Potomac Valley Dressage Association

Rules, Rules, and More Rules

What I learned at my first USDF Convention about rules
Jan Denno

First I would like to thank the membership of our organization for giving me the opportunity to represent PVDA as a delegate to the USDF convention in Orlando, Florida from November 26 to December 2, 2007. It was a wonderful experience. What I learned at the convention will help me be a better show manager in the future, as well as a better competitor and a better horse owner.

I was asked to follow the discussions that centered on the rules and rules changes. I approached this thinking that discussions were centered on the USEF’s tome entitled PROPOSED RULE CHANGES. This oversized pamphlet landed in my mailbox in mid-October. I read through the 130 plus pages with an eye to what seemed to be important for dressage and what did not. While this gave me an understanding of some of the rules changes it did not prepare me for the reality of a convention. All kinds of things happen at a convention that will underscore which of those rules changes is really important. Another thing that can only occur at a convention is unexpected rule changes can come to the fore and overshadow the ones in the USEF document. This is what happened at the 2007 convention.

The most discussed rule change came from the USEF Dressage Committee. It was presented as a Performance Standards Proposal. Janet Foy, who chairs the Performance Standards Sub-Committee, is accepting comments on this proposal. The proposal is not written in stone and she welcomes comment on it. Her email is dressagejanet@att.net.

The committee would like to implement a system of rider qualifications that would apply to riders competing at Third level and above. The rider levels would be named Basic, Medium, Advanced, and International. Score would accumulate points.

In order for the qualifying points to be recorded, the rider must be a USDF Participating Member and a USEF Member at the time the points are earned. The rider must receive verification of Membership with membership numbers and cards from USDF/USEF before points can be accumulated. If the rider has been grandfathered into the system and plans to ride third level or above at a recognized show (USDF, USEF, or FEI) they must be a USDF Participating Member and a USEF Member in order to compete at those levels. A rider will need no qualification for Training through Second Level. To move from Second Level to Third/Fourth Level a rider will need twenty points from three different USEF judges. There will be no limit on points a rider can receive from any panel of 2, 3, or 5 judges. At least two of the tests used for points must be from Second Level Test Four. The remainder of the points may be from any Second Level Test. To move from Third/Fourth (Medium level) to Prix St. Georges/Intermediaire I (Advanced level), a rider will need ten points from three different judges. A panel of judges will count as one judge.  Finally to move from Advanced level to International level eight points from three different judges will be required. There are provisions for foreign riders.

There is an extensive grandfathering program. Judges are grandfathered, medalists who receive their medals before 2009 are grandfathered. There are many ways to be grandfathered but they will end November 30, 2009. So be aware of that date to ascertain grandfathered status.

The implementation timeline would begin if this plan is approved at the USEF Annual Meeting in Kentucky this January. So get your opinions in to Janet Foy and let your voice and ideas be heard.

There was a lot of discussion. People that like this proposal see it as a good thing for horses. They think that this change would keep a double bridle out of the hands of riders who do not know how to ride well enough to utilize a double. Others welcome the standards to strengthen the quality of the sport. They see it as a way of growing the spectator aspect of the sport by requiring better riding. Many judges and trainers saw this change as a way of protecting horses.

Some of those in opposition said that areas with large geographic challenges would be adversely affected. The requirement for Participating Membership in USDF was vehemently opposed by several individuals in leadership positions in Group Member Organizations (if you wonder what a GMO is PVDA is a GMO). Some GMO members opined that the Participating Membership requirement is an attack on the GMOs because it would hurt membership in the grassroots organizations. Many competitors thought that the number of points needed was too high. If you have been following my article and you have an opinion you need to email Janet Foy with your opinion. The USEF Annual Meeting is only one month away.  The initial proposal contained stilted and unclear language. It is being revised. 

There were a lot of other rules that could affect us. They were not the lightening rods that this proposed rule change proved to be. However, I will a few important ones.  Any USEF rule change can be commented on by using the website www.USEF.org.  The Board of Governors agreed to oppose rule change GR 1212.5A that would require two EMTs at a USEF recognized show. GR 119 is about exhibition classes or demonstrations. This rule change says that USEF dressage judges must judge Judges for Dressage exhibition classes. GR 203.7 Says at a dressage competition a person who joins is a member as soon as the show secretary signs and dates the application for membership. GR 215 says that In the case of multiple competitions under the same Licensee a separate policy number is not required for each competition.

 One sweeping change to dressage rules is DR 120.  This would alter the length of a whip from 110 cm to 120cm. This would increase the allowable length from 43.3 inches to 47.2 inches. DR 120.8 Allows spurs to have arms with rubber covers. DR 125.15 All Para-equestrian tests may be ridden in a standard arena. Finally there is a proposed change to the score needed for musical freestyle participation.  It is going up to 62% from its previous 58% and the freestyle committee supports this change. This change is DR 128.9. In the show manager’s committee report there was discussion about rule change DR134.  This change says that only a vet can determine a pony’s height if that pony’s height is challenged. The show management has to pay for that vet’s services.

So there are number of changes in rules that could have an impact on our showing, and our managing and our equipment.  There are avenues for you to make your opinion known.  Let people know if you have an opinion.