Any on-line dressage competition relies on people being honest! Please don’t enter Intro and Prelim classes if you have been out winning Novice classes as frankly it’s just not fair!
We also ask you not to use social media to ‘name and shame’ If you think someone is competing in lower level classes when they shouldn’t be. Instead, email the Just So team with your concern and we will investigate and act appropriately.
Lecture over. Here are the rules for our Virtual Dressage competition. Please read them carefully and if you are unsure about anything just email us as just-soequestrianevents@hotmail.com
1. Let’s start by saying the Judge’s decisions are final
2. No communication or discussion will be entered into by Just-So Equestrian Events, any of its representatives or the judge involved.
3. Tests will be ridden and will be judged under the rules of British Dressage. Each competitor will be posted their score sheets and rosettes (if applicable) once all entries have been judged.
4. Videos of tests must not have been recorded at any official non-virtual competition. Any video which is suspected of having been filmed during a non-virtual competition will not be accepted.
5. Your video MUST be verbally introduced by your camera person which should include rider and horse name, test being ridden and the month you are entering your video or your test will be judged HC. Any video which is suspected of having been filmed during another competition or submitted for another online competition will not be accepted. In these circumstances no refund will be offered. For this reason, if the rider is dressed in full competition turn out, then the horse or pony must wear boots or bandages on at least 2 legs
6. The person operating the video camera must stand outside of the arena behind the ‘C” marker so the rider enters the arena at ‘A’ riding towards the camera (judge). Arena letters must be clearly visible at all times during the recording.
7. Sound must be recorded to ensure competitors are not receiving coaching during their test
8. Guidance on riding and videoing your test be found by clicking HERE
9. Videos must be uploaded and saved to You Tube. before the competition closing date.
10. Ensure the link to your video is entered on the on-line entry form
11. It is the responsibility of the competitors to ensure that all persons appearing in the video have given their permission to be filmed.
12. If any competitor or person featured in the video is under the age of 16 years the consent of the parent/guardian must be obtained prior to the video being submitted.
13. If the quality of a video is considered too poor to be judged, the competitors will be given the opportunity to submit a further video without charge.
14. Copyright laws must be adhered to when submitting any video footage, photographs or printed material. Just-So Equestrian Events will not be liable for any costs incurred as a result of infringement of copyright laws by any competitor or third party.
15. Entries open on the 1st of every month and close on the last day of the month at midnight.
16. Any rider is free to register and enter a Just-So Equestrian Events Virtual Dressage competition.
17. Entering for Just-So Equestrian Events Virtual Dressage competitions constitutes acceptance of the rules of the competition.
18. Your video will be shared with our appointed judges.
19. Multiple videos may be submitted in a class (entry fee applicable for each video submitted) however only the highest scoring entry will be counted for a prize or rosette.
20. Just-So Equestrian Events reserves the right to refuse an entry without stating a reason.
21. Rosettes will be awarded up to and including 10th place in all classes.
22. The class winners’ video will be uploaded to our You Tube page and used on our Facebook page unless the competitor specifies otherwise.
23. Entry fees will not be refunded once an entry has been submitted.
24. Riders do not have to wear full show dress but must be smartly dressed. BSI standard hats are strongly advised.
25. The safety of the horse and rider is paramount at all times therefore gloves and suitable footwear with a heel must be worn for safety reasons.
26. Back protectors, air jackets and soft shell air jackets in any conservative, muted tone are permitted.
27. No sleeveless top, shorts or trainers are to be worn under any circumstances.
28. Bridles should be used as follows: ▪ For Introductory (Walk & Trot), Preliminary and Novice test – ordinary snaffles. ▪ For Elementary and Medium tests – ordinary snaffles or double bridle ▪ Bitless bridle test can be submitted but will be subject to a 2 mark penalty
29. Nosebands must be worn in all tests – drop, cavesson, grackle or flash with a snaffle or a cavesson with a double bridle.
30. Martingales, side, running or elasticised reins may not be used.
31. Neck straps or balancing straps (a loop on the front of the saddle) may be used at all levels in British Dressage tests. Cruppers are also allowed in British Dressage tests. Horse/pony may wear boots or bandages
32. Spurs and a whip may also be used where allowed under British Dressage rules.
33. No exercise fleeces or sheets to be worn
34. Commanders/callers may be used but any external verbal instruction given other than the test movements will result in elimination. Sound must be recorded to ensure competitors are not receiving coaching during their test
35. Trot, sitting or rising (or a mixture of both), may be ridden in all test including Elementary.
36. Errors. If a competitor make an error of course, i.e. takes the wrong turn, omits a movement etc. 2 marks will be deducted and if not re-ridden immediately there will be no mark for that movement.
37. Failure to salute as directed in a test will incur a penalty for the error. If 3 errors are made the competitor will be eliminated. Salutes should be made with reins and whip (if carried) in one hand and the free hand lowered to the rider’s side and the rider should nod their head.
