Quick Reference Guide
to Dressage Competition
EFAWA
303 Cathedral Avenue
BRIGADOON WA 6069
Phone: 9296 1200
PCAWA
303 Cathedral Avenue
BRIGADOON WA 6069
Phone: 9296 1500
www.wa.equestrian.org.au
2
Where to find out about upcoming events ......................................... 3
Some things you might need before you get started ......................... 3
Official dressage competitions ........................................................... 4
Performance card ................................................................................... 4
Bridle number (Competition number) ....................................................... 4
Entries ................................................................................................... 4
Types of entries...................................................................................... 5
The draw ............................................................................................... 6
Hors concors - HC ................................................................................... 6
Arriving at the ground ............................................................................. 7
Times .................................................................................................... 7
Saddlery .............................................................................................. 8
What to wear ......................................................................................... 8
Gear check ............................................................................................. 9
Tack not allowed at an event while riding (warm-up and competition) ....... 9
Tack allowed in warm up only ............................................................... 10
Tack not allowed while lungeing ............................................................ 10
Tack allowed while lungeing .................................................................. 10
The test ............................................................................................. 11
Errors of course or errors of test ............................................................ 11
Elimination ........................................................................................... 12
The warm up ..................................................................................... 13
Risk management ................................................................................. 14
Pony Club competitions …………………………………………………………..15
Protests ………………………………………………………………………… ………. 15
Presentations ………………………………………………………………….. 15
The Young Rider Squad would like to thank Wendy Hull and Wendy
Barker for their help in writing this book.
We would particularly like to thank Sharon Thomas
for her wonderful artwork.
All funds raised from the sale of this book go to the
Horseland EFA Young Rider Dressage Squad
© Wendy Barker & Wendy Hull 2006
This document is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part
may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from W Barker.
3
Where to find out about upcoming events
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EFAWA Website – Calendar of events
EFAWA weekly email blasts – register on website
EFAWA - Discipline Handbook
EFAWA – Collections magazine (quarterly publication)
PCAWA Website – Dates for your diary
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“Cavalletti” website – www.cavalletti.com.au
Saturday’s “West Australian” – Equestrian Notices, before the
sports pages
 “Hoofbeats” magazine
Some things you might need before you get started
 2004 EFA Dressage Rule Book – download from the EFAWA
website or purchase from EFAWA office. A list of updates is on
the website
o NB Section 15 - Notes for Competitors
 Current EFA Dressage Tests – download from the website or
purchase from EFAWA office
 Discipline Handbook – from the EFAWA office and some Saddlery
stores
 Current EFAWA membership
© Wendy Barker & Wendy Hull 2006
This document is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part
may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from W Barker.
4
Official dressage competitions
Where to
Find the
Info in the
Rule Book
To compete officially, both the horse and rider must be registered with
the Equestrian Federation of Australia, through the state branch. The
horse will be issued a Certificate of Registration, a Dressage Performance
Card, a Bridle Number and a page of ‘Sticker Labels’ that can be attached
to entry forms for competitions. The rider will be issued with a
Membership Card. These documents should be taken to each competition
as organisers may request them.
Performance card
A Performance Card is a record of points earned through placing at official
competitions The card is available from the EFAWA and forms can be
found on their website. The card stays with the horse for life. It is the
owner or rider’s responsibility to record points after each competition. The 2.4
points on the card are checked annually at the EFA office.
Bridle number (Competition number)
In official tests, your horse must wear two bridle numbers issued by the
2.2
EFAWA. This is your horse’s competition number for every official
competition and remains with it for life. This number must be attached to
both sides of either the bridle or saddlecloth for warm up and competition.
Entries
Official entry forms should be used for dressage competitions. The official EFAWA
Handbook
form can be found in the EFAWA Handbook, the EFAWA web site
EFAWA or
(www.efawa.com.au) or the EFA National web site
EFA
(www.equestrian.org.au).
National
website
Entries will close some time before the competition date. As a rule, for
major competitions close of entries will be weeks 4-6 weeks before. Major
events may have a special form.
© Wendy Barker & Wendy Hull 2006
This document is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part
may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from W Barker.
5
Types of entries
Official – owner and rider must be EFA members and horse must be EFA
2.2.2/2.2.3
registered and has a current dressage performance card.
Young Rider – rider who will turn 16 in that calendar year until the end
Section 5
Junior - rider who is 12 years or over and under 21 on a horse over
Section 7
of the calendar year in which they turn 21, riding a horse over 14.2hh.
The horse must have a current performance card.
14.2h. The horse must have a current performance card.
National Pony Competition – rider over the age of 10 yrs on a pony
under 14.2hh. Ponies must have a current height certificate. The pony
must have a current pony performance card.
Associate – rider must be an EFA member of at least Associate level, or
a member of the club holding the event.
© Wendy Barker & Wendy Hull 2006
This document is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part
may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from W Barker.
2.10
6
The draw
Times for your tests may be:
 Posted to you
 Posted on a website
 Or available by phoning the organisers
The draw is usually several days before the competition. It helps to take
a copy of the draw to the competition, alternatively some clubs provide
programs at the venue.
