ODS Show Approval Standards

Note: any ODS committee, chapter, member or unaffiliated organization, whether for profit or not may apply for ODS Show Approval

ODS Approval: To receive ODS show approval, the show approval form (with all required information) and the approval fee of $60 plus $10 office processing fee (total of $70) must be submitted to the ODS Office at least six weeks prior to the show date.  Click here for show approval application and payment details.

There must be a minimum of two Dressage classes or Dressage Sporthorse Breeding (DHSB) classes offered in order to receive ODS approval.

If competition is closer than six weeks and management wishes to apply for recognition, please phone the ODS Office prior to submitting the application to ensure we can accommodate the rush request.  There will be an additional $20 fee for rush requests applied for within four weeks of competition, or $40 for any rush requests applied for within two weeks of the competition.

50 Mile Rule:  If ODS approves a show, then ODS will approve no other shows in that category (i.e. Licensed or League) within a 50-mile radius of that show on those days.

Membership Rule: Show manager and secretary must both be a current ODS member in good standing.

Post Show Reporting:  Show reports and ODS Awards Fees must be submitted to the ODS Office within 2 weeks of show date.  Reports include ODS Show Report of Fees form, any Competitor Evaluation forms collected by show management, membership applications (with payment), incident forms or copies of accident forms.  Note: ODS approved League shows must also submit properly formatted results; ODS approved USEF/USDF shows are exempt from sending results.  See the ODS website show/management page for details on submitting results and for copies of forms.  See links from Show and Clinic Management page on the ODS Websitefor forms and details.

Failure to comply with the rules will result in a $35 fine, and notification of the membership through Flying Changes magazine. If the results still have not been submitted by the first of the month after Flying Changes comes out, the show will be disqualified (thus needless penalizing the competitors). Any show being disqualified will not be able to receive recognition for the next show year.

Insurance:  For ODS committees or chapters to receive insurance, the insurance form (with all required information) and the insurance fee must be submitted to the ODS Office at least six weeks prior to the show date, and by September 15 if possible.  ODS insurance is available only to ODS Chapters – click here for the details on ODS Insurance.

Shows approved by ODS but sponsored by organizations other than ODS must provide ODS with proof of their insurance (minimum $1 million liability policy) at least 2 weeks in advance of the show, naming Oregon Dressage Society, Inc, its Directors, Officers and Agents as Additional Insured.

Prize List/Entry Form:  must be on file with the ODS Office at least 4 weeks in advance of the show.

The prize list must include:

  1. Name of Show
  2. Sponsoring group
  3. Date and Location of show
  4. ODS show approval number
  5. Must Name(s) of Judge(s) and Technical Delegate(s) if applicable
  6. List of show management officials with contact information
  7. Complete listing of fees, including drug fees, stabling fees, office fees if applicable
  8. Classes offered
  9. List of regulations, including tests to be used, arena size/footing, refund policy; check the current USEF rules for any additional necessary items
  10. A current ODS Membership application
  11. A member statement about the ODS Awards fee

If not using the standard ODS entry form, any custom entry form must contain:

  1. A space on the entry form for the ODS Awards fee
  2. A space for the ODS membership number on the entry form
  3. Correct release of liability including naming Oregon Dressage Society, Inc, its Directors, Officers and Agents
  4. Plus any additional necessary items as required by the current USEF rules

Additional details:

  • Prize lists for ODS League Shows offering classes above 2nd level must contain a disclaimer within the prize list. Classes held above 2nd level are ineligible for year-end ODS Rider Awards and towards ODS League Championship show qualification
  • To be listed in the ODS Regional Omnibus, complete the appropriate form and submit it, your prize list, and the current fee for a listing in the Omnibus by the deadline.
  • If you wish for the ODS Office to produce your prize list and the Omnibus has already gone to press, fees will apply.  Please contact the ODS Office for details.

Website listing:

Information provided on the show approval application will automatically be added to the ODS website show and events calendar.  If show management wishes for additional information to be posted, please e-mail according to the instructions posted on that webpage.  To be added to any of the ODS social networking sites, management must request specifically to the ODS office well in advance of show date.

