USDF Announces Regional Schooling Show Awards Program

In a positive move recognizing the importance of schooling shows and the base of support for the sport of dressage among schooling show riders, the USDF recently announced a new Regional Schooling Show Awards Program.

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Edited from a press release.

The United States Dressage (USDF) is pleased to announce the new USDF Regional Schooling Show Awards Program. The program offers regional recognition to USDF Group Members participating in non-USEF-licensed, non-USDF-recognized competitions; the program will begin in the 2020 membership year and will operate within the standard membership year of December 1 – November 30. Four award divisions — open, junior/young rider, adult amateur, and non-professional — will be recognized per region. The open division will offer recognition at Training, First, Second, Third, Fourth, and FEI levels, the other divisions will offer additional recognition at the Introductory level.

Said USDF President Lisa Goretta, “this new program has been developed to recognize the achievement of USDF Group Members who choose to participate in schooling shows as their competition path.  It’ll give competitors confirmation of how they stack up against their peers within their USDF region. This will, in turn, strengthen the USDF’s Group Member Organizations by providing an additional exclusive benefit of membership! Schooling shows provide and promote dressage education for riders, USDF L graduates, licensed judges, and local competition management and show volunteers. We hope to welcome more members and competitors into the USDF community, while furthering our mission of recognizing achievements in dressage.”

A USDF Group Member is defined as an individual who is part of a USDF affiliated dressage club. Over 100 clubs are affiliated across the US; affiliated organizations are called Group Member Organizations (GMOs) and their membership rosters are submitted directly to the USDF. Joining a GMO automatically makes one a group member of the USDF, and eligible for the Regional Schooling Show Awards Program.

Competitors and competition management will be able to sign up to participate starting July 2019. Any unrecognized competition is eligible to participate; simply submit an application and fee to the USDF at least 30 days prior to the start of the competition. Competitors wishing to participate must be USDF Group Members and submit an online nomination application and fee for each horse and rider combination they wish to nominate. For more information, visit www.usdf.org or contact the USDF at [email protected].