Qualification Criteria – National to International Pathway for Para Dressage

The Horse Sport Ireland Para Dressage High Performance Director in conjunction with the Para Dressage High Performance Committee is responsible for authorising participation of Para Dressage (Youth & Senior) athletes at international competitions. The objective of this criteria is to provide a fair and transparent benchmark as to the performances required and to ensure athletes have the ability to compete competently at international level.

Specific Pathway Criteria

All Para-Dressage athletes wishing to compete in CPEDI3* competitions must have achieved the following results:

All Para-Dressage athletes wishing to compete in CPEDI2* competitions must have achieved the following results:

All Para-Dressage athletes wishing to compete in CPEDI1* competitions must have achieved the following results:

Non IRL athletesThe HSI Para Dressage High Performance Committee reserves the right to consider athletes who are eligible to compete for Ireland following a sport nationality change or through naturalisation. The Committee shall decide on the portability of national results and/or international results achieved in another jurisdiction on a case by case basis.

Application Process

In the first instance, prospective international athletes should contact the High Performance Executive for Para-Dressage, Susann Tschoerner stschoerner@horsesportireland.ie to express an interest in competing internationally. Please send results and videos for consideration.

Once approved, athletes must proceed to register as an athlete with the FEI Registrations Department in Horse Sport Ireland.

FEI registrations/FEI recognition cards: Athletes must send FEI forms signed and filled out together with national passport of the horse/pony to Horse Sport Ireland via post. Athletes need to be a member of Para Dressage Ireland to be able to receive their FEI licence.

FEI entries: FEI registrations need to be in order before any FEI entries can be done, please contact Brid Marron bmarron@horsesportireland.ie for all FEI registrations/passports.

Once FEI registered please apply directly to the HP Para Dressage Executive: Susann Tschoerner stschoerner@horsesportireland.ie together with the following information:

1. Name of Horse & Athlete
2. Name of event seeking approval for;
3. Classes at the event;
4. Confirmation of national results;

The HPD reserves the right to decline a request for a certain event where it’s considered the standard of event or * rating is not appropriate for the first international appearance. The HPD may suggest a different event or * for consideration by the applicant athlete.

Subsequent licence applications: The Para Dressage High Performance Committee will continually review subsequent athlete FEI entry applications taking into account the factors as set out in section 4 below.

Loss of Form

• On initial grant of permission

Athlete/horse combinations   who   proceed   to   compete   at   CPEDI   level subsequent to receiving initial permission, will be reviewed by the High-Performance Director after a period of 12 months on receipt of initial permission. Combinations who have shown a consistent downward trend as set out in the specific pathway criteria (section 2) in their respective categories at international events, will be subject to evaluation by the HSI Para Dressage High Performance Director.

• Ongoing grant of permission

Following the initial 12 months, and any subsequent FEI licence renewals where an athlete combination has shown a consistent downward trend of scores will be subject to evaluation by the HSI Para Dressage High Performance Director.

The HPD may consider such performance as under performance, and pursuant to Art 6.2 of the Horse Sport Ireland General Rules reserve the right to enter or refuse to approve the entry of an athlete to compete at subsequent international events. However, before doing so, the HSI Dressage Director / Team Manager will consider all mitigating factors and submissions from the athlete before arriving at their decision. The HSI Dressage High Performance Director/ Team Manager may impose certain conditions as to the level of competition the athlete may compete in order to reconcile the standard of performance required or give a direction as to the competition (location) to be attended.

FEI Registration

 Both athlete and horse must be registered with FEI in accordance with FEI Article 113 (General Regulations). Horses will need a FEI approved National passport within a FEI Recognition Card, as required for competing in the relevant CDI & CPEDI for which the application is being made and in accordance with FEI Article 137 (General Regulations). All applications for FEI registration must be made through the FEI Registrations Unit in Horse Sport Ireland. Athletes must ensure both athletes (athlete and horse) are free from prohibited substances in accordance with FEI regulations.

All information with regard to Clean Sport can be consulted HERE. Any questions with regard to the above pathway should be directed to the Dressage & Para-Dressage High Performance Committee by contacting the HP Para Dressage Executive Susann Tschoerner stschoerner@horsesportireland.ie

Variations

This policy can be amended at any time by the HSI HP Para Dressage committee. The Committee reserves the right to amend or change the Policy where necessary at any time in order to fulfil the objective of the Policy, which is to ensure that Team Ireland is represented on appropriately on the international dressage stage.

In the event, that Committee is of the opinion, that such an amendment is necessary as a result of any change in nationals or international rules, regulations and agreements, and to give effect to the policy following discovery of a drafting error or oversight or for any other reason determined to be in the best interests of Horse Sport Ireland. Horse Sport Ireland and the Para-Dressage High Performance Committee shall not be responsible or liable in any way to anyone as a result of any such amendment.