Lexington, Ky. – April 21, 2020 – US Equestrian has announced updates to the qualifying requirements for the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions and the Markel Young and Developing Horse National Championships, set to take place August 18-23 at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois.
In a statement issued by US Equestrian on April 17: “We understand that our dressage community continues to feel the impact of the COVID-19 developments. We thank you for your patience as we sort through the day-to-day updates and how this affects qualifying for the 2020 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. Due to the shortened qualifying period for the 2020 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, this preliminary information is provided to assist you with your competition planning upon the restart of the competition calendar. Please remember that these updates to the qualifying requirements are based upon any decisions made due to the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore subject to change.”
Based upon the current recommendations of the USEF Dressage Sport Committee, the USEF Board of Directors or an Ad Hoc Selection Group approved by the USEF Board of Directors approved the following updates:
• Entries are still due to USEF on or before May 12, 2020, however, the original late entry fee of $150 is decreased to $50 for applications received after May 12 but on or before June 16, 2020.
Regarding qualifying scores:
• Youth Divisions including FEI Pony, Children, Junior and Young Riders: The minimum amount of qualifying scores decreased from three Team Tests and three Individual Tests, to only one Team Test and One Individual Test with their division’s respected qualifying score. The highest score in the Team Test and the highest score earned in the Individual Test will be used to calculate the athlete/horse or athlete/pony combination’s overall average. All remaining scores will be dropped and not calculated in the overall average.
• Brentina Cup Division: The minimum amount of qualifying scores decreased from two scores of the FEI Grand Prix 16-25 and two scores of the FEI Intermediate II to only one score required from the FEI Grand Prix 16-25 and one score from the FEI Intermediate II. The freestyle requirement was removed completely. The highest score earned in the FEI Grand Prix 16-25 and the highest score earned in the FEI Intermediate II will be used to calculate the athlete/horse combination’s overall average. All remaining scores will be dropped and not calculated in the overall average.
• Intermediate I Division: At least one score must be earned in the current edition of the FEI Prix St. Georges and at least one score must be earned in the current edition of the FEI Intermediate I. The freestyle requirement was removed completely. The highest score earned in the FEI Prix St. Georges and the highest score earned in the FEI Intermediate I will be used to calculate the athlete/horse combination’s overall average. All remaining scores will be dropped and not calculated in the overall average.
• Young Horse and Developing Horse Divisions: Horses must obtain one qualifying score in their respective age division. The highest score earned in the athlete and horse’s respective test will be used to calculate the combination’s overall average. All remaining scores will be dropped and not calculated in the overall average.
• Grand Prix Division: At least one score must be earned in the current edition of the FEI Grand Prix and at least one score must be earned in the current edition of the FEI Grand Prix Special. The freestyle requirement was removed completely. The highest score earned in the FEI Grand Prix and the highest score earned in the FEI Grand Prix Special will be used to calculate the athlete/horse’s combination’s overall average. All remaining scores will be dropped and not calculated in the overall average.
Check out the official documents here.