Windsor-Essex CADORA
Show Guide
Hello and welcome to the Windsor-Essex CADORA Show Guide. In this document, you will find answers to those questions that riders have. Please note that this document does not replace a close reading of the Equine Canada Rule book. The rulebookis the final authority on what is and is not allowed/required!
What do I need?
First, you will need to decide which level you would like to show.
The Windsor-Essex CADORA is currently offering shows at the Bronze and Schooling Levels.
Show Level / Mandatory Requirements / Optional MembershipsBronze / 1.Equine Canada: Bronze Sport License
2.OEF Membership / 1.Dressage Canada
2.CADORA Ontario
3.W-E CADORA
Schooling / 1.OEF – Highly recommended
2. Dressage Canada
3. CADORA Ontario
4. W-E CADORA
LEVELS AND DIVISIONS RECOGNIZED FOR AWARDSBY W-E CADORA
Windsor-Essex CADORA Membership is required to qualify
Lead Line Division
• This level is for beginner riders in dressage
• The division consists of a dressage test and an equitation class
• This level open to riders of all ages, but is not divided into senior and junior divisions
• Tests are to be ridden in a 20x40m arena (if indoors, approximately 20x40m)
• Test requirements will include only walk, trot and halt
• The tests used are Windsor-Essex CADORA 2014 Lead Line tests
• Participants may have a leader or a spotter with them during their class
Pre-Starter Level
• This level is divided into senior and junior divisions
• This level is for beginner riders in dressage
• Tests are to be ridden in a 20x40m arena (if indoors, approximately 20x40m)
• Test requirements will include only walk, trot and halt
• The tests used are Windsor-Essex CADORA 2014 Pre-Starter tests
• Riders will be permitted to remain at the Pre-Starter level for their first two years of competition unless they achieve scores of 65% or more in three or more shows in their first year, in which case they shall be required to move up to Starter level
Starter Level
• This level is divided into senior and junior divisions
• This level is for beginner riders in dressage
• Tests are to be ridden in a 20x40m arena (if indoors, approximately 20x40m)
• Test requirements will include only walk, trot and halt
• The tests used are Windsor-Essex CADORA 2014 walk/trot tests
• Riders will be permitted to remain at the starter level for their first two years of competition unless they achieve scores of 65% or more in three or more shows in their first year, in which case they shall be required to move up to Preliminary level
Green Horse Division
• This division is for horses in their first year of competition in any discipline.
• This division is divided into senior and junior divisions
• Tests are to be ridden in a 20x40m arena (if indoors, approximately 20x40m)
• Test requirements will include walk trot and halt
• The tests used are Windsor-Essex CADORA 2014 walk/trot tests.
• Riders in the Starter division may not show a green horse
Preliminary Level
• This level is divided into Senior and Junior divisions
• This level is for riders having completed Starter and horses having completed Green but are not yet
ready for Training Level. If the Starter Rider or Green Horse has competed in training level, they are not
eligible for this division.
• Tests are can be ridden in a 20 x 40m (if indoors, approximately 20 x 40m) or 20 x 60m arena
• Tests used are the Windsor-Essex CADORA 2014Preliminary Level tests.
• Test requirements include halt, walk, trot and canter
Training Level
• This level is divided into senior and junior divisions
• The objective of this level is to confirm that the horse’s muscles are supple and loose, and that it moves freely forward in clear and steady rhythm, accepting contact with the bit.
• Tests used are the Windsor-Essex CADORA 2014 Training Level tests.
First Level
• This level is divided into senior and junior divisions
• The objective of this level is to confirm that the horse, in addition to the requirements of Training level, has developed thrust (pushing power) and achieved a degree of balance and throughness.
• Tests used are the Windsor-Essex CADORA 2014 First Level tests.
Second Level
• This level is NOT divided into senior and junior divisions
• The objective of this level is to confirm that the horse now shows it accepts more weight on its hindquarters (collection), shows the thrust required at medium paces and is reliably on the bit. A greater degree of straightness, bending, suppleness, throughness, and self-carriage is required than at First Level.
• Tests used are the Windsor-Essex CADORA 2014 Second Level tests.
