CCDA Rulebook

While it is not expected that CCDA members will have read the entire rulebook or memorized any portion of it, all members will be held accountable for the Association rules. The Rulebook should be consulted in regards to any issue which could result in penalty at any CCDA event.

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Registration Guidelines
Eligibility for CCDA Participation
Competitive Dress Guidelines
Equine Equipment Guidelines
Competition Guidelines
CCDA Points

Registration Guidelines
- Member registration is required for participation in any CCDA events. Any Clip Clop member who owns one or more dressage horse(s) is eligible for registration.
- Equine registration is required for points tallying and for entry in national, championship, and special CCDA events. Non-registered horses may compete in regional and schooling events, but will not earn points toward CCDA titles or qualification for Association titles.
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- Any equine which is trained in dressage or a prospective dressage competitor, regardless of breed, is eligible for registration.
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- All registered equines must first be registered with the Clip Clop Equine Database.
- Membership fees are required for both Member and Equine registrations. See the Registration page for more information.
Eligibility for CCDA Participation
- Foals may be shown in CCDA events upon weaning unless they are shown alongside their dams.
- The CCDA seeks to promote careful and thoughtful training of dressage horses. As such, several age guidelines have been set in place for CCDA competitions:
  - Horses must be at least three (3) years old to begin showing in ANY under-saddle classes.
  - Horses must be at least five (6) years old to begin showing at or above Third Level.
  - Horses must be at least six (7) years old to begin showing at or above Prix St. George.
  - Horses must be at least seven (8) years old to show at the Grand Prix level.
- Any horses found to be showing in violation of CCDA age guidelines will have their CCDA points stripped immediately. A second offense results in nullification of CCDA registration (no refund).
- Dressage riders are designated as follows at CCDA events:
  - Junior Riders are between the ages of 14 and 18.
  - Children are between the ages of 12 and 14.
  - Young Riders will not be below the age of 16 or above the age of 21 during that calendar year.
  - Juniors are eligible as Pony Riders between the ages of 12 and 16.
  - Adult riders exceed the age of 21.
- Children below the age of 12 are not eligible as riders in CCDA events.
Competitive Dress Guidelines
- ALL competitors in all CCDA events must wear an approved helmet whenever mounted. A top hat may be substituted at the FEI levels only.
- Tests require the following dress:
  - Introductory through Fourth Level: Riding coat of conservative colour with tie, choker or stock tie, white or other light-coloured breeches, boots or jodhpur boots, conservative-coloured gloves, and helmet. Tests at Schooling shows may be ridden without coat and tie. Half-chaps may be worn for schooling shows.
  - FEI Levels: Dark tailed coat with stock tie, helmet or top hat, white or light-coloured breeches, gloves, and black riding boots. Half chaps are not permitted. Spurs are optional.
- A whip no longer than 110 centimeters (43.3 inches) in length may be carried at all levels.
- Spurs, if used, must be made of metal and have either straight blunted shanks or down-curved shanks. Shanks aimed upward from the rider's heel are prohibited.
Equine Equipment Guidelines
- An English-type saddle with stirrups is required for all tests.
- A dressage saddle is mandatory for FEI level test.
- Saddle pads, if used, should be white or another conservative colour.
- A simple snaffle bridle with dropped, flash, crossed, or regular noseband is required for all Intro - Third Level tests as well as the FEI Young Horse tests and FEI Pony Tests.
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- A simple double bridle may be used for Fourth Level and above, as well as for FEI Young Rider tests.
- Any sort of martingale, breastplate, side reins, boots, wraps, or blinkers is prohibited. Fly bonnets may be used only in outdoor events to protect from insects.
Competition Guidelines
- For Competitors
  - Horses may be shown in no more than two (2) consecutive levels during any competition period (defined as the length of one competition). For example, a horse may show in both Training and First Level tests, but a horse may NOT show in both Training and Second Level tests.
  - Horses are limited to competing in a total of eight (8) tests per competition period (defined as the length of one competition, not one competition day).
  - Horses may compete in any extra test (e.g. freestyles, pas de deux) that corresponds with the level at which the currently compete.
  - There are no restrictions to the number of horses a rider competes on, or the number of levels a rider competes at, unless explicitly stated otherwise for a specific event.
  - Horses competing in any FEI specialty tests (FEI Young Rider test, FEI Pony test, FEI Young Horse Tests) must be actively shown at the level corresponding to that test's difficulty prior to the date of the specialty test.
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- For Competition Hosts
  - Any CCDA member may request CCDA approval for a dressage show. If approval is granted, CCDA registered horses will be eligible to earn CCDA points for their placings in the event.
  - Only classes listed in the CCDA Official Prizelist will grant CCDA points.
  - The CCDA will determine which level the show will be designated.
CCDA Points
- Schooling Shows do not award any CCDA points (Clip Clop points will be awarded as normal).
- Regional Shows award points on the following scale:
  - 1st Place: 4 Points
  - 2nd Place: 2 Points
  - 3rd Place: 1 Point
- National Shows award points on the following scale:
  - 1st Place: 6 Points
  - 2nd Place: 4 Points
  - 3rd Place: 3 Points
  - 4th Place: 2 Points
  - 5th Place: 1 Point
- Championship Events award points on the following scale:
  - 1st Place: 10 Points
  - 2nd Place: 8 Points
  - 3rd Place: 6 Points
  - 4th Place: 4 Points
  - 5th Place: 2 Points
  - 6th Place: 1 Point
- All events award Clip Clop points as normal.