London Dressage Association

New Riders Guide (2008)

Hello and welcome to Dressage and the London Dressage Association. In this document you will find answers to those questions that all first time riders have. This document was written in 2008 and is due to be updated, but still useful and mostly current. Please note that this document does not replace a close reading of the Dressage Rule book. Indeed, the rule book and the steward are the final authorities on what is and is not allowed/required!

Equine Canada (or EC) --is the Governing Sport Body for Equestrian Sport in Canada. They write the rules, certify the judges and select our Olympic Teams. As of 2008, all competitors over the age of 10 will be required to hold an EC Sport License (Membership) to compete in a sanctioned event. Which one you purchase will depend on what level you are planning on showing. It will all be broken down in a chart a little later.

Equine Canada Horse Sport License (or Passport)—this document is required if you are showing at the Silver Level or above. The Horse Passport is used to identify horses in competition, track ownership, vaccinations and points earned. It is purchased through Equine Canada. If your horse already has a passport, all that you need to purchase is the yearly Horse License Sticker. This can be done on the same form as your Equine Canada Sport License. If you are purchasing a new Passport, the first yearly sticker is included in the purchase price.

Dressage Canada (DC)—is the division of EC that deals strictly with Dressage competitions. You may be required to have a DC membership, depending on the level of showing you choose. Holding a DC Membership allows you to gain points towards year-end DC awards. As well, you will receive a copy of the OMNIBUS (test booklet) when you join. Dressage Canada Memberships can be purchased at the same time as your EC Sport License or separately on their website.

Ontario Equestrian Federation (OEF) –is our Provincial Governing Body. Membership with the OEF is mandatory for all competitors regardless of division. Your Membership will also include Liability Insurance, a subscription to their magazine and various member benefits. Memberships can be purchase through their website or on the EC Sport License form on the Provincial Organization line. If you have already purchased your OEF, you just need to check the box that it has been purchased separately.

Canadian Dressage Owners and Riders Association (CADORA)—is a separate organization devoted to the domestic development of Dressage in Canada. It has division within its organization based on geographical location. The London Dressage Association is an Associate Club of CADORA Ontario. Membership is voluntary but qualifies you for year end awards, the receipt of the CADORA newsletter, the chance to participate in CADORA clinics and the CADORA OMNIBUS. CADORA Memberships can be purchased with your LDA Membership.

The London Dressage Association (LDA)—is our local club. Membership is voluntary but it qualifies you for our year-end awards, newsletter and clinics. Non-members are required to pay a ‘non-member’ fee with their entries.

The LDA is currently offering shows at the Bronze and Silver Equine Canada Levels. There are additional Gold and Platinum levels that are designated as National shows and are offered at other venues across the country.

Bronze (the former Primary Division)—this is a local club division geared towards newer riders and horses. The classes available are Walk/Trot, Training Level, First Level, Second Level and the corresponding Freestyles where available. LDA members will qualify for year-end awards in the Bronze Division.

Silver (The former Trillium Division)—this is a Provincial Division that has classes available from Training Level thru to Intermediare 2 (at most shows), along with the corresponding Freestyles. In addition to the LDA Year-end awards, there are Provincial Year-end awards as well as a Championship Show.

Here is the chart breaking down Membership Requirements. Dressage Canada Memberships are only mandatory for those individuals showing at the Gold Level and above.

Note: Amateur Status must be purchased and declared on Equine Canada Sport Licenses for those Adults who wish to do so.

For any help in filling in your membership forms do not hesitate to email Susan Thauer at Susan.thauer@rogers.co

Don’t worry, you do not need to go out and purchase special Dressage show clothes or new tack to participate!

A dark jacket, lighter coloured breeches, show shirt with a stock tie or choker and gloves in black or white. Long hair should be tied back or in a hair net.

For adults, hunt caps, bowlers or protective Headgear are all allowed in the show ring. NOTE: Only protective headgear is allowed in the warm-up ring for ALL riders. Juniors must wear protective headgear at all times while mounted.

Tall boots in black or brown are acceptable (even rubber ones are OK!) but juniors may wear short boots with jodhpurs.

In the case of inclement weather riders may elect to wear a warm or water-proof overcoat and hat cover. In extreme heat or humidity the judge may permit competitors to ride without jackets. Competitors must wear regulation hat and solid white long or short sleeved shirt.

Spurs must be made of metal. The shank must be either curved or straight pointing directly back from the centre of the spur when on the rider’s boot. The arms of the spur must be smooth. Metal spurs with round hard plastic knobs are allowed (impuls spur).

Crops must be at a maximum (including the lash) of 110cm for horses and 90cm for ponies.

