Events

Calendar

Event Info

Please check your emails, our website or social pages for any changes or cancellations due to adverse weather conditions (including exceptionally hot weather).

Horses and ponies may compete at 2 consecutive levels only over the competition, with a maximum of 2 tests per horse per day. Riders may ride a maximum 3 horses per day and a maximum of 6 tests per day.

Ribbons are awarded to 6th place and can be collected on request at the office. Special awards and prizes will be awarded at our annual Championship event and yearly Pointscore presentation.

Class Categories

• Official Competitive (OC): Horse owner and rider require EA membership and horse registration. HVDA membership is not required, however members do receive a discount on entry fees.

• Closed Restricted (CR): For members of Hunter Valley Dressage Association ONLY. EA membership and horse registration are not required.

Competitor Categories

Competitors must nominate their intention to compete in one of these categories at time of entry.

• Open: Competitors who not qualify for the following categories.

• Pony: Ponies must not exceed 149cm with shoes (148cm without shoes).

• Junior: Riders up to 16 years of age e.g. if you turn 16yrs on 1st August 2024, you may continue to compete as Junior for the rest of the 2024 calendar year. During the 2025 calendar year you would then compete as Youth.

• Youth: Riders 16 to 21 years of age e.g. if you turn 21yrs on 1st August 2024 you may continue to compete as Youth for the rest of the 2024 calendar year.

• Amateur Owner Rider (AOR): Adult riders who are non-professional i.e. they do not derive an income from activities in equestrian sport. Junior/Youth competitors are not eligible for AOR.

Scratchings

Scratchings and event enquiries should be directed to the Events Team via events@huntervalleydressage.com.

• Scratching prior to the closing date will receive a full refund automatically via Nominate.

• If the event is cancelled for any reason the Nominate admin fee will be retained for costs incurred by HVDA.

• Otherwise, a doctors or vet certificate must be provided to the Events Team within 72hrs of the conclusion of the event to receive a full refund.

Important Info for Competitors

Competitors must attend gear check with the steward after EACH test. Anybody who does not attend gear check will be eliminated, as per the EA rulebook. Our officials will do their best to remind you, however it is your responsibility to attend.

Dogs are NOT permitted on the grounds at any time (with the exception of registered assistance dogs).

Only horses that are entered for competition are permitted on the grounds. If you would like to bring a horse for experience (or a companion horse) but do not wish to compete, you must enter the horse for competition, with a note that you do not wish to ride the test. The horse will be placed on the draw in a reserve position only.

We recommend that competitors supply their own drinking water for horses as the supply for the wash bays is bore water. There has been an investigation (2015) in relation to chemical contamination of underground water in the Williamtown area, however we have been advised that the grounds are not within the contamination zone.

Please have consideration for other horses and riders in the warm-up area. Keep a minimum distance of 10m from competition arenas when warming up. Coaches are not to give instruction to riders in the area surrounding the arena.

Any incidents or accidents MUST be reported to the office and we have a dedicated first aid officer to provide assistance. We must file the necessary paperwork for all incidents, even if nobody was injured.

Approved helmets (with the necessary yellow EA tag) must be worn while riding. Please see the Gear Steward at the hut in front of the office before you ride if you require a tag.

All horses and ponies must wear their EA bridle number displayed on both sides of their bridle/saddlepad/halter at all times. Contact EA to obtain a bridle number.

Stallions must be ridden and handled by persons 18 years or older at all times.

Callers are allowed for all events except FEI.

Dressage tests and the rulebook are available from the EA website.

Preparatory Classes

These tests are designed for horses and riders just starting out in dressage. It is assumed that all riders in these tests are amateurs, therefore there is no specific AOR category in these tests.

Riders who have ridden Elementary or above must enter Preparatory tests as non-competitive.

Horses that have won a Preparatory test or placed in a higher level test must ride non-competitive.

Para/Equibility Test of Choice

Para and Equibility riders have the option to ride up to 2 tests of their choice in our Para/Equibility Test of Choice classes.

Please indicate with your entry the test you wish to ride; EA or FEI, which grade and which test.

Remember to supply any Para or Exemption cards required to our Events Team via events@huntervalleydressage.com. We will ensure these resources are available for our judges.