Packing for competition
Make sure you take your bridle numbers, current membership card and
your horse’s performance card. A height certificate (for ponies) and a
birth certificate for younger riders may be required. Some clubs or
associations may require you to compete in an approved helmet, no
matter what age you are.
Withdrawing from a competition
If you are unable to compete, notify the organisers as soon as possible.
Another competitor may then be able to take your place. If you can
provide a medical or veterinary certificate, you may be eligible for a
refund.
Hors concours - HC
You may wish to participate in a class without gaining any further grading
points or you may wish to compete at a lower level than your horse is
graded at. If so, you should declare on the entry form or in writing, prior
to the start of a competition that you wish to compete HC. This means
that you & your horse will still gain experience, but you will not be eligible
for any prizes.
© Wendy Barker & Wendy Hull 2006
This document is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part
may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from W Barker.
2.13
7
Arriving at the ground
It helps to arrive at least 1.5 hrs before your first test. Your horse can
recover from any motion sickness (exhaust fumes in the float etc). You
can make your horse comfortable, report to the organisers, check for
scratchings and other changes in the program that may require you to
ride earlier than you expected. If you get there before the competition
starts you may be able to walk your horse on the grounds around the
outside of the arenas, check with the organisers first.
Check in at the office and show your relevant paperwork – membership
card, performance card, etc.
Times
You may be asked to ride earlier than you expect. If specific times for tests are
allotted, you do not have to ride your test until your allotted time but it will help
with the smooth running of the competition if you can. Many competitions are
run without allotted times, so organisers & judges aren’t kept waiting if horses
are scratched.
© Wendy Barker & Wendy Hull 2006
This document is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part
may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from W Barker.
15.12
8
Saddlery
Basic tack required for Preliminary to Elementary tests:
Bridle with snaffle bit and noseband, Dressage-type saddle (including allpurpose), girth, saddle cloth (white or cream), whip, spurs (optional).
Details and illustrations of bits, nosebands and spurs are provided in
Section 3 of the Rule Book.
Section 3
It is recommended that your horses be plaited for Official and Associate
competitions unless the organisers have stated otherwise.
Section 3
What to wear
3.1.1
For tests from Preliminary to Elementary you will need to wear white, offwhite, light canary or beige jodhpurs or breeches, a shirt with collar and
tie or stock or ratcatcher. You will need to wear a short coat or hacking
jacket, colour is unspecified but traditionally you would wear black or navy
and for riders under 18 years, approved safety headgear.
Riders over 18 years have the option to wear a hunt cap or bowler
although some organisations may require you to wear approved safety
headgear depending on their insurance obligations (check the program for
each competition). For this level of competition you can wear brown or
3.3
black riding boots, & they may be short or long boots. Smooth grain
3.4
leather gaiters with matching coloured short boots may be worn. Gloves
are required, black or light coloured would be most suitable.
Optional items include spurs, whip and/or monkey grip. The total length
of the whip, including flapper or tassel must not exceed 1.2m in length.
Horse and rider dressed for competition
acceptable for Preliminary to Elementary
© Wendy Barker & Wendy Hull 2006
This document is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part
may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from W Barker.
3.6
9
Horse and rider dressed for competition for
Medium
Gear check
2.3
You must have a gear check for each test. For EFA competitions this
will be done prior to the test. Make sure you and your horse are
correctly attired for the test before you present to be gear checked – ie
your jacket and gloves on, your girth checked, with any warm up gear
not allowed in the test (bandages, boots, martingales etc) removed.
The gear checker may call you, but it is your responsibility to make sure
that it is done. 10-15 minutes before your test is a good time. No
change of gear is allowed after the gear check.
Tack not allowed at an event while riding (warm-up and
competition)
May result in elimination
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Blinkers
Hoods
Bit guards
Running reins, bearing reins, balancing reins
Tongue ties
Stirrup tie downs
Any other equipment the ground jury determines is against the
principles of dressage (eg de Gogues, market harboroughs)
© Wendy Barker & Wendy Hull 2006
This document is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part
may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from W Barker.
10
Tack allowed in warm up only
Remove before your gear check
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Running martingales
Boots and bandages
Bell boots, ankle rings
Rubber over-boots (eg Easy Boot/Mac Boot)
Saddle covers
Ear muffs
Double bridle for Preliminary – Elementary horses
Tack not allowed while lungeing
 Running reins, bearing reins, balancing reins
 Chambon
 Pessoa
Tack allowed while lungeing
 Only one lunge rein may be used
 Two single direct side reins may be used
© Wendy Barker & Wendy Hull 2006
This document is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part
may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from W Barker.
11
The test
2.2.4
After the previous rider salutes and leaves the arena you may start
riding around the outside of the arena. As the judge completes the
collective marks for the previous competitor, don’t stand waiting near
the Judge – keep your horse moving, try to go around the arena in
both directions. Some Judges prefer you to report to them, but now
that horses have bridle numbers on both sides of the saddle cloth or 15.12.1
bridle you may not be expected to stop.
