California Dressage Society

MISSION: The mission of these competitions is to provide an opportunity for all CDS Adult Amateur riders to qualify and compete against others of similar skills and experience. The regional nature of these shows will help to provide our membership with a developmental path for gaining competitive experience, promote excellence and increase awareness of and support for the Chapters.

#1 – For the Chapters: These regional or “mid” level adult amateur competitions are designed to promote and enhance awareness and participation by the CDS Chapters, provide State level support in funding and advertisement, and a chance to generate funds at the chapter level.

#2 – For the Riders: These competitions will provide a positive “introductory” show experience for some, which will hopefully be a stepping stone to bigger things, while offering the other more experienced amateur riders a warm-up for the Championship Show.

#3 – For the Whole Organization: These competitions are designed to bridge the gap between the local chapter shows with individual year end awards programs and the tremendously difficult, top caliber competition at the Annual CDS Championship Show.

LOCATIONS: Three Regional CDS Chapter Adult Amateur Competitions will be held each year, one in each of the regions as defined in the CDS bylaws; north, central and south.

Adult amateur competitors will pay a $25.00 fee per horse and rider team for each level entered. Payments will be made to the Central Office.

The fee can be paid at any time during the show year up to close of business 14 days prior to the first day of the show entered.

Scores earned before paying the fee will count provided the payment is received at the Central Office prior to close of business as specified above.

CONSIDER GETTING INVOLVED WITH CDS - RUN FOR THE CDS EXECUTIVE BOARD DECLARATION FORM

1. The Nominating committee is to be named by the CDS Board. It shall be the duty of this committee to present a list of nominees for all offices open for election to the Executive Board. The committee shall receive nominations from the Active Membership and shall, where necessary, nominate individuals for office. Nominations from the membership shall be made by submitting a petition to the nominations committee, signed by ten (10) Active Members.

2. Candidates to submit a Declaration of Intent to run for the CDS Board to one of the members of the Nominating Committee and indicate which position they are running for, i.e. Director at Large or Regional Director.

Along with this declaration should be the required petition with ten signatures of CDS members in good standing and a short biography to be published on the ballot.

4. Ballots are to be mailed to the membership as soon as the Central Office can accommodate the mailing and must be returned postmarked no later than September 30, 2009.

5. Ballots shall be counted five days after the postmark deadline by an independent CPA firm and the CDS Board President shall be notified.

Nominating Committee: Nancy Szakacs, Chair, Wendy Mattes, Brent Hicks, Peggy Hosking and Maureen Van Tuyl, Michele Ng.

The Northern Championship will be held AUG 6-9, 2009 at Murieta Equestrian Center, Rancho Murieta. Show Manager is Mary Schrader 415-479-3104, maryschrader227@aol.com. Judges will be MG Davidson, P Lacy, M Kessler, V Matisi, C Noelting and E Kane. The closing date is July 17 and the last day to qualify is August 2. Qualifying runs from August 4, 2008 to August 2, 2009.

The Southern Junior Young Rider Championship will be held AUG 21-23, 2009 at LAEC in Burbank, CA. Show Manager is Regina Antonioli 805-306-1885, eqconcepts@earthlink.net Closing date is July 24 and the last day to qualify is August 16. Qualifying runs from August 15, 2008 to August 16, 2009.

To be held October 1-4, 2009 at Murieta Equestrian Center, Rancho Murieta, CA, in conjunction with the USDF / Great American Insurance Group Region 7 Finals. Cutoff date to qualify is August 29, 2009.

Judges: Cara Whitham, Anne Gribbons, Linda Zang, Sarah Geike, Jeanne McDonald, Sandra Hotz, Marilyn Payne, Bill Solyntjes and more.

New qualifying requirements include lower percentage at Training Level, 64% for Amateurs and 66% for Open Riders; all First Level Tests to count toward qualifying; PSG and INT-1 now only require 3 scores from 2 judges.

The Young Rider Team test will be equivalent to Fourth Level. The Prix St. Georges Freestyle that is ridden only by Young Riders will count toward Fourth Level Freestyle. The FEI Junior Team and Individual tests will count toward Third Level. The FEI Junior Freestyles will count toward Third Level Freestyle. USEF will award ribbons to the top six riders in each USEF Dressage Seat Equitation semifinals class. The champion and reserve champion will receive special certificates and medals of recognition and will be invited to compete in the 2009 Medal Final. A trophy will be awarded to the champion.Complete guidelines.