HOUSTON DRESSAGE SOCIETY, CDI Pre-Entry and Entry Guide March 2015 Version A. CDI. COULD I? This GUIDE is intended to support those entering and those considering entering HOUSTON DRESSAGE SOCIETY S (HDS) 2015 CONCOURS DE DRESSAGE INTERNATIONAL (CDI). A CDI is a high level, international dressage competition governed by the INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION (FEI). New for 2015, the FEI has approved a separate division - the CDI-Amateur (CDI-Am). See the last page of this document for additional details about this exciting new opportunity for amateurs. It is important to know that the pre-entry steps and (especially) paperwork processing with the United States Equestrian Federation - easily can require 4-6 weeks. So now is a good time to get the gears in motion. Forward! Disclaimer: This information has been drawn from various documents and web pages, as well as from experienced CDI competitors and USEF representatives. While the presentation is presumed to be accurate at this time, requirements, reps and web links do change, and interpretations can be incorrect. HDS is not responsible for any inaccuracies or incomplete information in this CDI Guide. It is the rider's responsibility to confirm actions with the United States Equestrian Federation. B. WHO? WHEN? WHERE? HoUSTON DRESSAGE SOCIETY is offering the CDI during their April 24, 25, 26, 2015 competitions at the GREAT SOUTHWEST EQUESTRIAN CENTER in Katy, Texas. A table on pages 5-6 lists the CDI divisions and tests to be offered this year. C. WHY WOULD I DO THIS? HOW IS COMPETING IN A CDI SPECIAL? 1. Have the distinction of riding in a CDI. 2. Compete under international rules and format, including a "jog" and a panel of international judges; not just one judge. 3. Compete for prize money in most classes. 4. Compete for additional prizes for the leading rider (champion) over a given CDI division (e.g., CDI, CDI-Amateur, CDI Pony). 5. Hear the national anthem played for each class winner at the daily awards ceremony. 6. Compete for the "Best dressed/best turnout" jog award. 7. Dive into this opportunity to step up to the international level on a prospective path to higher recognition. 8. Ready? Spring directly to section E.
D. HOW IS A CDI DIFFERENT FROM A TYPICAL RECOGNIZED SHOW? Some examples 1. Entry requires additional formal FEI registrations, documentation and entry declaration, as outlined elsewhere in this Guide. 2. Horses are stabled in restricted-access stalls throughout the competition; a fenced-off area with 24-hour security. 3. Only designated persons with an issued official wristband I.D. can enter the restricted stabling area beginning Thursday and continuing through all the days of competition. 4. On Thursday, CDI horses must be on-site and will be subject to the following. A CDI horse must pass each inspection as appropriately eligible and sound in order to be confirmed for competition: a. Be checked over by the FEI veterinarian. b. Have her/his official documents checked by the FEI veterinarian, FEI Chief Steward and possibly other officials. CDI officials typically hold each horse s Passport during some or all of the competition. c. Be shown individually in the jog ; walk and jog in-hand in front of FEI officials. 5. CDI competitor warm-ups are limited to specified times and are monitored by FEI Stewards. 6. Order of go per class is decided by a draw the evening prior to each day s competition. 7. At least the first three horse/rider pairs placing in each class return in show tack and attire for each day s awards ceremony. E. CDI ~ FIRST THINGS FIRST: Important: While there are multiple steps to enter a CDI for the first time, the elements involved in completing (i) an FEI Horse Registration and (ii) a horse s Passport can require the most lead time. (iii) A horse s microchip number is essential for both of these. Allow at least 4-6 weeks if there are no delays. A rush process might be available for a substantial fee. Much more detail is provided in the section below called, CDI Three Key Sets of Steps. 1. If/when one s horse has a qualified microchip, apply for an FEI Horse Registration (can take up to several weeks to process). Without the microchip number, USEF cannot begin the FEI Horse Registration process. If a microchip is needed, complete steps 2+3 in this series. Then apply for the FEI Horse Registration as soon as the chip number is available. 