National dressage competitions in the USA

[Ceredig]

Hi All,

I am a French dressage rider. I am participating to a friendly quiz contest about dressage, which has some questions about the differences between national dressage competitions in the USA and in France.

May I solicit your kind help?

I think I found some of the answers by reading through the USEF General and Dressage rules, and googling a bit, but I would be glad to get first-hand confirmation… and an answer for Statement B

Which of the following statements are true about the national dressage competitions in the United States?

A - A single judges is sufficient to judge a competition up to the Grand Prix level
> False
B - The refreshment bar does not serve any alcoholic beverage
> ???
C - Prize money is much higher than in France
> True (Eg: For the finals: $100 000 in the USA, 19 000€ in France)
D - There are no competition fees
> False
E - Each competition ring and each schooling and warmup area must be monitored by a steward
> True

Thanks in advance !
Ceredig

[joiedevie99]

Some of these are vague, but here’s what I’d say:

A: True, a single judge is sufficient to judge a national test up to GP. However, many qualifying classes and championships require multiple judges.

B: I’m not sure there is a rule for this, but I’ve purchased and consumed alcoholic beverages at shows before.

C: ?

D: False (hahaha, shows are expensive)

E: Yes, every warm-up and show ring must have a steward.

[lorilu]

Prize money? Where? LOL the only prize money I know of is at National Championships…

[Ceredig]

Thanks a lot for the answers

Yes indeed, questions lack accuracy…

For B, I had only found the following:
https://www.usdf.org/EduDocs/Competition/DressageProtocol.pdf

Which has the sentence:

The use of alcohol and drugs by people or on horses, has no place at an equestrian competition.

I was not too sure of what to make of it. But base on your feedback, I will answer “False”.

For C:
Sorry, I am not aware of how the competions are structured in the United States. Apart from the National Championships (which do have prize money), are there other national dressage competions (which don’t)? Or are these regional competions?

[ladyj79]

Most US dressage competitions dont offer prize money, which is very different from many euro national shows.

You probably would get called out for being drunk on your horse. Probably. But you probably would anywhere else as well. you can get a drink at many larger us shows, but unlike most euro shows, there isn’t a bar at the show grounds full time.

[lorilu]

@ladyj79

Most US dressage competitions dont offer prize money, which is very different from many euro national shows.

You probably would get called out for being drunk on your horse. Probably. But you probably would anywhere else as well. you can get a drink at many larger us shows, but unlike most euro shows, there isn’t a bar at the show grounds full time.

no you have to go over to the barns for that … LOL

[lorilu]

@Ceredig

Thanks a lot for the answers

Yes indeed, questions lack accuracy…

For B, I had only found the following:
https://www.usdf.org/EduDocs/Competition/DressageProtocol.pdf

Which has the sentence:

I was not too sure of what to make of it. But base on your feedback, I will answer “False”.

For C:
Sorry, I am not aware of how the competions are structured in the United States. Apart from the National Championships (which do have prize money), are there other national dressage competions (which don’t)? Or are these regional competions?

In the US, “Recognized” shows under USDF/USEF (not FEI CDIs etc) can offer tests from Intro through FEI, as well as various other classes. Earning qualifying scores at the Recognized Shows gets you a spot at the Regional Championships - we have 9 Regions. The Winners of those championship classes, along with some others who earn scores above a specific level, compete at the National Dressage Championship.

TO complicate things, USEF (the highest governing body for all equine sports in the US) also runs a “Championship” to which you must be invited. COmpletely different… and includes YOung HOrse and Children’s FEI classes…

[Ceredig]

@ladyj79

[…] but unlike most euro shows, there isn’t a bar at the show grounds full time.

So, how do you know where to look for your coach when you need him/her?

[Ceredig]

@lorilu

In the US, “Recognized” shows under USDF/USEF (not FEI CDIs etc) can offer tests from Intro through FEI, as well as various other classes. Earning qualifying scores at the Recognized Shows gets you a spot at the Regional Championships - we have 9 Regions. The Winners of those championship classes, along with some others who earn scores above a specific level, compete at the National Dressage Championship.

TO complicate things, USEF (the highest governing body for all equine sports in the US) also runs a “Championship” to which you must be invited. COmpletely different… and includes YOung HOrse and Children’s FEI classes…

Thanks for the explanation.