Dressage Ireland

What is Dressage Ireland?

Do I need to be a member of Dressage Ireland to enter a Dressage Ireland competition?

How can I register myself and my horse/pony with Dressage Ireland?

How do I enter a competition?

What class should I enter?

What do I do next?

What should I wear?

What should my horse/pony wear?

What do I do when I arrive at the show?

How can I improve my scores?

What is Dressage Ireland?

Dressage Ireland is the national body controlling affiliated dressage on the island of Ireland. The main objects for which the Company is established are to promote the amateur sport of dressage in Ireland and, where appropriate, in other countries amongst its members and to the public, both generally and as an educational, recreational and sporting activity.

"Regional Affiliated Club" means a club established in a Region to organise and promote Dressage. There are seven regions: Eastern, Leinster, Midland and Western, Northern, North Munster, South East and South Munster.

Each region organises shows within its own territory, as well as training and other activities. National Championships are run centrally at the end of the winter and summer Seasons.

Dressage Judges are trained and examined by Dressage Ireland and are the official judges to officiate at dressage shows.

Do I need to be a member of Dressage Ireland to enter a Dressage Ireland competition?

Many regional dressage shows also run classes for unregistered riders. You can consult the schedules for each region. In addition, unregistered riders and horses/ponies can usually compete hors concours (H/C) in affiliated classes. Hors conours competitors will receive a test sheet with the judge's comments and marks but will not be eligible for prizes and horses/ponies will not gain grading points (see below).

Unregistered riders need to pay a €5 day insurance fee in addition to the normal entry fee. No day insurance fee is needed when a registered rider competes an unregistered horse/pony H/C.

How can I register myself and my horse/pony with Dressage Ireland?

Registration forms can be downloaded from the membership page and also from the horse registration page.

Send the completed forms, the appropriate fee and, if required, photocopies of your horse/pony's passport and to the address given on the form. Allow two weeks for processing and return of your registration cards.

It is also possible to register online.

Remember if you are registering a horse/pony which has competed abroad, in order to facilitate processing of the registration, you must supply all details of its competition results from abroad at the time of registration.

How do I enter a competition?

Choose a show from the schedule section of www.dressageireland.ie.

The schedule for each show gives you all the information you need, such as the date and venue of the competition, along with the tests used in each class, entry fee, closing date for entries and how to get your test times.

Select the class(es) you want to enter (see below). Remember to check that you and your horse are eligible for any class you do enter. Check the Dressage Ireland rules about grading and points, if your horse is registered. Check the relevant show schedule for conditions of eligibility for unregistered classes.

You can download the Dressage Ireland entry form from the entry form page.

You should always use the Dressage Ireland entry form, even if you and/or your horse are not registered, as the form gives the show organisers all the information they need in relation to your entry. Remember it is in your interest to provide an address, contact telephone number and e-mail (if you have one), as the organisers may need to contact you if there are any queries about your entry or if the show is postponed or cancelled. Please remember that show organisers are not necessarily cryptographers - write clearly on your entry form, or preferably fill it out on your computer before printing it.

Send your entry form to the show secretary of the show you are attending, not to Dressage Ireland! Enclose the entry fee (cheque or postal order, don't send cash through the post). Make sure that cheques are made out to the appropriate recipient, which will vary depending on who is organising the show. Check the show schedule to confirm the correct recipient.

If you can't compete early or late, or are travelling with another competitor, write this on the entry form as most organisers will try to help when allocating start times. This is usually done a couple of days before the show.

What class should I enter?

If you have lessons with a trainer, your trainer should be able to advise you as to the most suitable level to compete at. If you don't have any ready source of advice, check the tests (see below) for the classes and be sure to enter a class where you can comfortably perform the required moves. If your horse/pony is currently graded (see below) at a level higher than you wish to compete, you can enter a lower grade class H/C.

What do I do next?

Make sure you have a copy of the relevant test and learn it.

Copies of British Dressage tests may be purchased from the Dressage Ireland Ltd. secretary (stocks allowing) or direct from British Dressage, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2RJ.

Sets of tests can be order by writing to the Secretary: Gerd Liekens-Schurmans, Killedmond, Borris, Co. Carlow.

Prices are as follows:

• BD Preliminary & Novice tests €15
• Complete set of BD tests €35
• Complete set of BD Tests with folder €50

Individual tests can also be ordered and obtained immediately on-line from www.dressagediagrams.org.

Please note that British Dressage Ltd. tests are protected by copyright. Photocopying is not permitted. Legal action will be taken against offenders by British Dressage Ltd.

Remember to ring during the time slot stated in the schedule or, where applicable, check the relevant website (as described in the show schedule) for the start time of your test(s).

What should I wear?

