What’s Coming Up At The USDF Convention

Wednesday, Apr. 24, 2024

When it comes to dressage rule proposals for 2015—up for discussion at this week's U.S. Dressage Federation Annual Convention in Cambridge, Mass., before a vote at the U.S. Equestrian Federation Annual Meeting (Ky.) in January—there are only five of them, and none seem likely to incite much controversy. Think differently? Let us know in the comments.

The proposed rules are:

DR 121.4

PUBLISHED

December 3, 2014
9:33 am

WORDS BY

Lisa Slade

This year's USDF Convention will be held in Cambridge, Mass., Dec. 4-7. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

When it comes to dressage rule proposals for 2015—up for discussion at this week’s U.S. Dressage Federation Annual Convention in Cambridge, Mass., before a vote at the U.S. Equestrian Federation Annual Meeting (Ky.) in January—there are only five of them, and none seem likely to incite much controversy. Think differently? Let us know in the comments.

The proposed rules are:

DR 121.4

This rule would allow snaffles in qualifying classes for the Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships and for USEF Young Rider and Junior qualifying classes. Double bridles would remain mandatory at the championships themselves.

DR 127.5

This rule changes the wording slightly for USDF Regional Championships rules. Horses can no longer compete in a USDF Regional Championship at a certain level or at a lower level (that’s the new part) if they’ve received the minimum qualifying score or higher for that division and level in the championship test. This rule exempts horses competing at Grand Prix.

DR 133.2

This rule adds the language that one of two judges present at the USEF Dressage Seat Equitation semi-finals must have USEF Dressage Equitation certification.

DR 204.2

This rule would allow show managers to offer separate classes for 4-year-olds and 5-year-olds at their discretion. Currently the groupings go: 3-year-old fillies, 3-year-old colts and geldings, 4- and 5-year old mares, and 4- and 5-year-old stallions and geldings.

DR 210.5

This rule proposal concerns judging for dressage sport horse breeding classes at championships. It adds the language: In championship classes that are qualifying for the USDF Breeders Championship Series Finals, if all judge(s) for these championship classes have not judged all horses in their individual in-hand classes, the judge(s) must re-evaluate conformation in that championship class. The rule would also prohibit apprentice judging for the USDF Breeders Championship Series Finals classes.

And that’s all that’s on the docket for dressage in 2015. Check out all the proposed rule changes on the USEF website. Visit www.chronofhorse.com on Monday for a full update from the USDF Convention!