For anyone who has already marked their calendars for the 2012 ODS League Show Year – the ODS Adult Team Competition has moved dates so that it will not conflict with the FVC Spring Fling Shows.

The new show dates will be April 28 & 29 and there are also new opening/closing dates for you to notate. Prize lists are almost ready – will be posted within the next few weeks.

Thank you! Visit www.oregondressage.com/showsandclinics.html for the full calendar.

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Hello ODS,

Ride times for this weekend’s ODS League Championship Show are now posted at www.foxvillage.com.

We still have holes in our volunteer schedule and would so appreciate your help! We need scribes, runners and some other volunteer positions to be filled.

Please check your ride times and then e-mail j-g.mccabe@juno.com with your available volunteer times and preferences.

Thank you so much – we look forward to seeing you at the show!

Gaye McCabe

(503) 378-0309

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It is with great regret that the Fort Vancouver Chapter of the Oregon Dressage Society announces that the 2011 Fort Vancouver Dressage Show, May 27-29, is cancelled. We understand that competitor’s have concerns over the recent EHV-1 cases affecting our horse community. We also recognize that many barns/stables have decided to take the preventive measure of a self imposed quarantine, thus keeping their horses home and not allowing ingress or egress at their facilities. With all this in mind, we have decided it is in the best interest of all concerned that the show not be held this year.

Unfortunately, when a show is cancelled several unavoidable expenses are still incurred. Since FVC did not have a specific policy for this occasion, we looked to our parent organization for guidance. ODS policy states, “In the event that an ODS owned show must be cancelled for reasons related to loss of facility, weather, or other natural causes, the amount of the loss ODS will sustain is divided by the number of entries. The dollar amount will be deducted from the refunds for each entry. (est. Aug 2007)”. After reviewing this policy and discussing it as a chapter, FVC has decided to charge the competitors the lesser amount, the $20 non-refundable office fee. While this will cost FVC a substantial amount of money, we feel in these difficult times it is important to give back to the dressage community and our competitors by sharing in these costs. Thank you for your patience and understanding in this cancelation. We hope you will join us next year for the 2012 Fort Vancouver Dressage Show and look forward to seeing you then.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact Rose Newman rose_newman@yahoo.com 360-281-6550.

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The USEF Executive Committee recently approved a round of changes, effective immediately, to multiple dressage rules that represent significant changes regarding judging and scoring for dressage. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with these changes by reviewing the 2011 Supplement to the Hard Copy Rulebook found here:

http://www.usef.org/documents/rules/ruleChanges/2011/ECapproved03212011.pdf

For additional information please contact Jeannie Putney, National Director of Dressage at (859) 225-6918 or jputney@usef.org.

United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. 4047 Iron Works Pkwy, Lexington, KY 40515 859-258-2472 webmaster@usef.org

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Protective Headgear Rules for Dressage

Effective March 1, 2011, the following rules apply to USEF Dressage Competitions and Regular Competitions holding Dressage classes.  Note: ODS League Show rules are currently being updated by the ODS League Show Committee and an e-mail will be sent out when the updates have been reviewed.

1. Riders under age 18 must wear protective headgear, as defined by DR120.5 and in compliance with GR801, at all times while mounted on the competition grounds. This includes non-competing riders as well as those competing at any level.
2. While on horses competing in national level tests (Fourth Level and below), riders must wear protective headgear as defined by DR120.5 and in compliance with GR801, at all times while mounted on the competition grounds. This includes non-competing riders on horses competing in national level tests.
3. While on horses competing in USEF or FEI Young Horse Tests, and FEI Junior Tests, riders must wear protective headgear as defined by DR120.5 and in compliance with GR801, at all times while mounted on the competition grounds.
4. All riders competing in Para-Equestrian tests must wear protective headgear at all times while mounted on the competition grounds. Riders who compete in PE tests must wear protective headgear on every horse they ride, no matter the level or test.
5. All riders of any age while on non-competing horses must wear protective headgear at all times while mounted on the competition grounds.
6. All riders under age 18 and all riders while on horses competing in national level tests, who choose to wear Armed Services or police uniform, must wear protective headgear as defined in DR120.5 and in compliance with GR801 at all times while mounted on the competition grounds. Riders age 18 and over who wear Armed Services or police uniform on horses that are competing only in FEI levels and tests at the Prix St. Georges level and above must wear either protective headgear or the appropriate military/police cap or hat for their branch of service.
7. When a horse is competing in both national and FEI levels or tests (e.g. Fourth Level and PSG), the rider must wear protective headgear at all times when mounted on that horse on the competition grounds and during all tests.
8. While on horses that are competing only in FEI levels and tests at the Prix St. Georges level and above (including FEI Young Rider Tests, the USEF Developing Prix St. Georges Test and the USEF Brentina Cup Test), riders age 18 and over are not required to wear protective headgear in warm up or during competition. However, these riders may wear protective headgear without penalty from the judge.
9. In FEI-recognized (CDI, CDI-Y, CDI-J, CDI-P, etc.) classes, FEI rules take precedence and protective headgear is permitted but not required.
10. All riders while on horses competing in national level classes such as Equitation, Materiale and DSHB Under Saddle are required to wear protective headgear at all times when mounted on the competition grounds.

Protective headgear is defined as a riding helmet which meets or exceeds ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)/SEI (Safety Equipment Institute) standards for equestrian use and carries the SEI tag. The headgear and harness must be secured and properly fitted. Any rider violating this rule at any time must immediately be prohibited from further riding until such headgear is properly in place.