Well fitting English saddle in either black or brown. Dressage, Close Contact, AP, even Jump saddles are OK. They may be leather or synthetic.

Well fitted English bridle with a regular cavesson, dropped noseband, flash, figure 8 or crescent noseband. Reins must be brown or black.

Be careful about your bit—only certain types are allowed in the dressage ring. Generally, a plain snaffle or jointed mouthpieces (French link) are permitted. Dr Bristol and twisted mouthpieces are prohibited. There is a great chart in the 2008 Equine Canada Dressage Rule book showing all permitted bits. If your bit is not listed, it is not permitted.

Your horse should be braided and clean. The type of braid is not important as hunter; button and running braids are all permitted.

Breastplates and girth covers are allowed as are fly veils and nose nets for ‘head shakers’

Ear plugs, blinkers, seat covers, bit guards, bit wraps, balancing reins or side reins are all prohibited.

Entry forms are available on our website. They are due to the scheduler NO LATER than 6:00pm the Friday 1 week BEFORE the competition. Exact entry deadlines will be published on the website as well.

You can mail your entry or send it by courier. If you are mailing it, give it lots of time to get there. Don’t mail it on a Wednesday and expect it to arrive on before the deadline. Many riders have been disappointed when their entries have arrived late.

Ride times are posted no earlier than the Tuesday before the show. You will see a link to them on our Website when they are posted.

We suggest that you arrive a minimum of 1 hr (even earlier if you can) before your first scheduled test. This will give you time to get registered and warmed up before you enter the ring.

Go to our registration desk beside the arena and take any copies of documents required. If you are showing in the Silver Division take your passport with you. You will be handed a competition number. This number must be returned at the end of your classes receive your tests. A $7.00 charge applies to lost numbers.

Place your competition number on the left side of your saddle pad. It must be on your horse at all times when mounted, even in the warm-up ring.

Proceed to the warm-up ring and get yourself and your horse loosened up. There will be a clock there displaying ‘show time’. Check the schedule sheets posted to confirm your ride time and which ring you are in. It is also a good idea to be aware of who is riding before you so that you are not rushed at the last minute.

If you would like to lunge, you must do so in the round pen behind the red barn. Please limit yourself to 20 minutes if others are waiting.

In the ring, be aware of your surroundings and give green horses and beginning riders the right of way. Pass left to left, keep slower work to the inside of the ring and ask your coach to stay outside or directly against the fence.

The announcer will call riders in the order of show. When your number is called for ‘On Deck’ you should get ready to leave the warm-up area and wait in the on deck area outside of the fenced area of the rings.

You do not have to show until your designated time. If the show is ahead of schedule and you are ready, you can show earlier than scheduled.

At this point you can enter the outer ring area (NOT INSIDE THE RING!) and warm up some more.

It is good courtesy to announce your rider number to the scribe as you pass the Judge’s booth. It is also a good idea to ask what the entry signal is, be it a bell or a whistle.

Go all the way around the perimeter if you can, to familiarize yourself (and your horse) with your surroundings.

Once the bell (or whistle) has rung, signaling you that the Judge is ready, you have 45 seconds to enter the ring and begin your test.

A reader is permitted at all shows except Championships. Readers must stand outside of the ring and typically stand at ‘E’ or ‘B’. Readers are not provided and must be arranged by you.

You can not change the fences in the ring. If the gate is open, it must remain open for all riders. If it is to be closed, a volunteer will be posted.

If you are a Silver Competitor: You must proceed directly to the Steward for you Tack Check. No one is allowed to remove anything from you or your horse prior to the tack check under penalty of elimination.

Results will be posted on the board beside the Registration area as they are available. Please do not bring horses to the scoring area as it can get quite congested.

At the end of your day, take your number back to the Registration Desk and pick up your tests, passport and any ribbons you have won.

Scratches: If you must scratch from a class or the competition, please call the show coordinator, or tell a fellow competitor or volunteer, to notify the secretary at the show. When the show is not notified, many volunteers will be looking for you. You may be refunded your entry fees (less the $10 administration fee). For your refund, the show coordinator must be notified by the Friday before the competition and a vet note must be submitted to the Treasurer (Susan Thauer) within 10 days of the competition.

Retiring from the ring: If your horse is misbehaving or comes up lame in the ring forcing you to retire, stop, face the judge and salute; then proceed to leave the ring.

People Areas: Walk your horse through these areas. There are a lot of non-horse people and children in these areas. If your horse makes a mess, please clean up after him/her.

We hope this answers most of your questions about our shows and that you will come out and have some fun.