Rules for Western Dressage

• All ECRDA rules and procedures apply to Western Dressage unless otherwise stated here..

• Tack

  ·        breastplate and/or crupper may be used

  ·        any western type headstall must be used

  ·        western cavesson is permitted

  ·        Bosal hackamores  are permitted (no metal)

  ·        Western Two Rein bridle is permitted

  ·        Romal reins are only appropriate with a curb bit and are to be sued with one hand

  ·        Snaffle (mullen, single or double jointed) or western curb bit may be used.

  •    mouth piece must be round or oval shaped, smooth and covered

  •    latex wrapping is permitted

  •    shanks can be no longer than 8 ½ ”, fixed or loose

  •    ports no higher than 3 ½“ are permitted

  •    leveraged snaffle bits (such as a kimberwick) are permitted

  ·        Snaffle Bit can be used on a horse of any age

  ·        a western stock, national, Aussie or western side saddle may be used

  ·        martingales (tie downs) are not permitted

  ·        flash, figure eight or dropped nose bands are not permitted

  ·        Boots of any kind are not permitted.  leg wraps are permitted

  Attire

  ·        protective equestrian helmet required

  ·        long sleeved shirt,  trousers or pants, boots are required

  ·        necktie, kerchief, bolo or pin are optional

  ·        vest, jacket coat or sweater are optional

  ·        chaps or split riding skirt are permitted

  ·        Western style or English dressage spurs permitted

  Elimination

  ·        bucking during the test

  ·        use of illegal equipment

  ·        unauthorized assistance

  ·        three course errors

  ·        late (45 seconds from the bell) entry into the area

  ·        cruelty

  ·        concern for the safety of the rider

  ·        evidence of blood on the horse

  Gaits

  ·        demonstrates free flowing comfortable strides that a free, regular in cadence and rhythm with consistent tempo

  ·        walk - well marked four beat marching gait

  ·        jog - two beat gait of alternate diagonal legs

  ·        lope - three regular beats with a clear time of suspension after the third beat

  Other Rules

  ·        rider may use one or two hands with a curb bit but may not switch during  a test

  ·        rider must use two hands with a snaffle, hackamore, bitless or two rein bridle

  ·        whips less than 47 ½”  may be used

  ·        riders are qualified as a JR/YR until end of the year that they reach 21

  Divisions

  ·        Introductory A - includes Introductory Level tests 1 and 2

  ·        Introductory B - includes Introductory Level tests 3 and 4

  ·        Basic - include Basic tests 1 through 4

  ·        Level 1 - includes Level 1 tests 1 through 4

  ·        Level 2 - includes Level 2 tests 1 through 4

  ·        Level 3 - includes Level 3 tests 1 through 4

  ·        Level 4 - includes Level 4 tests 1 through 4

  To qualify for championship show you must earn a score of 60% in any test of the level.

  To qualify for year-end awards you must ride any test of the division in front of at least three different judges at three different shows and earn two score of 55% or better in the highest test of the division.