Please take a look at the attached file (which I will post at www.yahoogroups.com/group/USDFRegion4 under FILES > COMPETITIONS).  It will also be posted on the USDF web-site shortly. Some further explanation regarding what this represents from the working group (see listed below) which developed these levels follows.  You will notice that the Chairs of the USDF Competitors, TD, and Competition Management Councils, and Regional Championships Committee plus well known dressage enthusiasts with much experience have worked together to try to make these potential levels as fitting for the US dressage scene as possible.  Nothing is definite yet and your feedback is strongly encouraged.  Send any questions or feedback to standards@... starting tomorrow (January 9, 2009).  Hopes are that including Opportunity Classes will make the transition from schooling shows to licensed competitions easier and less expensive.  The goal is to increase participation in our wonderful sport. Feel free to discuss via this listserve, too.  Thank you!

 

 

"In 2006, the  USEF Board of Directors approved a rule change requiring "levels and  ratings" for Dressage Competitions.  The effective date has  been delayed until 12/1/09 to allow time for development of criteria and standards. The purpose of this rule change was to evaluate  competitions for re-licensing using appropriate and fair criteria  for each level and rating. [In other words, a small regional competition shouldn't have to meet the same criteria as a regional championship or a  high performance qualifying competition.] As the Dressage affiliate  organization of USEF, USDF was directed to propose criteria for Dressage  Competitions. Early in 2008, USDF appointed a working  group to develop a system for  dressage levels/ratings. The attached chart, recommending five levels of Dressage Competitions, was approved in principle by both the USDF Executive Board and USEF Dressage Committee at the recent USDF  annual convention. Now we are asking for your feedback in order to further refine the proposal.

The chart  lists five levels of Dressage Competitions, Levels Three through Five are already in existence and already require separate applications and criteria from USEF and/or USDF. Level two includes most of the current USEF-licensed/USDF-recognized Dressage Competitions. Level One would be a new, lower level of competition which we hope will encourage new competitions in areas which cannot currently afford to hold licensed competitions. The big incentive for Levels One and Two would be the introduction of Dressage "Opportunity" classes. Such classes would not require either USEF or USDF horse IDs or rider/owner memberships, however scores from these classes couldn't be used for national  awards.  

We look  forward to your questions and suggestions in order to improve our recommendations. Please respond by February 5, 2009.

The  Competition Ratings and Standards Working Group members are Janine Malone, Chair, George Williams, Kathie Moffitt, Veronica Holt, Janet Foy, Anneliese Vogt-Harber, Sally Chionsini, Lendon Gray, Mary Anne McPhail, and Debra Reinhardt"