January 1 will remain the same until December 31 of the same calendar year. (USEF DR 203.16) No geldings may compete in the USDF Breeders' Championship classes for stallions even if they are gelded after qualifying for the finals and are breeding via frozen semen.

Membership requirement to show in a qualifer

Owner: USDF Non-member Identification Number*
Handler: Exempt
Horse: USDF Horse Identification Number* (HID)
*Minimum Membership Requirements

Required memberships to show in a final

Owner: USDF Participating or Business Member
Handler: Exempt
Horse: USDF Lifetime Registration (LHR)

Note: If a horse qualifies at the same competition that hosts the Final, the owner may upgrade his/her USDF membership to Participating or Business, and upgrade the horse from "HID" to a Lifetime Registration prior to the Finals class.

How do I show my horse in Dressage Sport Horse Breeding (DSHB) classes?

Horses must be shown individually on the triangle at the walk and trot and stand for conformation. Each horse must be evaluated in the same manner. Braiding is optional but bridles are mandatory on all horses age two or older. This includes non-competing mares accompanying a foal. No horse of any age may be shown loose. (USEF DR 209.4)

Walk trot diagram 1

USDF Dressage Sport Horse Breeding (DSHB) Horse of the Year

To be eligible for DSHB HOY, the horse needs a minimum of three scores from at least two different judges, from at least three different USDF/USEF-recognized competitions, with a median score of 58% or higher. The horse must be lifetime registered with USDF when scores are earned, the owner must be a USDF participating or business member when scores are earned, and there is no required membership for the handler. Scores must be from open in-hand or USDF Breeders' Championship Series Final in-hand classes. Therefore, scores from other championship, amateur or junior/young rider handler, individual breed, group, or under saddle classes will not be counted. For more information and complete list of guidelines see the current USDF Directory or on our performance awards section.

USDF All-breeds DSHB Awards:

To be eligible for an All Breeds DSHB Award the horse must acquire a minimum of three scores from at least two different judges, from at least three different USDF/USEF-recognized competitions. They must earn a median score of 58% or higher to qualify. The horse must be lifetime registered with USDF when scores are earned, the owner must be a USDF participating or business member when scores are earned, and there is no required membership for the handler. Horses must meet all requirements of the participating breed organization. If the horse is life-registered with USDF in multiple registries/associations, the owner must notify USDF by October 1, 2004, of their choice of registry for the All Breeds awards program. Once a declaration has been made it may not be changed for the All Breeds program. The horse is eligible for the All-breeds awards based on the registry into which the foal is first registered. For more information and a full description see the current USDF Directory or on our All-breeds section.

What is materiale?

Materiale classes are not part of the USDFBC Series, but are often held in conjunction with the Series. Horses entered in a Materiale class will be ridden in a group and judged on movement, potential as a dressage horse, and an overall general impression. Movement, walk, trot, and canter, should demonstrate purity and quality, and correctness. Movement at trot and canter should be big, light, and springy. Materiale classes may be offered in the following categories: Three-year old Fillies, Three-year old Colts and Geldings, Four and Five-year old Mares, and Four and Five-year old Stallions and Geldings. Classes for fillies and mares may not be combined with classes for colts, geldings, or stallions. (USEF DR 133.1) Horses must be at least 36 months of age to participate in Materiale Classes. For competition purposes, the age of a horse is considered to be one-year old on the first day of January following the actual date of foaling. A sample score sheet can be seen in the current USDF Directory. Also, see the competition handbook.

USDF Materiale Horse of the Year:

To be eligible for Materiale HOY, the horse needs a minimum of three scores, from three different USDF/USEF-recognized competitions with a median score of 58% or higher to qualify. The horse must be lifetime registered with USDF when scores are earned, rider must be a USDF participating member when scores are earned, and the owner must be a USDF participating or business member when scores are earned. For more information see the current USDF Directory. Also, see the competition handbook.

Where can I get more information?

If you are a USDF Participating or Business Member then you have already received a current USDF Directory. All of this information and information on other USDF programs and awards are published in the Directory. If you are not a Participating or Business member then visit the membership pages of www.usdf.org to see the benefits of these memberships and to fill out an online application. To inquire about the USDF Breeders' Championship Series you can e-mail sporthorse@usdf.org. You can also take a look at the competition handbook.

United States Dressage Federation