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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

My Memberships Are Ready, But What About My Horse?

1/20/2016

 
When I first started showing dressage in 2010, I was overwhelmed by all of the memberships that I needed for rated events. When I found out my horse also needed a bunch of ID numbers, I almost quit.
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Missing are my second GMO's membership card and ID numbers for both horses.
I have a whole page on my website dedicated to explaining what memberships you need to show at a rated event. Once you get yourself all sorted out, you then need to think about what your horse is going to need. Fortunately that part is a lot simpler.

USEF
Most rated shows ask for a horse's USEF number. I think you can just write N/A, but I decided to get numbers for both my horses. An Annual Recording Number is $75 and a Lifetime Recording Number is $200. I wasn't interested in laying out that kind of cash, but I discovered that a horse can get a Horse ID (HID), which is surprisingly FREE!

To get your horse recorded with USEF, which gives you a number to use for rated shows, simply log on to USEF's website, find your member page, scroll down a bit, and click the bright red ADD/UPDATE button below your member info. In just minutes, you can get a USEF number for your horse.

Horses with an HID are not eligible for any awards, but you can enter breed and registry information on a profile page. And if you ever decide to pursue USEF year end awards, it's really easy to pay the fee and upgrade.
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It's free and super easy to get a USEF "number"
USDF
USDF offers two choices for horse registration. The first is a lot like USEF's HID except that it's not free. The Horse Identification number costs $25, but it never has to be renewed. Like USEF's HID, your horse is not eligible for any awards, but he is eligible to show. This means that while you can earn scores toward your Rider Performance Awards and Medals, scores he earns won't count for Horse Performance Certificates. 

The second registration that USDF offers is a Lifetime Horse Registration (LHR). This registration costs $95, but if you went with an HID originally, you only pay $70 to upgrade (I've done this for both Speedy G and Izzy). With an LHR, your horse is eligible for all of USDF's awards and programs as long as you also hold a Participating Membership (not a Group Membership).

For more information on fees and registration types, click this link.
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GMO
​
I joined two GMOs this year. The California Dressage Society does not charge a fee for tracking the points or scores of the horses that you ride. in fact, neither of my horses even have an ID number with CDS. I think the office keeps track of the horses simply based on their show names.

The Dressage Association of Southern California, the second GMO, does charge an annual $10 fee that allows horses to be eligible for year end awards. DASC is a tiny GMO and has so far proven to be a bit unorganized. I joined in early November and have yet to receive my membership card/number nor Speedy's number. I also just sent an application and fee for Izzy's number just in case he does make it to a rated show this year. I don't think I'll do a DASC-rated show until April, so I'll just kind of wait it out and see what happens.

Your own GMO might have a similar fee structure for registering horses. Check with them before you earn any scores.  

The Grand Total
As complicated as it all seems, the bottom line is you really only need to pay a one-time fee of $25 to meet the minimum registration requirement for horses competing at USEF-licensed/USDF-recognized competitions. If you want your horse to be eligible for Horse of the Year type awards, the price goes up a little for USDF and a lot for USEF.

I'd love to hear how other GMOs deal with horse registration. Does your GMO have a fee for your horse's membership, or is it "free?"
SarahO link
1/20/2016 07:42:10 pm

I just did a post on how it works in my neck of the woods on my blog. (Long-time reader, short-time blogger/commentor =-) )

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/21/2016 06:42:02 am

Really interesting, SarahO. Being in Canada means you have a whole different set of letters and rules to deal with than we do down here. Are there any USDF shows close enough for you to do in Washington, Idaho, or Montana? And if so, how difficult is it to cross the US/Canadian border with a horse?

I hope to hear from you again, and it will be fun to watch your own journey with your lovely mare.

SarahO link
1/21/2016 12:24:45 pm

I'm actually only about an hour and a half from the US border, and considering I am planning to drive up to 6 hours for shows this season, looking south of the border is certainly a possibility. That said, I'm not sure how much of a dressage hotspot Montana is...
I know people who cross the border for AQHA and APHA shows so it's certainly possible, but I know there's a lot more requirements for records of things like Coggins, ownership papers etc. Something to look into for sure. Though the exchange rate would make showing in the states more expensive for Canadians right now

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/23/2016 10:33:17 am

All very interesting, especially needing to consider the exchange rate. We travel internationally about once a year, so I totally get that. We're watching the Euro fall against the dollar right now.


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
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    Photo by Lori Ovanessian

    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
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    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    About Izzy

    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home