Some riders think they need to spend a fortune on expensive clothes and leather boots to compete in affiliated dressage. This is not the case.

Full details of requirements for riders' equipment are laid down in rule 22 of the Dressage Ireland Rule Book.

In brief:

• For tests from preliminary up to Advanced Medium level, riders should wear a Uniform or Black/Navy blue or tweed coat with correctly tied stock, white American collar or shirt and tie, hunting cap, bowler hat or crash cap or dressage topper. Only white/cream stocks with Black/Navy coats, or coloured stocks with tweed coats are correct. A plain, dark coloured waterproof may be worn in wet weather.
• For tests at higher levels, other rules apply (see Rule book ).
• At the discretion of the Organiser, competitors may be permitted to ride without coats in excessively hot weather, but a suitable shirt that fastens at the neck, with at least short sleeves (not bright or multi-coloured) with a tie or correctly fastened stock must be worn.
• Body protectors may be worn.
• It is compulsory for anyone mounted on a horse at an affiliated Dressage competition to wear a hat. Failure to do so will entail a €30 fine payable to the organiser. Crash cap covers should be black, brown or navy blue. Uniform hats are allowed. B.S.I. standard hats or such other protective headgear as may reasonably be expected to offer a similar or higher level of protection are recommended by Dressage Ireland, but are not compulsory. If a hat comes off during a test it must be replaced immediately; either the competitor may dismount or the hat may be handed to them. The test will be restarted at the beginning of the movement during which it came off. There will be no penalty for an error of course but if the hat is not replaced the competitor will be eliminated.
• Pony riders competing in U21 pony classes and run under FEI rules MUST wear hats with safety harnesses.
• Breeches/jodhpurs must be white, cream or beige, except when worn with official uniform, when they may be of the uniform colour.
• Gloves must be worn.
• Boots must be black or brown and may be top boots or Jodhpur boots. Gaiters will be allowed providing they are indistinguishable from the Jodhpur boots in colour and leather, and carry no decorations of any sort.
• Whips are generally allowed, except in championships and in all FEI pony, junior and young rider tests. The maximum length rule was abolished in 2005, instead whips may not be used in a way or of a length that disturbs other riders.
• Spurs must be worn as a pair (except when riding side saddle) from Advanced level upwards. Metal spurs with round hard plastic or metal knobs are allowed. The band round the heal must be smooth and there must be a shank on the back of the heal pointing towards the rear. There is no restriction on the type of shank, and rowels are permitted provided that they are fitted vertically and are free to rotate. Rowels, which have points, must have rounded ends. Excessive use of spurs is for bidden. Spurs may not be worn upside down. Spurs that have a smooth rotating rubber or plastic ball on the shank are permitted. Only blunt spurs without rowels may be worn in Young Horse classes. Swan neck spurs are permitted.
• It is permitted to carry a whip in all National classes except Finals and Championships or at the request of the selectors. A whip may not be carried when riding an FEI Pony, Junior or Young Rider test. Whips are permitted in all 4 year old classes including Championships. A whip may always be carried by ladies riding side saddle, but at no time may more than one whip be carried during a test or warming up - unless as permitted equipment for a "carded" disabled rider.
• When saluting, competitors must take the reins and whip, if carried, in one hand. The free hand should be lowered to the rider's side and the rider should nod the head. Gentlemen may salute in the same manner, or if they wish, they may remove and lower their hat with their free hand before nodding.
• Whips may not be picked up if dropped during a test. Excessive use of the whip at any time is forbidden, and it should never be used or carried in a manner, which affects other horses.
• Whips must not be used in a manner or of a length that affects other riders.
• Whips at championships: It is permitted to carry a whip in the working in area ONLY. It is forbidden, under penalty of elimination, to carry a whip of any kind IN THE ARENA and the whip must be dropped before entering the SPACE around the competition arena, or the rider will receive 4 penalty points per judge.
• Only riders who have been selected to represent Ireland officially in a Team Competition, or as a nominated individual at a Championship are entitled to wear the Tricolour on their breast pocket. Riders competing at CDI (international) level are eligible for a small pocket badge, which can be obtained from Dressage Ireland.

What should my horse/pony wear?

Full details of permitted tack are laid own in rule 22 of the Dressage Ireland Rule Book.

