Dressage Sport Horse Class Rules

Please read carefully before completing your entry form.

For a complete description of classes and other important information regarding participation in Dressage Sport Horse Breed Show classes, please refer to the 2007 USEF Rule Book Dressage Division. You may also access the Rule Book through the USEF website at www.USEF.org.

Individual Breed Classes

Judged using the Sport Horse Prospect criteria.

Scored: 60% Movement, 30% Conformation, 10% General Impressions.

Sport Pony Prospect and Breeding Stock

Judged for suitability to become a Dressage Sport Pony.

Scored: 60% Movement, 30% conformation, 10% General Impressions.

All ponies participating in a pony only restricted class must have a USEF Dressage Pony Measurement card, or a pony entered in the competition can be measured at the show. Please let the show office know not less than ten (10) days prior to the show if your pony needs to be measured.

Young Horse/Sport Horse Prospect Class

Judged for suitability to become a Competition Dressage Horse.

Scored: 60% Movement, 30% Conformation, 10% General Impression.

• Current year Fillies/Colts/Geldings – Judged as Dressage Sport Horse Prospect. May be shown with dam, but the dam is not judged.
• 1 yr old Fillies/Colts/Geldings – Judged as Dressage Sport Horse Prospects. May be shown in halter.
• 2 yr old Fillies/Colts/Geldings – Judged as Dressage Sport Horse Prospects. Bridles are mandatory.
• 3 yr old Fillies/Colts/Geldings – Judged as Dressage Sport Horse Prospects. Bridles are mandatory.
• Dressage Sport Horse Prospect Champion and Reserve – The first and second place winners to be shown in these classes. The winners are eligible for the USDFBC West Coast Series Final Championship to be held during the CDS Championship Show. Winners will receive a written invitation to participate in the Finals.

Mature Sport Horse Class

Judged for suitability to become Dressage Sport Horses.

Scored: 60% Movement, 30% Conformation, 10% General Impressions.

Mature Horse Breeding Stock

Judged for suitability to produce Dressage Sport Horses.
Scored: 50% Movement, 40% conformation, 10% General Impression.
Unsoundness may be penalized at the Judge’s discretion.

• Maiden or Yeld Mares 4 yrs & older – Mare not nursing or currently in foal, judged as Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Stock. Bridles are mandatory.
• Broodmares 4 yrs & older – Broodmare with or w/o foal at side judged as Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Stock. Mare only to be judged. Bridles are mandatory.
• Stallions 4 yrs & older – Ungelded male horses judged as Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Stock. Bridles are mandatory.
• Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Stock Champion and Reserve – 1 st and 2 nd place winners to be shown in these classes. The winners are eligible for the USDFBC West Coast Series Final Championship to be held during the CDS Championship Show. Winners will receive a written invitation to participate in the Finals.

Non-Championship Group Classes

Shown in-hand and to move at Judge’s discretion.
Entry fee is per group and not per horse.
Entries in Produce of Dam and Get of Sire must be made by the owner of the dam or sire, or with the written permission from the owner, in the name of that dam or sire.

Scored: 50% Movement, 40% Conformation, 10% General Impressions.

• Produce of Dam : 2-3 off-spring, with or w/o dam. Off-spring to be judged. Entered under dam’s name. Multiple ownership permitted. All horses must have been judged in their respective in-hand classes.
• Get of Sire : 2-3 off-spring with or w/o sire. Off-spring to be judged. Entered under sire’s name. Multiple ownership permitted. All horses must have been judged in their respective in-hand classes.
• Breeder’s Group : 2-3 horses of any age or sex, all bred by the exhibitor. All horses must have been judged in their respective classes.

Handler Class

• Horse or Pony shown in-hand on the triangle by an Amateur, Junior or Young Rider.
• Evaluated on presentation of the horse to the Judge, neatness and appearance of the handler and overall condition of the horse.
• Conformation of the horse will not be a determining factor and may not count more than 15%.

Materiale Class

• Horses will be evaluated under saddle at the walk, trot and canter in both directions of the arena.
• No more than six horses will be asked to canter at one time.
• 4 and 5 yr old horses may be asked to lengthen the stride at the trot and canter.
• Horses must be at least 36 months of age to participate in Materiale Classes.

Dressage Suitability Class

• Shown with light contact at the walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring.
• Judged on the quality of gaits, balance, presence and manners.
• Older horses may be asked to lengthen the stride at the trot – no more than 6 horses will be asked at one time.

Breed Show Class Procedures

ALL competitors are responsible for reading and understanding the U.S. Equestrian Dressage/Sport Horse Breeding Rules of the USA Dressage Division Rule Book.

Any horse entering the arena, whether being judged or not, must be controlled by a handler or handler’s assistant.

Championship Class Procedure—Horses with top scores may be recalled as a group for re-evaluation in compliance with USEF DR 210.5

The triangle measures approximately 30 meters on the long side and 22 meters on each of the short sides. When called by Ringmaster, present your horse to the Judge at “A” for conformation judging. Upon direction follow the procedure as diagramed below:

Stand horse at “A” for conformation judging.
Walk small triangle—A—B—C—A
Trot large Triangle—A—D—E—A
Leave judging arena promptly unless requested to do otherwise by judge.

BREED DIVISON RULES

• Braiding: Braiding is optional for all entries.
• Equipment & Turnout: In accordance with USEF Dressage Sport Horse Breed Rules
• No foal will be shown loose. All foals must be shown in-hand on the triangle.
• Horses 2 yrs & older must be shown in simple snaffle bridle.
• All Handlers and Assistant Handlers entering the competition ring must be identified with a wristband or other form of identification to ensure each individual has signed an entry form and/or separate Handler's/Assistant Handler Release Form. (USEF DR 205.) Assistant Handlers may not be Federation members and are exempt from non-member fee.
• Handlers may have one assistant, if necessary. Prior to entering the ring, all handlers and assistants must have, on file in the show secretary’s office, a Handler’s/Assistant release form. ANYONE HOLDING A HORSE WHILE IT IS BEING JUDGED, INCLUDING CALL– BACKS FOR PINNING, IS CONSIDERED A HANDLER AND MUST BE A USEF MEMBER OR PAY THE NON-MEMBER FEE.
• Behavior: A judge may excuse from the ring any unruly horse or one whose actions threaten to endanger other exhibitors or their entries. (USEF DR 207.1)