Rider must have a USDF Group or Participating Membership (GM or PM) or pay the USDF non-member fee. Horse owner must meet minimum competition eligibility requirements. Horse must have either a USDF Horse Identification Number (HID) or a USDF Lifetime Horse Registration (LHR).

Rider must have a USDF Participating Membership (PM). Both the horse and horse owner must meet minimum competition requirements.

Borrowed horses are permitted in all Dressage Seat Equitation, USDF DSM Semi-Finals and USEF DSM Finals classes. A rider would be permitted to ride a different horse in each of the three phases of the DSM program. For DSM Semi-Final Classes and DSM Finals Classes, competitors must comply with all Championship rules pertaining to horses entered in Championship classes, including but not limited to the rule that only the rider entered in the Championship class may ride that horse. Borrowed horses that are only entered in open (i.e. non-Championship) classes at these shows are not subject to the one-rider restriction.

There are two age divisions in the DSM Semi-Finals and DSM Finals.

• 13 and under: A rider is eligible for the 13 and under Semi-Final class until the end of the calendar year in which he/she reaches the age of 13 (DR 133.2 (f)).
• 14 through 18: A rider is eligible for the 14 through 18 Semi-Final class from the beginning of the calendar year in which he/she reaches 14 until the end of the calendar year in which he/she reaches the age of 18 (DR 133.2 (f)).