USDF Breeders Championship Series for New Competitors FAQs
- What is the USDF Breeders Championship Series?
- What series do I live in?
- Do I have to compete in the series where I live?
- Age/sex eligibility for competing in USDFBC Series competitions
- Does my horse have to be breed registered to compete?
- Are ponies eligible to compete? Are mules eligible?
- Breeding status for competition purposes?
- Membership requirement to show in a qualifier
- Required memberships to show in a final
- How do I show my horse in Dressage Sport Horse Breeding (DSHB) classes?
- USDF Dressage Sport Horse Breeding (DSHB) Horse of the Year
- USDF All-breeds DSHB Awards
- What is materiale?
- USDF Materiale Horse of the Year
- Where can I get more information?
What is the USDF Breeders Championship Series?
The USDF Breeders Championship Series program is designed to promote breeders and showcase quality sport horses. Each series will consist of a minimum of three qualifying events in designated geographical areas of the United States, which lead to a final event in each series. Exhibitors compete at qualifying events for the champion and reserve champion filly, colt/gelding, mare and stallion. These horses are then invited to compete in each of their respective classes, in the final event of that series, which is where the USDF Breeders Championship Series Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Current Year Foal, Filly, Colt/Gelding, Mare, and Stallion will be determined. USDF Breeders Championship Series Final competitions will also hold Materiale Championship classes, where the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Three-Year-Old, Four-Year-Old, and Five-Year-Old will be determined.
What series do I live in?
Do I have to compete in the series where I live?
No, competitors do not have to compete in the Series where they live. Competitors may also attend the series final competition of their choice, regardless of where qualification was earned-for both in-hand and materiale championship classes. However, only a horse may be competed in only single series final competition in a competition year.
Age/sex eligibility for competing in USDFBC Series competitions:
Fillies and colts three years of age and under may only show as Sport Horse Prospects. Mares and stallions age four and over may only show in Breeding Stock classes. Geldings of any age may NOT show in Breeding Stock classes/categories. Geldings age three and under may only show in Sport Horse classes/categories.
Does my horse have to be breed registered to compete?
Any horse or pony may compete. There is no requirement to be "registered" except for the Individual Breed Classes (IBC's) which are often held in conjunction with the USDFBC Series classes but are not part of the USDFBC Series.
Are ponies eligible to compete? Are mules eligible?
A horse or pony of any height may compete. Mules are not eligible to compete.
Breeding status for competition purposes?
A mare's breeding status on January 1 will remain the same until December 31 of the same calendar year. (USEF DR 203.16) No geldings may compete in the USDF Breeders Championship classes for stallions even if they are gelded after qualifying for the finals and are breeding via frozen semen.
Membership requirements to show in a qualifier for In-Hand Classes
Owner: USDF Non-member Identification Number & fee*
Handler: Exempt
Horse: USDF Horse Identification Number* (HID)
*Minimum Membership Requirements
Membership requirements to qualify for Materiale Championship Classes
Owner: USDF Non-member Identification Number & fee*
Rider: USDF Participating Member
Horse: USDF Horse Identification Number* (HID)
*Minimum Membership Requirements
Required memberships to show in IN-HAND CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSES
Owner: USDF Non-member Identification Number & fee*
Handler: Exempt
Horse: USDF Horse Identification Number* (HID)
*Minimum Membership Requirements
Required memberships to show in MATERIALE CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSES
Owner: USDF Non-member Identification Number & fee*
Rider: USDF Participating Member
Horse: USDF Horse Identification Number* (HID)
*Minimum Membership Requirements
How do I show my horse in Dressage Sport Horse Breeding (DSHB) classes?
Horses must be shown individually on the triangle at the walk and trot and standing for conformation. Each horse must be evaluated in the same manner. Braiding is optional but bridles are mandatory on all horses age two or older. This includes non-competing mares accompanying a foal. No horse of any age may be shown loose. (USEF DR 209.4)
USDF Dressage Sport Horse Breeding (DSHB) Horse of the Year
To be eligible for DSHB HOY awards, the horse needs a minimum of three scores, awarded by three different judges, from three different USEF-licensed/USDF-recognized competitions, with a median score of 65% or higher. The horse must have a USDF Lifetime Horse Registration whenscores are earned, the owner must have a USDF Participating or Business membership when scores are earned, and there is no required membership for the handler. Scores must be from open in-hand or USDF Breeders Championship Series Final in-hand classes. Therefore, scores from other championship, amateur or junior/young rider handler, individual breed, group, or under saddle classes will not be counted. For more information and a complete list of guidelines see the current USDF Member Guide or on our performance awards section.
USDF All-breeds DSHB Awards
To be eligible for an All-Breeds DSHB Award, the horse must acquire a minimum of three scores, awarded by three different judges, from three different USEF-licensed/USDF-recognized competitions. They must have a median score of 65% or higher to qualify. The horse must have a USDF Lifetime Horse Registration when scores are earned, the owner must have a USDF Participating or Business Membership when scores are earned, and there is no required membership for the handler. Horses must meet all requirements of the All-Breeds Participating Organization. Horses with registry papers from more than one breed/performance registry may be declared for the USDF All-Breeds Awards Program with only one breed/performance registry at a time. Once an All-Breeds declaration has been made, it can only be changed by submitting the All-Breeds Awards Declaration Form, a copy of the new breed registry papers and the $50 declaration change fee by August 1 of the award year. For more information and a full description see the current USDF Member Guide or on our All-Breeds section.
What is materiale?
Horses entered in a materiale class will be ridden in a group and judged on movement, potential as a dressage horse, and an overall general impression. Movement, walk, trot, and canter should demonstrate purity and quality, and correctness. Movement at trot and canter should be big, light, and springy. Materiale classes may be offered in the following categories: three-year-old fillies, three-year-old colts and geldings, four-and-five-year-old mares, and four-and-five-year-old stallions and geldings. Classes for fillies and mares may not be combined with classes for colts, geldings or stallions, except in Materiale Championship classes (USEF DR204). Horses must be at least 36 months of age to participate in materiale classes. For competition purposes, the age of a horse is considered to be one-year-old on the first day of January following the actual date of foaling (USEF GR102).
USDF Materiale Horse of the Year:
To be eligible for Materiale HOY awards, the horse needs a minimum of three scores, from three different USEF-licensed/USDF-recognized competitions and awarded by three different judges, with a median score of 65% or higher to qualify. The horse must have a USDF Lifetime Horse Registration when scores are earned, rider must have a USDF Participating Membership when scores are earned, and the owner must have a USDF Participating or Business Membership when scores are earned. For more information see the current USDF Member Guide.
Where can I get more information?
All of this information and information on other USDF programs and awards are published in the USDF Member Guide. If you are not a Participating or Business member then visit the membership pages of www.usdf.org to see the benefits of these memberships and to fill out an online application. To inquire about the USDF Breeders Championship Series you can email sporthorse@usdf.org.
