Dressage recognition with your Standardbred

Columbus, OH — In April, the USTA announced its renewed agreement with the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) as an All-Breeds Awards participating organization. With the show season in full swing, those that are showing Standardbreds in dressage may be eligible for even more awards through USDF and the USTA.

A Horse Performance Certificate can be earned once 10 scores have been earned at 60 percent or higher at any one level, from Training level on up. Scores can be earned over multiple competition years, with multiple riders, at any USEF-licensed/USDF-recognized competition. Once all required scores have been earned at a certain level, the application and $35 fee can be submitted online by Sept. 30 for inclusion in the current award year. More information about the Horse Performance Certificates can be found here.

The USDF Regional Schooling Show Awards Program recognizes those that compete in non-USEF-licensed/non-USDF-recognized competitions (for a list of qualifying competitions by state, click here). The open division recognizes six levels, starting with Training level, while junior/young rider, adult amateur and non-professional divisional recognition starts at the Introductory level. The rider must have a USDF Group Membership that is recorded by the Group Member Organization (GMO) at the time the scores are earned (for a list of GMOs, click here). The rider must submit a one-time yearly online nomination and $35 fee no later than 21 calendar days after the last day of the first competition to be used for score recognition. A minimum of five scores from three different judges at three different competitions must be earned during the program season, which is Dec. 1 through Nov. 30; scores from each competition must be submitted online within 21 days.

Complete USDF awards program rules are available in the USDF Member Guide.

To encourage Standardbred participation in these USDF awards programs, the owner/rider can apply for a clinic or trainer stipend (up to $200 per USDF award received) to use for further training and education in dressage. Once you have received an award (All-Breeds, Horse Performance Certificate or Schooling Show), complete this form and return to the USTA.

Since 1996, the Standardbred Equine Program has worked with owners of off-the-track Standardbreds to educate the general public about the many disciplines Standardbreds excel at once they are retired from racing. For more information about the SEP at the USTA, including the recently launched Standardbred Incentive Program, visit LifeAfterRacing.ustrotting.com.

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