USPEA is pleased to announce the 2019-2020 virtual, Para Dressage Judging Program. To kick off the pilot program, one FEI Para 3* International Judge, Adrienne Pot, has graciously agreed to view your videos and provide official score sheets for each test entered.

The Para Dressage Virtual judging program is the first step in tackling the huge geographical

challenge in the US. It takes ongoing monitoring and regular assessment to improve performance in any sport, and we trust this great opportunity provided to you by USPEA will encourage you to pursue the sport of Para Dressage and allow you to achieve your goals, whether it be competition or just for the pure “Joy” the horse can contribute to your well being.

The Emerging National Virtual Judging Program is being offered to the riders as a first step into competition with an emphasis on using the Introductory Tests to work up the levels of their Classified Grade.

Horses must be a minimum of six (6) years of age. The age is counted from the 1st January of the year of birth.

Recommend horse be braided.

1. All Athletes must be neatly and correctly dressed at all times.

2. Protective Headgear must be worn by Athletes at all times when mounted.

4. Black or brown boots or stout riding shoes with heels must be worn. Plain black or

brown half-chaps or gaiters to the knee may be used.

5. For On-Line Video Competitions, breeches shall be worn, jackets are optional, but

Recommended.

6. Stock or tie: optional, but recommended. White, off-white or same color as coat.

7. Gloves: white, off-white or same color as coat.

8. Riding boots: black or same color as coat.

9. Safety vests (including inflatable) are permitted.

10. Spurs are optional. Spurs must be made of metal. The shank must be either curved or

straight, pointing directly back from the center of the spur when on the Athlete’s boot.

Spurs must not be offset, unless allowed as a compensating aid and noted on the FEI

Classification Master List. The arm of the spur must be smooth and blunt. If rowels are

used, they must be blunt, smooth and free to rotate. Metal spurs with round hard plastic

knobs (‘Impulse’ spurs) or “Dummy” spurs with no shank are allowed.

Per FEI Rules which can be found here: https://inside.fei.org/fei/regulations/para_dressage

FEI Para Dressage Tests may be found here: https://inside.fei.org/fei/your-role/organisers/p-e-dressage/tests

Gr. I, II, III must ride in 40 x 20 meter arena.

Gr. IV, V must ride in 60 x 20 meter arena.

The camera must be placed a “C” (far end of ring/arena). If the zoom feature is used the horse may be no larger than ¼ of the screen. The recording should start approximately 5 seconds before the rider enters the arena. In an indoor arena, the rider may already be in the arena, and the recording will start 5 seconds before the judging of the class begins. The recording should finish approximately 5 seconds after the class ends or after the final salute at the end of the test.

a. Make sure that a well-lighted ring/arena is used.

b. Riders entering the FEI Freestyle to music test, must ensure that the sound on the video

recording device is switched on and that the music can be clearly heard in the video.

c. The name of the video file should include the rider’s last name, horse name, date, Grade and

test being submitted.

d. Videos may include more than one test providing there is a five second pause between

tests, and are clearly marked with the test, date, rider’s last name and horse name.

Please Note: If athlete submits video from competition, then athlete will not receive scores from the

Virtual Judging Panel. Only comments.

Go to YouTube.com and create an account. To do this, click on the “Sign Up” button at the top of the screen. Fill out all of the requested information. An e-mail will be sent to you to confirm your e-mail address. Clink the link to confirm.

You can customize your profile by clicking on your username at the top of the screen. You can choose to add a photo, video logs, favorite videos, subscribers and friends.

To upload a video, go to the upload page by clicking on “upload” in the upper right corner of the homepage. On this page, fill out your video information including title, description and tags.

Tags are key words used to describe your video, i.e. Gr. Test..

The next step is to upload your video onto YouTube from your computer. Click on “Upload Video” to find a video file on your computer. Next, click the browse button to search for the file you want to upload. Double click on the file and it will appear in the text box. Click on “Upload Video”.

Please be aware that posting videos on YouTube without security settings will allow outside individuals to view your video. It is highly recommended that users set the YouTube security setting to “unlisted” (only those who have been provided the link, can view the video).

Entry Due Date: 25^th of each month.

Once riders have a video of themselves performing a specific test, send the YouTube video link to Hope Hand, President of The United States Para-Equestrian Association at wheeler966@aol.com along with the trainer name, trainer email, trainer phone. If no trainer, use rider info., rider name, horse name, grade, test, and detail on rider classification (non-classified, classified National or International). When you are uploading your video, please ensure your video and entry meets the following requirements.

Each Test will cost the rider $15.00 paid through Athlete’s Venmo Account to be paid on the date Video is submitted for review. Make your payment to the Judge’s Venmo Account, Adrienne Pot. Athlete will then forward the Venmo Receipt and YouTube Video to USPEA at Wheeler966@aol.com.

The results of each test submitted will be completed by the International Para Dressage judge and returned to the USPEA, who will forward the score sheets directly to the athlete and trainer, along with any comments made by Emerging Athlete Trainers.