Potomac Valley Dressage Association

The updated dressage score analysis study performed and complied by Yount, Diaz, and Johnston is available for your information.  The analysis is published in two sections: an Executive Summary and the Appendix, which contains the full statistical analyses. 

This analysis looks at more than 40,000 scores from 425 shows conducted in the March-August 2008 timeframe.  It identifies issues that will adversely impact individual riders who may attempt to meet the Performance Standards proposed in DR 119.3 and DR 135.

The key issues are:

·         There are insufficient numbers of low scoring rides to justify the economic impact of implementing a rule change that will affect 100% of the riders.

·         There are statistically significant differences among the USDF Regions, breeds of horses, and individual judges that are independent of rider skill but which will have impacts on a rider’s ability to meet the Performance Standard criteria. These differences raise a question of equity and the assumption of a level playing field.

·         The proposed Rider Qualification Test is an unknown at this time.  It will need to be verified and validated as a test instrument before there can be confidence that it accurately assesses a rider’s readiness to advance to 4^th level. 

·         A regression analysis of 3^rd level and 4^th level scores indicates that the current 3^rd Level Test 3 is not a very accurate predictor of 4^th Level skills.

We believe this analysis shows there are sufficient problems in the current US Dressage judging system that implementation of a Performance Standard will cause more issues than it solves, including causing many riders to drop-out of USEF licensed showing and perhaps out of GMO membership and volunteer participation. 

The Boards of Directors of USDF and USEF have stated they are in favor of these rule changes.  However, both organizations have mechanisms by which their members may raise objections and move for rule changes.

·         For USEF, the Rules Change page on the USEF website allows members to comment on individual rules. (See the article “How to Comment on the USEF Dressage Performance Standards Rule Change” on the PVDA website for specific instructions on this process.)

·         For USDF, Article XIV of the By-Laws allows at least 30% of the Participating Members or at least 20% of the Group Member Organizations to indicate to the Executive Board that an action be taken, or that an action be discontinued.

PVDA also has an updated survey question on its website, where members may provide feedback to the Board and convention delegates (see: Referendum on Rule Change ).

However you feel about this issue, we urge you to be actively involved in the decision process.  Please make comments to the USEF and use the PVDA survey to make your thoughts known.  This is a rule change that will have wide-ranging impacts on US Dressage; it requires careful consideration and discussion.