In brief:

• Saddles must be worn and be of English or Continental style and must be black, brown, grey or navy. Western style or brightly coloured saddles are not permitted. Stirrup leathers and irons are compulsory and must be attached to the saddle and used in the conventional way. The rider's boots must not be fixed to the stirrup iron by any mechanical means. It is permissible to ride sidesaddle.
• Saddle covers are not permitted under any circumstances, except during riding in, or as permitted equipment by a "carded", disabled rider.
• A gel pad seat saver is permitted, provided that it is unobtrusive and matches the colour of the saddle. Other types of seat saver, including sheepskin / fur fabric are not permitted, unless with written dispensation from the Dressage Ireland office.
• Treeless saddles are permitted.
• A competitor representing Ireland may wear a tricolour saddlecloth badge. Those selected for 'Friendly Internationals' may wear a tricolour saddlecloth badge but permission must be sought from the Board of Dressage Ireland. They must not be worn when riding abroad in Regional or National (i.e. British) Championships.
• Logos on each side of the saddlecloth are permitted but must not exceed 200 square cm (approx. 14cm x 14cm).
• Bridles should be used as follows:
• Preliminary and Novice: Ordinary snaffle bridle.
• Elementary, to Advanced: Ordinary snaffle bridle or double bridle.
• Prix St. Georges to Grand Prix tests that are ridden under National rules: Double bridle.
• International Prix St. Georges to Grand Prix tests under F.E.I. rules: double bridle, a plain-coloured saddle, leather or synthetic.
• Details of permitted bits, including diagrams, are given in the Dressage Ireland Rule Book. Bit guards are not permitted.It is obligatory to use a noseband. The following nosebands are permitted with a snaffle bridle: Cavesson; Dropped; Flash; and Crossed / Mexican [Grackle]. Only one of these types may be used at any one time. Drop nosebands and flash straps must lie in the chin groove. Rope or sheepskin nosebands are not allowed. A cavesson noseband only, MUST be used with a double bridle. Nosebands must not cause discomfort.
• Other tack: martingales, bearing, side or running reins of any kind are forbidden, as are bandages, boots, nasal strips and any sort of blinkers. However, boots, including overreach boots, and bandages may be used for warming up, but must be removed before entering the arena.
• A breastplate is permitted. Tongue straps are not permitted. Cruppers are permitted but are not allowed for tests run under F.E.I. rules. Neck straps may be used in Preliminary and unaffiliated classes and while riding in, but are not permitted in classes of Novice standard upwards. Balancing straps (a loop on the front of the saddle) are permitted.
• Any decoration of the horse with extravagant items, such as ribbons flowers glitter, etc. in the mane or tail or applied to the coat is forbidden. Discrete red bows in the tail are permitted for horses that kick.
• Fly fringes, gauze's and ear covers which cover any part of the horse's head may be worn when riding-in but not during a Test. Head shakers will be allowed to wear a specific type of nose net and applications should be made to the Dressage Office for details, and a dispensation certificate. However nose nets are not permitted under F.E.I. rules. Anti Fly Impregnated browbands and fly repellent discs are permitted while riding in and during a test.

What do I do when I arrive at the show?

Arrive in plenty of time to declare your entry at the secretary's office. If you are a registered competitor, you will need to produce your registration card and your horse/pony's card.

Some shows use bridle numbers - if this is the case at the show you enter, you can find out your bridle number when you declare. You can buy bridle numbers from most saddlers, usually for about €5.

If there is a call-up steward, let them know you are there and listen out for when you are called for your test. Check where your class is being held, whether you should ride inside or outside the arena just before you start your test and where you can warm up.

Follow the code of practice for warming up (full details in the current Dressage Ireland Rule Book ).

Keep an eye on your watch, as it is up to you to be at the arena and ready to go at the right time.

Remember to remove any boots and bandages before the test.

You can ask a friend to video your performance and you can also have someone read out your test, sometimes referred to as a commander, who shouldn't stand too close to the judge.

You are allowed to ride around the outside/inside of the arena for a short while before you begin your test. The judge will sound a horn or ring a bell to tell you to start and you have up to 45 seconds to make your way around to A.

If you go wrong, the judge will sound the horn. Don't panic, as you will only lose marks for that one movement. Stop as soon as possible. If you know where you have gone wrong, raise your hand and return to the start of that movement. If you are not sure, ride towards the judge, who will tell you where you went wrong and where to restart. If you have a problem with the horse and would like to retire, let the judge know.

Once you have put your horse away, check your marks on the scoreboard. Your test sheets can be collected about ½hr after the end of the class and it is wise to check the adding up of the scores. If they are wrong, you must point it out to the organiser within 1hr of the class finishing. If you can't wait to collect your sheets, you can leave a stamped addressed envelope to have them sent on. Judges are often around the scoreboard after the class has finished. Do feel you can ask them questions to help you learn.

How can I improve my scores?

Get as much training from an appropriately qualified trainer as you can! If you do not have a trainer at the moment, you can locate one by:

• using the trainer list in the training section to locate a trainer in your region;
• asking about training organised by your region;
• asking regional committee members about trainers in your area;
• asking successful competitors about their trainers.