Schooling Show Rules
Compliance with the following rules is mandatory. Violation of these rules may result in action being taken by the show manager and VADA/Nova Board of Directors.
All VADA/Nova Schooling Shows are run under the dressage rules of USEF unless otherwise specified.
• Approved protective headgear must be worn whenever mounted; other USEF attire rules for dressage are optional.
• All horses on the show grounds must have a bridle number and must always wear their bridle number when on the show grounds. This applies to horses that are brought as non-competes as well as those competing.
• Anyone riding a horse at a VADA/Nova event for any purpose must report such activity to the show secretary and sign a Waiver of Liability before mounting any horse for any purpose on the show grounds.
• Any horse entering the show grounds for any purpose (including non-competes) during a show must have a valid, current negative Coggins test submitted to the show secretary either with the entry or presented on the day of the show.
• Any horse entering the show grounds for any purpose (including non-competes) during a show must have proof of vaccination within 6 months of the show date submitted to the show secretary either with the entry or presented on the day of the show.
• Dogs at VADA/Nova schooling shows hosted at Morven Park must be leashed.
• Fly masks, martingales, bearing or running reins, seat covers, and any form of blinkers are forbidden at VADA/Nova Schooling Shows.
• Running martingales, bandages, boots, and side reins may be used in warm-up arenas but must be removed before entering the competition arena.
• Bareback riding is not permitted.
• A rider should not be judged by anyone who has instructed him/her within the last 30 days. If a rider arrives at the show and find that his/her instructor has been substituted for the judge, that rider must notify the Show Manager, and ask to ride Hors de Concours (HC) or request a full credit for the entry fees.
• Lunging is prohibited in the warm-up area. The show manager can indicate the areas where lunging is permitted on the show grounds.
• Riders should check their scores before leaving the show grounds. Any scoring errors must be reported and corrected before a rider departs.