2. Apply for a USEF National Passport or FEI Passport (Explanation for which to choose is in section F-2, below.) a. Online, fill out the passport application and pay the fee. FEI Horse Registration and microchip blanks can be "pending". b. USEF sends the competitor the appropriate passport materials, including a detailed horse diagram blank for the vet. 3. Once the passport materials are in-hand, have the horse seen by a veterinarian with horse passport experience and: a. If not already done, obtain a microchip for the horse and use it (promptly) for the FEI Horse Registration. b. Have the vet complete the remainder of the passport (horse diagram, vaccination confirmation, etc.). 4. Submit the Passport with materials completed by the vet to USEF. For the Passport at this point, the FEI Horse Registration number can be listed as "pending". When USEF processes the associated FEI Horse Registration number, they add it to the passport, stamp the passport "approved", then return it to the competitor to provide to FEI officials at dressage competitions requiring an official horse passport. HDS_CDI Pre-Entry + Entry Guide 10 March_2015 fnl.docx Page 2 of 6
F. CDI THREE KEY SETS OF STEPS The three key sets of steps in this section are: F-1. Membership Accounts F-2. Passport: Obtain a Passport for each competing horse F-3. CDI Competition Entry F-1. Membership Accounts What to do (for U.S. residents) USEF Membership/Accounts: A. Each rider/athlete must have an active Senior/Junior Competing Membership with the National Federation; the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF). B. Each owner must have a USEF Senior Membership. C. Each horse must have a USEF lifetime recording. FEI Registration: D. Obtain a 2015 FEI Horse Registration number E. Obtain a 2015 FEI Rider Registration number Involves what? How? Site? Online forms: https://www.usef.org. Find the Membership tab at left and click. Then choose: Join or Renew and follow the instructions. The online process will require using/creating account credentials; an identity (ID) and password. a. Use your USEF credentials to log on to www.usef.org. b. From the left list, click Competitions. c. Under this, choose FEI Organizers. d. In the center panel, look under International Level Competitor Requirements. e. Click on FEI Passport. Forms listed include current year FEI Horse Registration + FEI Rider Registration. F-2. Passport: Obtain a Passport for each competing horse. This is facilitated through the USEF.org website. Two Passport possibilities. Each horse competing in a CDI must have one passport or the other. A. The FEI Passport is required for horses entered in Grand Prix (CDI3* and above), horses competing in International competitions (e.g., NAJYRC) and horses with foreign passports now owned by U.S. riders. B. The USEF National Passport is for U.S. horses competing at or below the CDI2* level (PSG through Intermediate-II) and for U.S. horses in the new CDI-Amateur Division. Alternatively, an FEI Passport can be obtained for these horses. The USEF National Passport application is different from and significantly less expensive than the FEI Passport. Once one has a USEF National Passport, s/he can upgrade to the FEI Passport for an added fee. Since the steps/requirements for both types of passports are so similar, some decide to begin with the FEI Passport to be prepared for future opportunities. HDS_CDI Pre-Entry + Entry Guide 10 March_2015 fnl.docx Page 3 of 6
What to do (for U.S. residents) Involves what? How? Site? A. FEI Passport including these elements: FEI New Passport Application: a. Use your USEF credentials to log on to www.usef.org. b. From the left list, click Competitions. c. Under this, choose FEI Organizers. d. In the center panel, look under International Level Competitor Requirements. e. Click on FEI Passport and choose FEI New Passport. Microchip: A new FEI Horse Registration and an FEI Passport require a qualified microchip: (See above, CDI~First Things First.) Vaccination: As part of the FEI Passport, each horse must have a valid vaccination certification. Horse Diagram: Requires identifying diagram(s) Veterinarian. Veterinarian. For the Equine