Events - 2024
Saturday 11 May
Protocol Day
Our members are invited to polish their skills with an A-level judge Catharina Corten in our Protocol Arena. Get advice to maximise your marks.
Sunday 12 May
Official and Closed Restricted Competition
Para/Equibility Test of Choice
This competition event has a mix of Official and Closed Restricted tests, from Preparatory through to Grand Prix, including Para/Equibility Test of Choice.
Sunday 21 July
Official and Closed Restricted Competition
Lois Howe Memorial Prix St Georges Challenge
This competition event will have a mix of Official and Closed Restricted tests, from Preparatory through to Grand Prix.
In memory of founding club member and dedicated volunteer Lois Howe, we award prizemoney to the highest scoring entrants at PSG level.
Saturday 14 September
Closed Restricted Championships
Members from Preparatory to Novice level compete for our Closed Restricted Championship prizes, thanks to our many amazing sponsors.
Sunday 15 September
Official Championships
The Hunter Valley Dressage Championships with Official classes from Preliminary to FEI Big Tour. Prizes are awarded across Junior, Youth, AOR, Pony and Open categories, courtesy of our generous sponsors.
Saturday 23 November
Young Horse Competition
Protocol Day
Our first Young Horse competition of the season will show us the next crop of talented future dressage stars. We look forward to witnessing the start of some amazing dressage careers.
Members are also invited to come and train with one of our amazing judges. Ride a test of your choice and receive feedback on areas for improvement.
Sunday 24 November
Members T-Shirt Day
We round out the year with one final T-Shirt Day, just for members. These days are relaxed and supportive, and we are always grateful for the amazing atmosphere.
Entry info
Before the day of competition, please check the website or Facebook page regularly for any changes or cancelations due to adverse weather conditions (including exceptionally hot weather).
You must be a member of either EA or HVDA to be eligible to compete. Members Only events are for HVDA members only. All details on the entry form MUST be complete (it is the competitor’s responsibility to ensure correct and accurate information is provided when entering) and full payment of entries is required. When a test is oversubscribed a reserve list is formed.
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 maxiumum of 6 tests per day.
Class Categories:
Official Competitive (OC): Horse owner and rider require EA competitor membership and full horse registration. Must meet State competition licence requirements.
Closed Restricted (CR): Entry is only open to members of Hunter Valley Dressage Association. EA membership and horse registration are not mandatory.
Competitor Categories:
Competitors must nominate their intention to compete in one of these categories at time of entry.
Open: Competitors may enter the Open category when riding a horse exceeding 149cm with shoes, or 148cm without shoes.
Pony: Ponies must not exceed 149cm with shoes (148 without shoes). All EA registered ponies can enter any Closed Restricted or Official Competitive tests. Non-EA registered ponies can enter any Closed Restricted test.
Junior: Competitors may enter in the Junior category from the start of the calendar year they turn 8 years of age when riding a pony, or from the start of the calendar year they turn 10 years of age when riding a horse. Competitors may compete as a Junior up to the age of 16yrs and may continue to compete for the remainder of the calendar year in which they turn 16yrs e.g. if you turn 16yrs on 1st August 2022, you may continue to compete as Junior for the rest of the 2022 calendar year. During the 2023 calendar year you would then compete as Youth. Junior competitors can enter any Closed Restricted or Official Competitive tests provided they meet the criteria.
Youth: Entrants in Youth category must be 16yrs and under the age of 21yrs on the day of competition, however may continue to compete for the remainder of the calendar year in which they turn 21yrs e.g. if you turn 21yrs on 1st August 2022 you may continue to compete as Youth for the rest of the 2022 calendar year. Youth competitors can enter any Closed Restricted or Official Competitive tests provided they meet the criteria.
Adult Amateur Owner Rider (AOR): Junior/Youth competitors are not eligible to compete as AAOR (for further information please refer to EA rules).
A liability waiver must be completed. Your acceptance confirms that each entered rider has read and accepted the conditions.
Preparatory classes are designed for horses and riders just starting out in the discipline of dressage. Riders who have ridden Elementary or above must enter a Preparatory test as non-competitive. Horses that have won a Preparatory Test or placed in a higher level test must ride non-competitive.
Reserve lists will not be in any particular order on the draw. Riders must contact the Events Team to see if they can move from reserved list into the competition draw. No competitor will be placed on the reserve list until their entry and payment is received.
Ribbons will be awarded to 6th place and will be available upon request only. Special awards or prizes will be awarded at our annual Championship event and yearly Pointscore presentation.
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. If the event is cancelled for any reason the admin fee will be retained for costs incurred by HVDA. For late scratchings a doctors or vet certificate no later than 24hrs after the event is required to receive a credit. After entries have closed, horses nominated may be changed up to 72hrs prior to competition. Riders may be changed up until the time the horse competes in its first event.
Dogs are NOT permitted on the grounds at any time on (with the exception of registered assistance dogs).
Only horses that are entered for competition should be on the grounds. For insurance reasons, horses/ponies that are not entered for competition should not be on the grounds. If you would like to bring a horse for experience or bring 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 horse not being ridden will be placed on the draw in a reserve position only.
The water supply for the wash bays and taps located near the yards is bore water. There has been an investigation (Oct/Nov 2015) in relation to chemical contamination of underground water in the Williamtown area. We have been advised that the grounds are not within the contamination zone. However, due to the unpalatable nature of bore water, it is recommended that all competitors supply their own drinking water for their horses.
Please have consideration for the other horses and riders in the warm-up area. Riding at excessive speeds can cause disruption to other riders and horses. Competitors must 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.
Please report any incidents or accidents to the office.
Approved helmets must be worn. All helmets must be checked and tagged by 1 July 2022. The onus is on the rider to comply with these standards.
Please note that all horses and ponies must wear an EA bridle number all day at any competition whether competing in Official or Closed Restricted classes. The number must be displayed on both sides of the bridle or saddle cloth during warm up and competition and on both sides of the head collar when the horse is tied up, being led or lunged. You can contact EA to obtain a bridle number.
Colts or stallions are not permitted to be ridden by riders under 18 years of age. Likewise, the handlers of colts or stallions must be 18 years or older.
Callers are allowed for all events except FEI.
At T-Shirt Day events, riders, horses and equipment should be as per standard dress codes for competition with the exception of wearing a jacket. Polo shirts are permissible. Attire should be of a pale colour.
Please refer to the EA Rules regarding Dressage Grading Points.
Copies of dressage tests are available from the EA website.