Judges:

  • For ODS Approval of USEF/USDF Licensed Shows:  follow the current USEF show rules.
  • For ODS League Show Approval: a USDF L-program graduate or any USEF approved judge, can officiate at League shows. Please note the rating of an official affects levels offered at many ODS League Shows:
    • USDF “L” = USDF Graduates from the “L” program
    • USEF “r” – Recorded (judge up to second level)
    • USEF “R” = Registered (judge up to fourth level)
    • USEF “S” = Senior (judge up to Grand Prix)
    • FEI “O” = Official; “I” = International; “C” = Candidate (any FEI Judge is also a  Senior Judge in his/her country)

Judges must be provided with the following for each class:

1.  One scribe/writer

2.  One test sheet for each competitor, plus one extra copy of each test

3. Pens, a bell or whistle, stopwatch, table and chairs

4.  Protection from the weather, i.e. hot sun, wind, rain, lightning

Technical Delegate:

  • For ODS Approval of USEF/USDF Licensed Shows:  follow the current USEF show rules.
  • For ODS League Show Approval:  A USEF licensed Technical Delegate is not required for League shows. Show management and the judge will act in the capacity of TD. The show committee is empowered to eliminate any competitor for inhumane, abusive, or unsafe behavior on the show grounds.

Medical Personnel:

  • For ODS Approval of USEF/USDF Licensed Shows:  follow the current USEF show rules.
  • For ODS League Show Approval: while it is recommended that medical personnel be available on call during League shows, it is not required.

Veterinarian and Farrier:

  • For ODS Approval of USEF/USDF Licensed Shows:  follow the current USEF show rules.
  • For ODS League Show Approval:  it is recommended but not required that they be available on call during show hours.

Disputes:

  • For ODS Approval of USEF/USDF Licensed Shows:  follow the current USEF show rules.
  • For ODS League Show Approval:  In the case of a dispute, a protest should be filed with the show management within one hour of the occurrence. Show management will appoint a three-member committee made up of show officials to adjudicate disputes. A decision must be made within one hour of the time a complaint is filed, and, once ruled upon, the decision of the committee is final.

Dress Code:

  • For ODS Approval of USEF/USDF Licensed Shows:  follow the current USEF show rules.
  • For ODS League Show Approval:  follow the current guidelines published in the ODS Omnibus Green General Section pages

Tack:

  • For ODS Approval of USEF/USDF Licensed Shows:  follow the current USEF show rules.
  • For ODS League Show Approval:  follow the current guidelines published in the ODS Omnibus Green General Section pages

Drugs and Medications Rules:

  • For ODS Approval of USEF/USDF Licensed Shows: follow the current USEF show rules.
  • For ODS League Show Approval:  Competitors are expected to comply with the spirit of USEF regulations.

Arenas and Footing:

  • For ODS Approval of USEF/USDF Licensed Shows:  follow the current USEF show rules.
  • For ODS League Show Approval:
    • Warm-up Arena:  It is recommended that it be laid out on level and even ground, free from rocks and debris, with a minimum size of 20m x 40m (66′ x 132′). Warm-up is necessary at all shows and all horses should have equal opportunity to do so. At League shows, warm-up in or near the show arena will be at the discretion of the management.
    • Competition Arena:  It must be laid out on level and even ground, free from rocks and debris, and have proper lettering correctly spaced.  Either a small arena (20m x 40m) or a standard arena (20m x 60m) may be used for all USDF Intro Level, Training Level tests or First Level Test 1. A standard arena must be used for all other tests. If ring varies from standard arena size, such must be stated in the prize list.
    • If schooling is allowed in the competition arenas, hours will be posted and announced in advance. Competitors are allowed in and around the competition arena only during their scheduled ride times and during posted schooling hours unless otherwise stated by show management.

General Rules and Safety Recommendations:

  • No one is permitted on foot in the warm-up arena.
  • ASTM approved headgear is compulsory for all junior riders under the age of 18 while mounted and encouraged for seniors.

Changes to Competition after ODS Approval has been granted: Competition management must notify the ODS Office of any changes to the competition and if the competition is canceled.  A fee may be charged for each update to make changes on the website and/or prize list (this includes but is not limited to changes in competition name, location, date, officials).  Changes may require notification to ODS members via e-mail, mail or website notices. Approval fee refunds must be requested in writing to the ODS Office.  The ODS Executive Director and the ODS Show Committee Chair must approve the refund.  Refunds will be less the $10 office processing fee and any rush fees paid.