ShowsInternational Criteria 2009
These criteria take presedence over all previous documents
Please Read carefully.
Riders, horses and owners must be paid up members of Dressage Ireland before applying to compete abroad.
What does it mean - International Dressage Rider?
An international dressage rider is a member of Dressage Ireland who is representing Ireland in international dressage competitions. These competitions are run under the rules of the F.E.I. for seniors, young riders, juniors and pony riders. The entries for these competitions are made by the H.S.I previously called E.F.I. The entry process starts with -
- Entries in principle 5 - 6 weeks before the competition
- Nominated entries 3 weeks before(Riders planning to go)
- Definite entries (Riders definitely going and entry fees owed)
Where are international shows held?
International shows are held in most countries where there are equestrian activities. In 2003 Necarne Northern Ireland was the venue for the Pony European Championships. To date there has not been a senior international dressage competition held in Ireland.
What is the difference between the FEI and HSI?
The Federation Equestre Internationale - F.E.I. is the organization that governs all international equestrian sport. The list of international shows are in the calendar section on their website www.horsesport.org
Horse Sport Ireland- H.S.I is the organization that has taken over from the E.F.I. and governs Irish national equestrian sports of which Dressage Ireland is a member. www.horsesportireland.ie
Does Dressage Ireland have different levels of international riders?
Dressage Ireland has three categories of senior international riders
- The High Performance rider i.e. potential European Championships/World Equestrian Games/Olympic rider. These riders have proven themselves to be of a high standard in recent international competition at Grand Prix (Big Tour).
- The International rider who has competed at CDI level (Concours Dressage Internationale) at Prix St. George level (Small tour) and is moving towards Grand Prix.
- National riders who have good results from top national shows and have applied for permission to compete internationally.
Dressage Ireland has two categories of Under 21 riders
- The High Performance Under 21 rider i.e. one who has competed at Young Riders European Dressage Championship and/or Junior European Dressage Championship. These riders have proven themselves to be of a standard in recent competition. Pony riders are excluded from this category.
- Under 21 riders who have good results from top national shows wishing to compete internationally.
Do riders have to qualify to compete at international competitions?
The High Performance rider has to qualify by achieving a percentage mark at international shows judged by open international judges (O). The criteria are set by the Dressage committee of the FEI.
The International rider who has competed at CDI level will have to apply for permission to compete with a new horse or if moving from Small to Big Tour.
Big Tour
Riders must achieve 63% at Grand Prix level in front of an appropriately listed judge within the present or previous year from date of application.
Small Tour
Riders must achieve 63% at PSG level and Inter 1 level in front of an appropriately listed judge within the present or previous year from date of application.
Dressage Ireland riders living in Ireland or abroad wishing to compete internationally MUST apply for permission showing their results from the top national shows in Ireland, England or abroad e.g. National Festivals or Championships and Premier League shows.
The D.I. board requires that riders at all levels including CDIO achieve 63% in front of an appropriately listed judge, but each case will be considered on its own merit by the board.
How do Juniors and Young Riders qualify?
There are two categories of qualifications for Juniors and Young riders
Juniors
- As per National riders above at Advanced Medium level.
- Juniors:
In order to qualify for participation at the 2009 European Junior Championship, riders and horses must have attained (as a combination) one final percentage score of at least 63% in a Junior Team or Individual Competition Test at a CDIJ including the 2008 Junior European Championship, from 1st January 2008 until 26 June 2009.
Young riders
- As per National riders above at Prix St. George level
- Young Riders:
In order to qualify for participation at the 2009 European Young Rider Championship, riders and horses must have attained (as a combination) one final percentage score of at least 63% in a Young Rider Team or Individual Competition Test at a CDIY including the 2008 Young Rider European Championship, or one final percentage score of 63% in a Prix St Georges Test at a CDI, from 1st January 2008 until 26 June 2009. For those riders who will compete as Young Riders for the first time in 2009, one final percentage score of at least 63% in a Junior Team or Individual Competition Test at a CDIJ including the 2008 Junior European Championship, from 1st January until 31st December 2008, will also be accepted.
How does a Pony rider qualify?
To compete at a Pony European Championships (Dressage), a pony/rider combination needs to apply for permission showing their results from top national shows in Ireland, England or abroad. They are required to achieve 63% twice at Medium or equivalent level in front of an appropriately listed judge but each case will be considered on its own merit by the board.
After the qualification what is the next thing to do?
To compete at an International show the rider will need the following:
- A yearly H.S.I. international riders license from H.S.I. (fee payable to H.S.I.) which will be only be issued after DI membership has been received by DI office.
- Pay the yearly international participation fee to Dressage Ireland (please check with the D.I. secretary for up to date rate). This fee is to offset the participation fee paid to the H.S.I.
- An F.E.I. passport for the horse obtained through the H.S.I.
- The passport will need to show up to date vaccinations now required to be done at 6 monthly intervals
- Ponies also require an official F.E.I. Measurement Certificate obtained through the H.S.I.
- Submit a personal profile: CV for publicity & 2 passport photos
- Have read and be aware of the anti doping policy and have filled out any appropriate forms
- International riders are now required to fill in whereabouts forms for testing purposes. Available on the H.S.I. website or from the D.I. secretary.
NB All this administration takes time so leave at least 6 weeks for the process of these forms. There will be a charge of €50 for last minute administration
All this is very expensive, will there be funding for this?
Dressage Ireland at this time receives funding from two government organizations
- The Irish Sports Council - Department of Sport
- H.S.I. National Training
1. Riders plans and budgets
Each autumn all international riders must send their plans for the upcoming year and records of competition for the past year to the D.I. central office. They must also submit an estimated budget for the year; these plans will be sent to the H.S.I. where with the other equestrian disciplines they are compiled into a submission to the Irish Sports Council.
However, supplying this information does not automatically guarantee funding, that will depend on whatever is available. The funds are mainly used to assist in the cost of senior riders and Under 21's competing in the European Championships and top international shows
Unfortunately these funds do not cover team identification. This is at the riders own expense.
2. The Irish Horse Board has been funding training for riders to train in Ireland for international competitions since 1998. This funding is granted on an annual basis and details will be posted on the website. This funding will now be allocated by the H.S.I.
Will I need permission to compete in England or abroad in national competitions?
You do not need permission from the board of D.I. to compete away from Ireland in a national show but all results obtained abroad MUST be sent to the office.. However, as a matter of courtesy it is recommended that you inform the secretary of D.I. that you are competing outside Ireland.
- to compete in England you will need to be a member of British Dressage www.britishdressage.co.uk
- to compete abroad you will need a guest license. Contact the H.S.I. for information 045 886678
Invitations to friendly internationals for adults and/or Under 21's. Do I have to qualify for these and who will be in charge?
Friendly international invitations sent to D.I. are published on the website. www.dressageireland.ie.
On an annual basis Dressage Ireland will put in place a selection process for these friendly international competitions. Selection will be similar to the requirements for F.E.I. competitions, i.e. competition results will be considered by a selection committee, whose decision will be ratified by the Board. Your application to be considered for competition at a friendly international should be sent to the Secretary of Dressage Ireland.