11/29/2025
US Equestrian Publishes Riding Standards Guidelines for Dressage
Lexington, Ky. - Earlier this fall, US Equestrian released a series of Horse Welfare Guidelines to members, including those based on the familiar concept of a stoplight guidance recently published by USEF. In addition to this work, the USEF Dressage Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Task Force led by Betsy Juliano and Lisa Gorretta, has been meeting regularly to discuss changes needed nationally within the discipline of dressage.
As a result of the Task Force discussions Riding Standard Guidelines have been drafted for the consideration of dressage athletes looking to progress up the levels in a harmonious way with their horses. We encourage athletes, trainers, and our dressage community to share these guidelines and implement them into their daily practice and review before competing. Anatomy of a Successful Experience - Determining If You Are Ready to Move Up to the Next Level. Basic questions to ask yourself as a baseline as to whether you’re ready to compete at the next level:
If you practice a movement included in the next level of competition, are you able to consistently meet the requirements of that movement and the directives stated in the test?
On average, are you and your horse reasonably confirmed at the current level you are competing with a score reflecting competency, such as 63% or higher?
Does your horse willingly perform the movements required for the level at which you are considering competing?
Are you familiar with the new movements to be asked at the next level and the characteristics defining each of them? Consequently, are you and your horse proficient and confident in performing the movements as they are required in the test?
Strategies for a Successful Experience
As a general rule, follow the adage of competing at the level below you are currently training.
For more information on the work of the USEF Dressage Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Task Force, please contact [email protected]. Photo courtesy US Equestrian.
