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United States Dressage Federation

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Adult Clinic FAQs

  1. What is the cost to audit a USDF Adult Clinic?
  2. Are USDF University Credits available for auditing this clinic?
  3. Do you need volunteers?
  4. Do I have to be a USDF Member to audit a USDF Adult Clinic?
  5. Is there an age requirement to audit a USDF Adult Clinic?
  6. What is the cost to ride in a USDF Adult Clinic?
  7. Do I have to be a USDF Member to be a rider in a USDF Adult Clinic?
  8. Is there an age requirement to be a rider in a USDF Adult clinic?
  9. Do I have to submit a DVD/VHS?
  10. What should be in my DVD/VHS?
  11. Who selects the riders and how is it done?
  12. What are you looking for in a clinic rider?
  13. I don't compete, what are my chances of being accepted as a clinic rider?
  14. I don't have a trainer, what are my chances of being accepted as a clinic rider?
  15. My horse is not a traditional “warmblood” type horse, what are my chances of being accepted?
  16. Who do I contact if I have questions about the USDF Adult Clinic Series?

What is the cost to audit a USDF Adult Clinic?

The cost to audit a USDF Adult clinic is $60 for both days and $35 for one day, if you pre-register by the indicated deadline AND you are a USDF Participating, Group or Intercollegiate/Interscholastic member. Registration for USDF non-members and walk-in registration is $80.00 for both days and $45.00 for one day.

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Are USDF University Credits available for auditing this clinic?

Yes, University Credits are available to riders and auditors. To be eligible to receive credit, you must be a current USDF Participating, Group or Intercollegiate/Interscholastic member. University credits are automatic for all riders and pre-registrants. Auditors will receive one (1) credit for each day of full day of attendance, for a maximum of two (2) credits.

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Do you need volunteers?

Volunteers may be needed. You will need to contact the organizer directly to inquire about volunteer opportunities.

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Do I have to be a USDF Member to audit a USDF Adult Clinic?

USDF Membership is not required to audit a USDF Adult Clinic.

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Is there an age requirement to audit a USDF Adult Clinic?

USDF Adult Clinics are open to auditors of all ages.

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What is the cost to ride in a USDF Adult Clinic?

The rider application fee is $250.00 and is payable to USDF. There may be additional onsite fees for stabling, bedding etc.

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Do I have to be a USDF Member to be a rider in a USDF Adult Clinic?

To be selected as a rider, you must be a USDF Participating, Group or Intercollegiate/Interscholastic member

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Is there an age requirement to be a rider in a USDF Adult clinic?

To be selected as a rider, you must be at least 22 years of age.

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Do I have to submit a DVD/VHS?

Submission of a DVD/VHS is not required, but riders submitting a DVD/VHS will receive preference over those who do not.

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What should be in my DVD/VHS?

You should refer the Rider Selection Guidelines to get an idea of what the Selection Committee prefers. The DVD/VHS should be short -- 5 to 8 minutes -- and should show you and your horse -- NOT an empty arena. Videos must be submitted on a full size VHS tape cassette.

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Who selects the riders and how is it done?

The selection committee consists of the regional director, the regional adult education coordinator and a knowledgeable third party designated by the regional director (for example, an experienced instructor, the host GMO president or the clinic organizer if no GMO is involved). They evaluate all the riders in a process set forth in the Rider Selection Guidelines.

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What are you looking for in a clinic rider?

You should keep in mind that this is an auditor based clinic and the clinician is primarily focused on the training of the horse. Towards that end, it is important that riders be ready and able to make corrections and perform the exercises as directed by the clinician consistent with the level of riding designated on the application, as the correction of the rider, including corrections to the seat and position, are often essential to improving the horse. This is not to say that each rider must have a "solid seat" or able to make all corrections immediately upon request, but it is to suggest that each rider should have a good basic seat with reasonably independent seat and hands, and the ability to demonstrate positive changes over the course of the clinic.

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I don't compete, what are my chances of being accepted as a clinic rider?

Riders and horses do not need to have a competitive history, either together or separately, in order to be considered.

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I don't have a trainer, what are my chances of being accepted as a clinic rider?

Riders should have a history of instruction with the horse they wish to ride in the clinic.

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My horse is not a traditional “warmblood” type horse, what are my chances of being accepted?

The committee looks for horses of various breeds, including traditional and non-traditional dressage horses. By presenting a broad selection of breeds, the auditors will see that classical training methods will have a positive effect on any type of horse.

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Who do I contact if I have questions about the USDF Adult Clinic Series?

If you have questions concerning the Adult Clinic Series, please contract the USDF website or the USDF Adult Clinic Liaison at 859-271-7877 or adultclinics@usdf.org