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The Seahorse Circuit
Seahorse Dressage Competitions are recognized member competitions of Equine Canada (EC) and the Nova Scotia Equestrian Federation (NSEF). Seahorse competitions are Bronze or Gold competitions governed by the Rules of Equine Canada, and specifically Section E – Dressage. Competitors are eligible for provincial awards based on points accumulated at Seahorse competitions.
The Seahorse Dressage Circuit
The Seahorse Dressage Circuit is an EC provincial circuit governed by the Rules of EC, but administered within the province of Nova Scotia through the Board of Directors of R.I.D.E.R.S. The Seahorse Dressage Circuit is intended to provide recognized provincial dressage competitions that allow competitors to earn provincially recognized awards.
Seahorse Dressage competitions use EC accredited officials and are conducted in accordance with the EC Competition Administration Policy as it applies to Bronze or Gold Competitions. EC national awards and championship points are not earned at Seahorse competitions. All changes to rules and policy are approved by R.I.D.E.R.S. Any organizations may propose a competition for inclusion in the circuit. These competitions must be a Bronze or Gold sanctioned event and should be organized in accordance with this Handbook. Upon completion of the event a report must be submitted to R.I.D.E.R.S. as outlined below.
A Seahorse Development Fund fee of $3.00 per competitor is levied at all competitions to cover the costs of awards, championships, the Handbook, and the administration of this Circuit. Seahorse Awards will be made in accordance with the EC Dressage Levels in the categories Open, Adult Amateur and Junior. EC Freestyle classes are also included in the computation of points.
Seahorse Circuit Rules
EC Rules will apply to Seahorse Circuit competitions; competitors are responsible for knowledge of the Rules. The Rules are available at www.equinecanada.ca for free download.
Memberships
Competitors competing on the Seahorse Circuit must be R.I.D.E.R.S members. Membership forms can be obtained from the website: http://www.dressageridersns.ca/ or by contacting [email protected]. Competitors must also have a Bronze or Gold competition license.
Seahorse Dressage Awards
Each horse/rider combination is tracked separately and must compete in the same class level in a minimum of two competitions in one season to be eligible. Individual competitions may also award competition high points. It is the responsibility of the Competition Secretary to verify the Amateur status of competitors and to report results to the Seahorse Administrator for points tabulation.
Seahorse Dressage Level Championships Awards
Level champion awards are based upon the score achieved by the horse and rider combination’s three best percentages totaled. The three percentages must be achieved at the same level at a minimum of two separate qualifying shows and at least two different judges during the same calendar competition year. Scratches, No Shows, and Hors de Concour entries are NOT counted. The Champion awards are available to those competing in Training level and higher. To be eligible for a year end award there must be a minimum of 4 competitors at that level over the competition season.
Seahorse Circuit Dressage Champion Award
The Seahorse Champion and Reserve Champion awards are presented to the Horse and Rider combination who achieve the highest score in all of the eligible levels. It is based upon the score achieved by the horse and rider combination’s three best percentages totaled. The three percentages must be achieved at the same level at a minimum of two separate qualifying shows and at least two different judges during the same calendar competition year. Scratches, No Shows, and Hors de Concour entries are NOT counted. The Champion awards are available to those competing in Training level and higher.
Seahorse Dressage Achievement Awards
Annual Individual Awards of Achievement, as detailed below, will be awarded to the horse/rider combination that has competed in at least two (2) different Seahorse competitions during a season. The score accumulation begins at the first Seahorse competition of the season and ends at the last competition of the Seahorse competition season. Scores can be accumulated only during one season, and must be achieved at the same level at a minimum of two separate qualifying shows and at least two different judges. The awards are open to all competitors competing at any level.
Bronze Pin: Awarded when a rider has received 3 scores of 58% or better at the same level.
Silver Pin: Awarded when a rider has received 3 scores of 63% or better at the same level.
Gold Pin: Awarded when a rider has received 3 scores of 68% or better at the same level.
Reporting of Points and Scores
Competition Secretaries must forward complete results to R.I.D.E.R.S immediately upon conclusion of the competition. The report must include rider, rider category, horse, competition name and date, class, test, score, placing, and number of entries in the class. The report must be sent to [email protected]