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1. When do the new rules take effect for dressage “opportunity” classes?
   December 1, 2009, which is the official start of the 2010 USEF competition year. This date coincides with the effective date of the new “Levels” required for Dressage Competitions.
2. What types of competitions may offer these classes?
   Licensed Dressage Competitions and Regular/Local Competitions which are licensed to include an Open Dressage Division (open to all breeds) may offer a limited number of dressage “opportunity” classes, as described in Rule GR821. (See #4 below for the list of classes and tests that may be offered.)
3. So may a breed-restricted competition offer these classes?
   No, unless the competition is licensed to hold an open dressage division which is open to all breeds. This is because breed-restricted competitions are not required to meet any of the new dressage competition levels standards.
4. How do I know what type and how many dressage “opportunity” classes I can offer at my competition?
   The type and number of classes which may be offered is dependent upon the “level” of your competition. Only Level 1, 2, or 3 competitions may offer these classes (please refer to the published Dressage Levels chart on the USEF website and GR821).
   • A Level 1 Competition may offer two (2) tests, per level, per day, at Second Level and below. For instance, in a single day, a show could offer Training Level Test 1, Training Level Test 2, First Level Test 1, First Level Test 2, Second Level Test 1, and Second Level Test 2 as “opportunity” classes.
   • A Level 2 Competition may offer two (2) tests, per level, per day, at FIRST Level and below. For instance, in a single day, this show could offer Training Level Test 1, Training Level Test 2, First Level Test 1, and First Level Test 2 as “opportunity” classes.
   • A Level 3 Competition may offer two (2) tests per day at Training Level ONLY. For instance, in a single day, this show could offer Training Level Test 1 and Training Level Test 2 as “opportunity” classes.
   • A Level 4 or Level 5 Competition may not offer “opportunity” classes..

1. How do I list these classes in my prize list?
   Per Rule GR821.8, the list of “opportunity” classes offered must include “Opportunity” in the class name.
2. Can I offer Eventing Dressage Tests or other types of tests as “opportunity” classes?
   No, as indicated above and in the Dressage Levels Chart, only specific USEF Second Level, First Level, and Training Level Tests may be offered as “opportunity” classes.
3. Can I have an Opportunity Test of Choice class?
   No. Please see #5 & #6 above. Only specific tests may be offered.
4. What about Freestyles?
   Per Rule GR821.2e(3), Freestyles may not be offered as “opportunity” classes.
5. Can I offer one of these “opportunity” classes as restricted to Adult Amateurs?
   Yes, but per Rule GR821.5, if an “opportunity” class is restricted to Amateurs, then the rider must have an amateur status on file with USEF or pay the $30 non-member amateur card fee.
6. Who can judge these classes?
   USEF Rule GR821 states that any judge officiating at the competition may judge the “opportunity” classes. Since these classes may only be offered at Licensed Dressage Competitions and Regular/Local Competitions with Open Dressage Divisions, the judges would be USEF-Licensed “r”, “R”, “S” or FEI Dressage Judges.
7. What rules apply for these classes?
   Since these classes may only be offered at Licensed Dressage Competitions and Regular/Local Competitions with Open Dressage Divisions, all USEF Dressage Division (DR) rules apply, including dress and saddlery requirements, in addition to all applicable General Rules, such as Drugs & Medications (see #14, below).
8. What memberships are required for these classes?
   Per Rule GR821.2e(5), horses and riders competing in “opportunity” classes are exempt from USEF and USDF membership requirements, and do not have to pay non-member or HID fees. (In addition, USEF is working on a rule clarification to also specify that owners, trainers, and coaches are exempt from membership requirements.)
9. Can a horse and rider cross-enter into other dressage classes?
   Yes. Your prize list must state if “opportunity” riders/horses will be allowed to cross-enter into other recognized classes at your show. Please note, however, if a horse or rider enters other non-opportunity classes at your competition in which membership by participants is required, all USEF and USDF membership requirements apply for horse, rider, owner, trainer, etc. (See GR901.9 for more information.)
10. What about the USEF Drugs & Medications fee?
    Per Rule GR821.3 & .4, horses entered only in “opportunity” classes are exempt from the Federation fee, including the Drugs & Medications fee. However, horses entered in these classes are still subject to and must comply with all D&M rules and are subject to testing at your competition.
11. Do I submit results for these classes to USEF?
    As per Rule GR821.1, competitions must submit full results of all “opportunity” classes as required in Rule GR1214:
    • “Opportunity” must be listed in the class name in the results.
    • Full results are required – names of horses, riders, owners, and trainers are to be listed including addresses, placings and scores, eliminations, etc.
    • If they have them, horses and members with USEF numbers should be listed in the results. If membership or HID information is missing, please leave the USEF number field blank.
    • Section codes for submission of e-Results are as follows: Open Opportunity – 5702; Amateur Opportunity – 5703.

1. What about the USEF Post-Competition Report?
   Since “opportunity” classes are exempt from membership, non-member fees, Drugs & Med Fee and the Federation Fee, these classes are not reported on the Post Competition Report.
2. Can “opportunity” class results count towards USEF or USDF awards?
   No. Scores earned in dressage “opportunity” classes may not be used towards USEF or USDF awards or programs.

Still have questions? Please send your inquiry via e-mail to Jennifer Keeler,
USEF National Director of Dressage, at jkeeler@usef.org.