Amateur Status in Dressage & Eventing — Key Points for Competitors

09 Feb Amateur Status in Dressage & Eventing — Key Points for Competitors

By Sharon Londoño

Amateur status matters in USEF-licensed dressage and eventing because it determines eligibility for amateur-restricted classes and protects fair competition.

When Amateur Status Begins

Riders are automatically amateurs until age 18. Beginning at 18, a rider must declare and maintain USEF amateur status to compete in amateur-restricted classes. This rule applies across disciplines.

Separate from this, the USDF “Adult Amateur” category for awards and rankings generally begins the calendar year a rider turns 22. This is a USDF awards classification only and does not change the USEF requirement that amateur eligibility for competition begins at 18.

What “Amateur” Means

• Dressage: Riders age 18+ must hold current USEF amateur status to enter amateur-restricted dressage classes.
• Eventing: At Training, Novice, and Beginner Novice, competitors may present a USEF amateur card or documentation showing they meet GR1306 criteria, if requested.

What Amateurs May Do

Amateurs may receive compensation for horse-related duties that do not involve instruction or training, including grooming, braiding, lunging, and routine barn work.

They may be reimbursed for horse-related expenses (but not general travel, hotel, or equipment expenses), accept prize money as owners, receive limited-value non-cash gifts, serve in non-instruction roles (such as steward, judge, announcer, veterinarian, or groom), and participate in approved social-media or college-credit arrangements as long as they have never been professionals.

Teaching and Lessons

For dressage and eventing, amateurs may not be paid to teach lessons under any circumstances.

There is no “beginner-only,” logging-hours, or oversight pathway in these disciplines — any paid instruction equals professional status.

What Disqualifies Amateur Status

• A rider becomes a professional if, after age 18, they are paid for riding, training, coaching, showing, or teaching beyond activities specifically permitted by rule.
• Payment through another person (for example, a family member being compensated on their behalf) can also trigger professional status.
• Former professionals may apply for reinstatement through USEF’s reclassification process.

Consequences for Violations

• For riders: Loss of amateur eligibility, forfeiture of awards earned in violation, and possible fines or suspension under Chapter 7.
• For those paying the amateur: Owners, trainers, sponsors, or others who knowingly compensate an amateur for prohibited services will also face disciplinary action.

Reporting Concerns

Possible violations may be reported online through USEF, submitted anonymously, and reviewed by the Regulations Department.

Report a rule-violation or compliance issue: https://members.usef.org/reporting-forms/rule-violation

Best Practices

• Keep your amateur declaration current.
• Ask USEF before accepting compensation if you are unsure.
• Ensure any support you provide to an amateur complies with rule provisions.

Respecting amateur-status rules helps preserve fair competition in dressage and eventing. For specific questions, consult the USEF Rulebook or contact the Amateur Inquiry Department at amateurinquiry@usef.org