Influenza vaccine, the horse should have the two-shot primary series followed by six month boosters. For new passports, vets can provide a statement confirming that the horse is up to date on shots. Veterinarian. Or B. USEF National Passport including these elements: USEF National Passport Application: See steps a-d to right of FEI New Passport Application, above. e. Click on FEI Passport : choose National Passport Form. See also - USEF Horse Passport 101 (2012 document) https://www.usef.org/documents/international/passports101_2.pdf Microchip, Vaccination and Horse Diagram requirements parallel the FEI Passport, above. Veterinarian. To avoid repetition here, please review the earlier section above, CDI ~ First Things First, for other process details. Still have passport questions? Contact the USEF Horse Passport Office at 859.258.2472 or contact Alyssa Alexander, aalexander@usef.org. HDS_CDI Pre-Entry + Entry Guide 10 March_2015 fnl.docx Page 4 of 6
F-3. CDI Competition Entry What to do (U.S. residents) A. FEI Entry System: Each horse/rider pair must declare intent to compete through the FEI Entry System via the USEF site. Note: Declaring does NOT constitute an entry. It is a required step toward an FEI talent data base. B. HDS Show Entry: Use HDS Prize List. Involves what? How? Site? a. Have at hand the necessary USEF, FEI Rider and FEI Horse Registration numbers. b. Log on to www.usef.org. Scroll down and click the gray bar: FEI Competition information & Competing Abroad. c. Under this, click: Manage Entries for U.S. Competitions in the FEI Entry System. d. Respond about which competition + which horse(s) to have entered (via USEF). More information here: https://www.usef.org/_iframes/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alldressage/hpdressage.aspx Use the instructions in: Memo to Athletes FEI Entries to US CDI Still have entry questions? Contact Cavan Allen at callen@usef.org Find the HDS April 2015 Competitions Prize List at: http://www.showsecretary.com G. WHAT CDI DIVISIONS DOES HDS PLAN TO OFFER FOR 2015? WITH DETAILS, PLEASE CDI Division CDI Designation Tests Offered Age of Athletes Age of Horses CDI3* Open Big Tour Grand Prix, Grand Prix Freestyle As of 16 th yr. Min 8 yr. CDI1* Open Medium Tour Intermediate A, Intermediate B, Intermediate II As of 16 th yr. Min 8 yr. CDI1* Open Small Tour Prix St. Georges, Intermediate I, Intermediate I Freestyle As of 16 th yr. Min. 7 yr. Rider 16-25 CDIU-25 Grand Prix 16-25 As of 16 th yr. to end 25 th yr. Min. 8 yr. CDI-Y Young Rider Individual, Team and Freestyle As of 16 th yr. to end 21 st yr. Min. 7 yr. CDI-J Junior Individual, Team and Freestyle As of 14 th yr. to end 18 th yr. Min. 6 yr. CDIP Pony Individual, Team and Freestyle As of 12 th yr. to end 16 th yr. Min. 6 yr. Young Horse CDIYH FEI 5 yr. old; FEI 6 yr. old As of 16 th yr. Min. 5 yr.; Max. 6 yr. CDI Divisions Table continues HDS_CDI Pre-Entry + Entry Guide 10 March_2015 fnl.docx Page 5 of 6
CDI Division CDI Designation Tests Offered Age of Athletes Age of Horses CDI-Am1* New Amateur Small Tour Prix St. Georges, Intermediate I, Intermediate I Freestyle As of 26th yr. Min. 7 yr. CDI-Am1* New Amateur Medium Tour Intermediate A, Intermediate B, Intermediate II As of 26th yr. Min. 8 yr. H. CDI-AMATEUR ~ A LITTLE MORE DETAIL, PLEASE In 2015 for the first time ever, international adult amateur dressage competitions have been approved by the INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION (FEI). The CDI-Am (Concours de Dressage International-Amateur) will consist of the tests noted in the table above in the two rows beginning with CDI-Am1*. Who is eligible to enter? U.S Adult Amateur Athlete Competitors: Must be at least 26 years old. Must have no ranking on the FEI Dressage World Ranking List as of the entry date. Can enter up to two horses each (Note horse age minimums per small or medium tour in the above table.) How did this come about? The USEF lists approximately 16,000 dressage members in the U.S (mostly amateurs), while the FEI Dressage World Rankings lists just 62 U.S. combinations. To give those greater numbers (adult amateurs) the CDI opportunity, good folks have lobbied for years for a CDI-Amateur Division. Now it is here! HDS_CDI Pre-Entry + Entry Guide 10 March_2015 fnl.docx Page 6 of 6