Recognized Shows 

USEF & USDF Membership Requirements - Simplified 

By Mary Lou Gallagher

Recognized shows can be an expensive proposition so I am going to offer 3 approaches to meeting USEF and USDF Membership Requirements:  an inexpensive way, a reasonable way, and a “let’s go for it all” way.   We’ll start in the middle, the way most riders take.   This article hopefully will answer many of your own questions. 

1.      For riders who plan to attend two or more Recognized Shows, but are not interested in qualifying for the Regional Championships, here’s what you need to do.

a.   Join USEF.  Annual membership fees for the USEF have dropped in the last few years to $55 while USEF non-member fees per show have risen to $30.  Simple math will tell you that two non-member fees will cost more than the membership itself.  An added bonus for amateur riders is that the USEF Amateur Card comes free with the membership—and you must have an Amateur Card to enter any class designated as “adult amateur.”   NOTE:  As of 2014, only active USEF members may obtain Amateur status.

b.   Join NODA (or any of the other Group Member Organizations of the USDF).  Part of your NODA membership fees pay for a USDF Group Membership (a USDF requirement). This group membership allows you to participate in USEF/USDF recognized shows without paying a USDF non-membership fee ($25 per show).   Group members can still submit their scores for the USDF Rider Award programs such as Rider Performance awards or the Bronze Medal.

c.   Get a USDF HID.  A USDF HID (Horse Identification Number) is needed to enter all recognized dressage shows.  If your horse already has a USDF HID or lifetime number registered in your name, you do not have to do anything more.  If your horse has never been registered with the USDF, you can file the HID application online. It is a one-time fee of $25 and the number will stay with the horse for its lifetime,   If, however, your horse has already been registered by a previous owner, you will have to transfer the ownership to your own name after  providing some proof of the new ownership.  (Go to the USDF website and search for the “Transfer of Ownership” form.  It might take over a month to get the HID certificate back, so plan on doing this early.)

d.   Get a USEF HID.  Although you do not need a USEF HID number for your horse at a dressage show, I would still suggest getting one. When you enter a recognized show, you need to provide proof of all your memberships. The simplest way is printing out a USEF/USDF master verification sheet—and it is much easier if your horse has both USEF and USDF numbers. If your horse has not been registered already with the USEF, you can apply for a USEF HID online for free. If your horse has been registered already by a prior owner, you may not use that number until you have registered a transfer of ownership with the USEF.  (More on the master verification sheet at a later date!)

e.   Owners and Riders.  If you are not the owner of the horse you are showing, then the owner must have the same USEF/USDF memberships listed above (or pay the non-member fees) and the horse must have a USDF HID in the name of the actual owner.  One word of advice, only the owner may sign a Transfer of Ownership form.  If two or more people own the horse, only one of the owners must be a member to avoid paying the non-member fees. When filling out an entry form, make sure you list the owner who is the member. 

a.   Join the USEF.  Non-members may not attempt to qualify for Regionals.

b.   Apply for a participating membership in the USDF. A group membership does not make you eligible to qualify.

c.   Get a USDF lifetime registration for the horse.  If your horse already has a HID, then you only have to pay for the upgrade.  The horse number itself will remain the same—just the status has changed.

d.   Get either a USEF Annual or lifetime recording for the horse.  The free USEF HID above is not valid for regional championships. 

e.   Owners and Riders. If you are not the owner of the horse, then the owner must have the same USEF/USDF memberships that you have. The owner must also have the horse listed with both the USEF and USDF.

f.    Region Championships   If you had not originally planned to qualify for the Regionals and later change your mind, you can always apply for the USDF participating membership on line as well as upgrade your USEF and/or USDF HID numbers. Another way is to contact the show secretary about filling out the necessary forms when you get to the show.  Remember though-- if a transfer of ownership must be filed at the show, then the owner must be present to sign the form.

3. Opportunity Classes  One relatively inexpensive choice now exists for the riders who do not want to spend lots of money this year but want the chance to participate in the recognized shows.  The way to avoid membership and/or HID fees would be to sign up for only Opportunity Classes.  These classes must have the word “Opportunity” in the title.  When you enter only Opportunity Classes, you are exempt from all non-member and horse registration fees.  The downside of the Opportunity classes is that the results will not count for any USEF or USDF award programs.  The NODA Board, however, has voted to allow these score to be used for schooling show awards.   USEF Level 1, 2, and 3 competitions are permitted to offer a limited number Opportunity Classes from Introductory to Second Level, including Rider Tests (new in 2017).    The Level of USEF Competition determines which Levels/Tests may be offered.      

This is a simplified version of all the USDF and USEF requirements for competing at Recognized Shows.  
If you have a specific question that cannot be answered from the information above,  please refer to the USEF Rulebook and/or the USDF website.