Competition & Awards

 The United States Dressage Federation (USDF), The Dressage Company, and the Neighbors in our Network offer recognized and schooling dressage shows for riders at all levels. By taking part in these local and regional competitions, you can make new horse friends, have fun and gain helpful insights to improve your riding. You can also win awards as a rider and as a horse-and-rider team. 

How to Earn Show, Series and Year End Awards

You can win ribbons and prizes at individual schooling and USDF-recognized shows. Some Neighbors in our Network also offer additional prizes for riders who compete in a series of shows. The scores you earn during the competition year can also qualify you for year end awards from The Dressage Company and some of the Neighbors in our Network.

Every competition has its own entry rules! Visit the show sponsor’s website for entry forms and rules. Follow them carefully to be sure your rides qualify for the show, the series or the year end awards you are working toward.

How to Qualify for The Dressage Company Year End Awards 

1. Make sure you are a current member of The Dressage Company.  

2.  Register before your first show in a new competition year. Register yourself and each horse you plan to compete as a separate horse/rider combination. Specify the level(s) you will ride and whether you are a junior or senior rider. You may ride as an amateur and compete only with other amateurs. You may ride “open,” meaning you may compete with professionals as well as amateurs. Scores earned before you register will not qualify for year end awards. See the Year End Award Rules and registration form on the Forms & Documents page.

3.  Confirm the judge at each show is qualified. Your rides will qualify for year end awards only if the judge scoring your ride is a USDF (“L” graduate or higher) judge or a USEF (“r” Eventing or higher) judge. The show entry form will indicate the judge’s credentials.

4. Earn at least five Dressage Company participation points during the competition year. Two of your five participation points must be earned by attending meetings. Three of your five participation points must be earned by volunteering at the Dressage Company horse show.

5. Save your tests and submit at least three qualifying scores for each division you enter. Your three scores must be earned from three different judges at three different shows for each level you have entered. Submit the Year End Award Score Submission form with a copy of the front page of each qualifying test to report your scores by October 31 of the competition year. Find the Year End Award Score Submission form on the Forms & Documents page.

See the Year End Award Rules on the Forms & Documents page for more details.