Competition Managers New to Dressage Sport Horse Breeding FAQs
- I want to host a USDFBC qualifying competition. What does that entail?
- What paperwork do I need to submit to host USDFBC qualifying competition?
- Where do I find the guidelines and rules for USDFBC classes?
- Do the competition manager and the secretary have to be USDF members?
- The competition is recognized by USEF and USDF, what now?
- Can any USEF- licensed official judge USDFBC classes?
- After the competition, how long do I have to send USDF the competition results?
- Classes not part of the USDFBC Series but which are often held in conjunction with USDFBC classes:
- Is there one general scoresheet for these classes?
- Who do I contact at USDF with questions?
I want to host a USDFBC qualifying competition. What does that entail?
There are two options:
- Designate an already existing competition as a USDFBC qualifier
- Hold a stand-alone USDF qualifying competition
What paperwork do I need to submit to host USDFBC qualifying competition?
You must apply for competition recognition from USEF and USDF at least 60 days prior to the competition. USDF competition recognition must be made on the appropriate form via the USEF website or can be obtained by contacting USEF. Prior to the competition, you must also apply to host USDFBC Series classes. The competition manager must fill out the first of the application, and send this page to USDF along with the associated $75 fee.
Where do I find the guidelines and rules for USDFBC classes?
All rules for USEF-licensed/USDF-recognized competitions, including Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Classes, can be found in the USEF Rule Book. Guidelines and rules pertaining specifically to USDFBC classes can be found in the qualifying application, as well as the program’s rule document. Competitions must comply with all USEF standards and guidelines, as well as those detailed in the USDFBC program rules.
Do the competition manager and the secretary have to be USDF members?
Both the competition manager and secretary must have a current USDF Participating Membership (PM) or Group Membership (GM) at the time of the competition’s recognition and at the time of the competition.
The competition is recognized by USEF and USDF, what now?
The USDFBC qualifier or final will be listed on the USDF website under its respective series. It is the competition manager or secretary's job to send USDF a copy of the official prize list for review. There are certain items that are required for USDFBC qualifying or final competitions to include in their prize list. If the prize list is not received by USDF 30 days prior to the competition, a fee of up to $250 will be assessed. USDF will publish the competition dates and contact information on the USDF website dependent upon when an application is submitted. Any other advertising or marketing is up to the competition management.
Can any USEF- licensed official judge USDFBC classes?
No, the judge must be a USEF-licensed Dressage Sport Horse Breeding (DSHB) judge or a currently licensed foreign FEI Dressage judge with an USEF guest card or an approved Foreign Breeding Expert with a USEF guest card. All rules pertaining to USEF judges can be found in the USEF Rule Book. Please note that for USDFBC Series Finals Classes, two judges, one who must be a licensed “R” USEF DSHB judge, must judge each class individually. Winners will be decided by the average of all judges' scores.
After the competition, how long do I have to send USDF the competition results?
Complete competition results must be submitted to USDF in the required electronic format within 10 days of the last day of competition. Results must be sent electronically, and must be formatted according to the Electronic Result Submission Standard (ERSS). Refer to the USDF Competition Fee and Penalty Structure regarding late or incomplete results. Any competition-related payment must be accompanied by the USDF Report of Fees document. Competitions held in the last two weeks of September must have their results into the USDF office within three days of the last day of the dressage or dressage DSHB competition.
Classes not part of the USDFBC Series but which are often held in conjunction with USDFBC classes:
- Amateur or Junior/Young Rider Handler-class guidelines can be found on the USDF Amateur Handler Scoresheet
- Individual Breed Classes (IBCs)- these classes are open to individual breeds or breed registries only; geldings of any age are eligible to compete in IBC classes
- Dressage Sport Horse Under Saddle- general classes are 3 year old fillies, 3 year old colts and geldings, 4 year and older mares, and 4 year and older stallions. Classes for the same sex may be combined at management's discretion.
- Suitable to Become a Dressage Horse- Open to all horses that have not competed above 1st level and are under 7 years of age.
- 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. Separate classes may be held for Four-year-olds and Five-year-olds at the discretion of competition management. Classes for fillies and mares may not be combined with classes for colts, geldings or stallions except in materiale championship classes.
Is there one general scoresheet for these classes?
No, there are 11 USDF DSHB scoresheets. Each scoresheet must be used for the division it was intended. Sport Horse Prospects scoresheets must never be substituted for Breeding Stock scoresheets.
Who do I contact at USDF with questions?
For further information please contact USDF at sporthorse@usdf.org.
