first published in the March 2021 Equiery

PVDA Creates Schooling Show Championship Competition
The Potomac Valley Dressage Association is piloting a Schooling Show Championship for Second Level and below this year. The championship show will be held in conjunction with the Chapter Challenge in November.

In order to qualify, riders must be PVDA members with scores from the Intro B/C and Tests 2/3 (for Training through Second levels) to count. Scores must be earned at PVDA schooling shows or PVDA Chapter shows.

At championships, riders will compete riding the Intro B test or Test 2 for the other levels. There will also be a Freestyle Championship class. More information can be found at pvda.org.

USDF Adds Regional Schooling Show Awards
The US Dressage Federation has launched a new awards program specifically for regional organizations that offer schooling shows. The program is meant to highlight success in dressage at the schooling show level within USDF group members.

Riders must have a USDF Group Membership that is recorded by the Group Member Organization at the time each score is earned. Scores can be earned in any USDF region from December 1 through November 30. Owners must have at least a USDF non-member number and the horse must have at least a USDF horse identification number at the time scores are earned.

Riders can change division status during the program year as the rider’s status will be determined at the end of the program year. It is up to the rider to submit scores to USDF online no later than 21 calendar days after the last day of each competition.

There is a yearly nomination fee of $35 per horse/rider combination.

USDF has broken the awards program into four divisions and seven levels. Divisions include Open, Junior/Young Rider, Adult Amateur and Non-Professional. The levels of competition are Introductory, (which is only open to Junior/Young Rider, Adult Amateur and Non-Professional divisions), Training, First, Second, Third, Fourth and FEI. The FEI level combines Prix St. Georges, Intermediate I, Intermediate II and Grand Prix scores.

Here in Maryland, the Potomac Valley Dressage Association has signed on to the program by nominating many of its schooling shows for 2021.

For more information and to register, please visit usdf.org and search for “USDF 2021 Regional Schooling Show Awards Program Rules” or click here!