Third Level
• This level is NOT divided into senior and junior divisions
• The objective of this level is to confirm that the horse now demonstrates in each movement and in transitions to and from movements, rhythm, suppleness, acceptance of the bit, throughness, impulsion, straightness, and collection. There must be a clear distinction between the paces.
• Tests used are the Windsor-Essex CADORA 2014 Third Level tests.
Fourth Level
• This level is NOT divided into senior and junior divisions
• The objective of this level is to confirm that the horse has achieved a high degree of suppleness, impulsion, throughness, balance and lightness, while always remaining reliably on the bit, and that its movements are straight, energetic and cadenced with the transitions precise and smooth.
• Tests used are the Windsor-Essex CADORA 2014 Fourth Level tests.
FREESTYLES
• Freestyles may be ridden at any level.
• A score of 55% must be achieved in a technical test, before a horse/rider combination may enter a free-style
• Requirements for each level of freestyles are found in the National Omnibus
• A horse/rider combination may ride only one freestyle level at any given show.
• If a rider is riding tests in 2 consecutive levels, she/he may choose to ride the freestyle of either level.
CADORA-Ontario Bronze Awards
To be eligible for annual CADORA-Ontario BRONZE awards, a competitor must:
- be a CADORA-Ontario member by June 1st of the current year and
- compete in the same class/level in a minimum of three (3) BRONZE competitions during the calendar year (January 1st – December 31st).
1st and 2nd placings are awarded in each class level and category (Open/Amateur/Junior), Walk/Trot through Fourth Level including freestyles. Additional placings, up to a maximum of eight, are awarded based on the number of eligible competitors at each level. Five eligible competitors are required for each additional award. [An eligible competitor is a CADORA-Ontario member who has competed in a minimum of three Bronze competitions].
Award winners are decided by totalling the three highest scores received by each horse/rider combination from three different Bronze dressage competitions during the calendar year (January 1st to December 31st).
A minimum score of 55% of the possible total must be achieved for a competitor to be eligible to receive an award.
Scores from Bronze competitors will be submitted to the BRONZE Coordinator immediately following the competition by the show secretary. Scores at Walk/Trot and Training Levels can be obtained from tests ridden in either the 20x40 ring or the 20x60 ring.
Year-End CADORA-Ontario BRONZE award winners will be honoured at the Annual General Meeting of CADORA-Ontario.
What Do I Wear? What Tack is Acceptable?
Don’t worry, you do not need to go out and purchase special Dressage show clothes or new tack to participate!
For the Rider
A dark jacket, lighter coloured breeches, show shirt with a stock tie or choker and gloves in black or white. Long hair should be tied back or in a hair net.
All riders must wear an ASTM/SEI or BSI/BSEN approved helmet at all times when mounted.
Dark coloured riding boots (plain, laced or with zippers), or dark coloured half chaps or half boots zipped over short boots may be worn.
In the case of inclement weather, riders may elect to wear a warm or waterproof overcoat and hat cover. In extreme heat or humidity, the judge may permit competitors to ride without jackets. Competitors must wear regulation hat and solid white long or short-sleeved shirt. Stock tie must not be worn.
Spurs must be made of metal. The shank must be either curved or straight pointing directly back from the centre of the spur when on the rider’s boot. The arms of the spur must be smooth. Metal spurs with round hard plastic knobs are allowed (impulse spur).
Whips must be at a maximum (including the lash) of 120cm for horses and 100cm for ponies.
Full details can be found in Section E of the Equine Canada 2014Rulebook.
For the Horse
Well fitting English saddle in either black or brown. Dressage, Close Contact, AP, even Jump saddles are OK. They may be leather or synthetic.
Well fitted English bridle with a regular cavesson, dropped noseband, flash, figure 8 or crescent noseband. Reins must be brown or black.
Be careful about your bit—only certain types are allowed in the dressage ring. Generally, a plain snaffle or jointed mouthpieces (French link) are permitted. Dr Bristol and twisted mouthpieces are prohibited. There is a great chart in the 2014 Equine Canada Dressage Rulebook showing all permitted bits. If your bit is not listed, it is not permitted.
