Dressage Canada members recently received a notice advising that the 2015 rules for Dressage have just been posted.
Many changes are of an updating or clarifying nature but today, we will draw your attention to some of the changes that may impact you in the upcoming competition year.
Firstly though, be assured that with the introduction of the new 2015 Dressage tests, the Equine Canada Freestyle Tests have been updated to reflect the current compulsory movements as well as those clearly allowed or forbidden.
Also, the Test User Policy has been clarified so that all PTSO may for a small fee, use all current Equine Canada dressage tests with no restrictions as in past years.
Para Equestrian riders in regular competitions have had some general adjustments made by referring them to specific articles in Section M or General Regulations.
For children and riders with small feet, the stirrup rule has been adjusted to permit the use of stirrup guards.
Walk/Trot tests and a description of the objectives and standards for these tests are now included under Definitions of Tests.
For non-competing horses on competition grounds, it has been clarified that although they must be assigned a number, no passport is required.
At Gold Championships, the FEI divisions have been expanded to FEI Small Tour, Medium Tour and Grand Prix with appropriate adjustments for associated Freestyles and Silver Championships.
The Dressage Equitation Pilot of 2014 has now been formalised as a Training and First Level Equitation program. It now includes Amateurs as well as the Child and Junior rider categories. The intention is that these classes be offered as Bronze classes at all EC dressage competitions regardless of the competition license.
Lameness is now described as: In case of lameness which shall include marked unevenness and/or irregularity, the judge at C informs the competitor that he/she is eliminated. There is no appeal against this decision.
Note too that now if a horse or rider falls, not only are they are eliminated, they are not permitted to remount and continue the test.
With the growth of Western Dressage, EC judges may judge Western classes as miscellaneous classes at EC competitions.
This is not a comprehensive list of the changes, so do take the time to acquaint yourself with the 2015 rules before entering your first competition in 2015.
If you have any questions about the 2015 rules, please direct them to Sheila M. Skene, for the Rules Committee at 250-592-1448 or Christine Peters, Manager of Dressage at cpeters@equinecanada.ca
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