Last update:

07/26/2007

SWDC Pony Championship Qualifying Information Tips

1. Qualifying Division  A competitor must qualify in the division you intend to ride in the championship show. Therefore if you intend to ride in the open division the show results from the qualifying show must say that you were in the open division. If you want to ride in the amateur division you must receive qualifying scores from an amateur class. This is different from the way USDF does their championship qualifying. The rule is done this way because SWDC allows a competitor to compete in more than one division, unlike USDF.

2. Multiple Division Qualifying Scores can only count for one division. Two open qualifying scores will only allow you to ride in the open class. They will not allow you to ride in the Adult Amateur Class also. You will need to get two Adult Amateur qualifying scores also.

3. Pony Qualifying and Qualifying in another division  If you want to ride in the pony Training level or First level championship and the Training or First level championship in another division such as JR/YR, for instance, you will need to have four scores. You will need two scores at the 56% for the pony and two at the 59% for JR/YR.

4. Pony Qualifying  Due to the fact that most shows do not offer separate pony classes you may have to qualify in a regular open, AA or JR/YR class.  If you are intending to ride to qualify for the pony championship class you need to let the qualifying show secretary know that you are trying to qualify pony so that the secretary reports these classes as pony qualifying scores. You must declare that it is a pony qualifying ride before you ride the test.

5. Pony Measurement. You do not have to have a pony measurement card before you enter the championships. You will be measured at the SWDC championships. If your pony is in fact over 148cm (149cm shod) you will not be allowed to ride in the pony class even if qualified. If you have a pony card mail a copy with your entry to compete in pony classes. A USEF Hunter Pony card is acceptable if it shows you as 14.2h or under; you do not have to be measured again for a Dressage pony card.

6. Qualifying Divisions for Freestyle and Pony  FEI Freestyle, Freestyle 1-4, Pony Training level and Pony First level classes are all open divisions in the SWDC Championship. These are the only open division SWDC class in which you are allowed to qualify with JR/YR, Adult Amateur, or Open scores.

7. Arena Size  Riders must ride any qualifying test in a standard 20m x 60m arena.

8. Freestyle Qualifying  For Freestyle qualifying scores you no longer have to qualify at the corresponding level the same year. This means you can ride in the Freestyle first-fourth championship class without qualifying and riding in the same level as your freestyle. 

9. Qualified Rider List  Because a human inputs the scores and because some show secretaries are very slow sending in results, if you do not find yourself listed on the website  ( www.swdressage.org ) as qualified by 30 days after the show email the qualifying secretary and see what is wrong. 

10.Qualifying Certificates If you find your name listed as qualifying on the SWDC website and do not receive a qualifying certificate, send an email to the qualifying secretary with your current mailing address. If you change your address during the show season email the SWDC qualifying secretary your new address. You need to do this because some show secretaries do not send in the rider addresses,

For more information please contact Sarah Jane Martin, the Qualifying Secretary at SWDC, at qualifying@swdressage.org