If you are riding out of order however, report to the judge to ensure
that she knows. If you don’t have numbers (ie for Pony Club or
Associate classes) the judge will want to check your name and your
horse’s name.
Once the centre line judge rings the bell (or uses car horn) you have
45 seconds to enter the arena.
1.11
You are only required to salute the centre line judge, put the reins in
one hand, (the one with the whip) drop the other hand by your side,
nod and continue on when ready.
15.12.2
You may have your test called for you, with the organiser’s
permission. The rules for this are found under Commanded Tests.
1.8
Make sure that any friends or family know that they must not call out 1.10
to you during a test. They need to be at least 10m & preferably 15m 1.16
15.14
(Rule 1.10) away from the arena whether spectating or using a
camera.
Errors of course or errors of test
If you make an error during your test try not to panic. The judge
may ring the bell, they may then help you find your place.
The first error in a test is penalised with 2 points subtracted from
your total score (not your percentage), the second error by 4 more
points. Unfortunately if you make a third error you will be
eliminated. If you are eliminated, the judge may or may not allow
you to continue the test. If they do not wish you to finish, you should
just nod to the judge and leave the arena at walk.
© Wendy Barker & Wendy Hull 2006
This document is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part
may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from W Barker.
1.18
12
Elimination
There are a number of ways a competitor may be eliminated in a
test. The Judge may deal with elimination differently in different
circumstances. In some situations the combination may be allowed
to continue and complete the test, in others this will not occur.
The horse & rider will be asked to leave immediately if the horse or
rider’s welfare is at risk. The same may occur or if the competition is
running behind time, particularly if it is a major competition &/or
where times have been allotted. Some occasions where you would
be eliminated, and not allowed to continue are:
 As a result of a fall, a rider is in a semi-conscious or
unconscious state
 The horse shows marked lameness in different movements in
the test
 Fresh or dried blood is evident on the horse in the test
 Resistance that in the Judge’s opinion may endanger a rider,
horse, officials or the public will be eliminated for safety
reasons earlier than 20 seconds.
1.12
If you are not sure whether you should leave the arena after being
eliminated, ask the Chief Judge (at C) if you should continue. Some
occasions where you would be eliminated, but may be allowed to
continue are:
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Horse leaves the arena with all 4 feet at one time
Horse resists for more than 20 seconds
A third error of course
Unauthorised assistance
Failing to enter the arena within 45 seconds
 Gear you commence riding the test with is not permitted in a
test (eg bell boots, an ankle ring, etc)
You would not generally be eliminated if the following occurred:
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You fell off or dismounted
You dropped your whip, spectacles, a stirrup leather, etc
Your horse left the arena with 3 feet or less
Your horse knocked part of the arena down
Horse enters the arena at the wrong pace or gait (eg canter
instead of trot)
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Your horse showed some unlevelness on eg left turns only
Your horse resisted for about 10 seconds then continues in a safe
manner
You used your voice in the test
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© Wendy Barker & Wendy Hull 2006
This document is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part
may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from W Barker.
1.12
13
The warm up
The safety of riders & welfare of horses are paramount
When using the warm up area at a competition,
riders need to be aware that some horses may be
quite inexperienced and/or easily upset.
Riders must allow all competitors
the opportunity to give their horses
the best possible preparation for their tests.
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Keep out of the way of rider traffic when at halt, mounting,
dismounting, adjusting gear or chatting
The more progressive (faster) gait has priority both on the outer
track & in any figures ie
o Canter has priority over trot
o Trot has priority over walk
Riders should pass left shoulder to left shoulder
Counter canter has priority over all other gaits
Lateral work has priority over normal gaits
© Wendy Barker & Wendy Hull 2006
This document is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part
may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from W Barker.
14
Avoid
 Passing close to &/or heading straight at other horses
 Hitting your horse hard when close to other horses
 Accelerating rapidly when close to other horses
Risk management
 Horses which are upsetting others must leave the warm up area
 Officials may remove any horses which they consider dangerous,
or which may upset other horses
Lower level riders should not disturb
the warm-up of higher level riders
(Unwritten Ground Rule)
© Wendy Barker & Wendy Hull 2006
This document is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part
may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from W Barker.
15
Pony Club Competitions
Pony Club dressage competitions are run under EFA rules for dressage except
for the gearcheck which follows PCAWA guidelines.
Protests
Protests must be in writing, and made not later than 30 minutes after the
occurrence that gave rise to the protest. They must be accompanied by a
$100.00 deposit. It is always preferable to approach the organising committee
of an event directly, however if you wish to lodge a complaint about an EFA
dressage competition, it should be in writing to the Chair of Dressage WA, or
if it is a judging matter, the Chair of the Dressage Judges Taskforce in WA.
Presentations
Mounted – wear full competition attire and your horse should be presented
as for the test. The horse may wear white bandages.
Unmounted – you should wear full attire.
Unmounted with horse – you should wear full competition attire and your
horse should be unsaddled, in a bridle and otherwise presented as for the
test. The horse may wear white bandages.
© Wendy Barker & Wendy Hull 2006
This document is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part
may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from W Barker.
1.3