Your horse should be braided and clean. The type of braid is not important as hunter, button and running braids are all permitted.
Boots or wraps may be worn in competitions as well as in the warm-up.
Breastplates and girth covers are allowed, as are fly veils and nose nets for ‘head shakers’
Earplugs, blinkers, seat covers, bit guards, bit wraps, balancing reins or side reins are all prohibited.
Running martingales may be used in the warm-up but not in classes.
Horses may be lunged in the lunge ring with side-reins when not mounted.
Use this hyperlink to access the full rules: Dressage Rules are in Section E
How Do I Enter?
Entry forms are available on our website. They are due to the scheduler NO LATER than 6:00pm the Friday 1 week BEFORE the competition. Exact entry deadlines will be published on the website as well.
Mail or deliver your entry to the show secretary (address is on entry form). If you are mailing it, give it lots of time to get there. Don’t mail it on a Wednesday and expect it to arrive before the deadline. Many riders have been disappointed when their entries have arrived late.
How Do I Find Out My Ride Time?
Ride times are posted no later than the Wednesday before the show. You will see a link to them on our Website when they are posted.
What Do I Do When I Arrive?
We suggest that you arrive a minimum of 1 hr (even earlier if you can) before your first scheduled test. This will give you time to be registered and warmed up before you enter the ring.
Follow the signs that will take you to the Trailer Parking Area
Go to our registration desk . You will be handed a competition number. This number must be returned at the end of your classes to receive your tests.
Place your competition number on the browband of your bridle. It must be on your horse at all times when mounted, even in the warm-up ring.
Warming Up
Proceed to the warm-up ring and get yourself and your horse loosened up. Check the schedule sheets posted to confirm your ride time and which ring you are in. It is also a good idea to be aware of who is riding before you so that you are not rushed at the last minute.
If you would like to lunge, you must do so in the designated area. Please limit yourself to 10 minutes if others are waiting.
In the ring, be aware of your surroundings and give green horses and beginning riders the right of way. Pass left to left, keep slower work to the inside of the ring and ask your coach must stay outside of the fence.
The ring steward will call riders in the order of show. When your number is called for ‘On Deck’, you should get ready to leave the warm-up area and wait in the on deck area outside of the fenced area of the rings.
You do not have to show until your designated time. If the show is ahead of schedule and you are ready, you can show earlier than scheduled.
Show Time!
Wait outside the fenced ring area until the previous rider is exiting the ring.
At this point, you can enter the outer ring area (NOT INSIDE THE RING!) and warm up some more.
Once the bell (or whistle) has rung, signalling you that the Judge is ready, you have 45 seconds to enter the ring and begin your test.
A reader is permitted at all shows . Readers must stand outside of the ring and typically stand at ‘E’ or ‘B’. Readers are not provided and must be arranged by you.
You cannot change the fences in the ring. If the gate is open, it must remain open for all riders. If it is to be closed, a volunteer will be posted.
Following your class, immediately exit the ring area.
Competition Etiquette
Here are some basic unwritten rules at a Dressage Competition.
Scratches if you must scratch from a class or the competition, please call the show secretary, tell a fellow competitor, or volunteer to notify the secretary at the show. When the show is not notified, many volunteers will be looking for you.
Retiring from the ring If your horse is misbehaving or comes up lame in the ring forcing you to retire, stop, face the judge and salute; then proceed to leave the ring.
People Areas Walk your horse through these areas. There are a lot of non-horse people and children in these areas. If your horse makes a mess, please clean up after him/her.
Cancellations may be made up until the closing date of the competition with no penalty. After the closing date, a veterinary or medical certificate (on official letterhead) is required for entry fees to be refunded. The veterinary or medical certificate must be presented within 15 days of the cancelled competition in order to receive a refund. If you are unable to compete for other reasons, entry fees cannot be refunded.
Windsor-Essex CADORA regrets that refunds cannot be issued for classes cancelled due to inclement weather conditions. We hope this answers most of your questions about our shows and that you will come out and have some fun.
We hope this answers most of your questions about our shows and that you will come out and have some fun!