Victorian Dressage Development Squad

ABOUT

The Dressage Victoria Development Squad is designed to be a pathway into the Hygain Victorian High Performance Dressage Squad and to offer training and education opportunities for combinations who have achieved specific performance goals throughout the previous 12 month period, but who are not yet eligible for Senior Squad selection.

AIMS

Provide a platform for horse and rider combinations to regularly access top class dressage instruction
Provide a holistic approach to the athlete’s competition preparation by delivery complimentary education in all facets of the sport including horse management, ASADA, media and psychology
Develop a sense of camaraderie and professionalism in the Victorian team
Provide a pathway to the Dressage High Performance Squads

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION BEFORE APPLYING ONLINE.

QUALIFYING PERIOD

Eligible scores will be taken from the preceding 12 months, i.e. For the July 2024 intake, eligible scores will be from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024, and for the December 2024 intake, from 11 December 2023 (after the Dressage Festival) to 09 December 2024.

GENERAL SELECTION CRITERIA

Selection is per horse and rider combination who have attained qualifying scores.
Horses and riders must be sound and fit to satisfy competition standards. If this situation changes during the year the Committee must be advised of these changes as soon as possible. If the horse or rider becomes unfit to compete due to injury or illness or other causes, the rider must contact the Squad Selectors with an anticipated recovery time and regularly communicate progress.
Riders must be Australian citizens or permanent residents and must be eligible to represent Victoria if requested. Riders must be permanent residents of Victoria.
Riders must be current financial members of Equestrian Victoria.
No freestyle scores are eligible.
No HC scores are eligible.
Horses and ponies are eligible for selection.
Riders must agree to fully participate in squad activities as per the signed Squad agreement.
Riders will be asked to sign the Victorian Dressage Development Squad Athlete's Agreement upon approval of their application to indicate their acceptance.
In the case where a rider or owner of the horse qualified does not comply with the Victorian Dressage Development Squad Selection Criteria, Athlete's Agreement, Equestrian Australia rules, regulations and guidelines, including Athlete Anti-doping and Equine Anti-doping and Controlled Medication policies, during the selection period, this combination will not be eligible for Squad selection for a period of 12 months after the date of the sanction against them.
Failure to attend the minimum number of Squad training dates will result in riders being ineligible to re-appy for the squad for the following 12mth period.

SELECTION PROCESS 

To be eligible, riders must meet the following criteria:

3 best percentages from 2 different OPEN EA competitions, equal to or above the minimum qualification percentage (see below).
3 scores from the same level OR qualifying scores from the graded level and the level above will be accepted. For example: 1 Elementary score of 68%+ and 1 Medium score 67%
Scores must be achieved from a minimum of 2 different qualifying competitions

QUALIFYING COMPETITIONS

Scores from all Official Dressage Competitions run under EA regulations will be accepted

QUALIFYING PERCENTAGES

EA - Elementary	68% and over
EA - Medium/Advanced	67% and over
FEI Small Tour	65% and over
FEI Mediium Tour	62% and over
FEI Big Tour	60% and over
Young Horse	7.2 and over