GMOs hosting approved programs are also eligible to apply for a GMO Education Initiative Grant, for up to $1,000 to help cover losses.

Step 1: Determine Event Type and Instructor

The GMO Education Initiative has four event formats. Each event format has specific criteria for the selection of the instructor or judge; additional instructors may be brought in as needed.

Please use the filters on the Instructors and Officials List to help you find an instructor.

GMOs may apply to utilize an instructor or judge that does not meet the criteria listed below but an exception request is required (Step 1B).

USDF membership of any level is required to participate as a rider in these events. There is no membership requirement for auditors or participants in the unmounted sessions. Riders of any age are eligible to participate in a GMO Education Initiative Event.

1. Clinics/symposiums:Include traditional riding clinics and those with a more focused curriculum, offering a variety of experiences to riders of all levels.
   
   Requirements:

• Instructor must be a current USDF Certified Instructor, Honorary Instructor, or USDF Instructor/Trainer Examiner who has completed their continuing education requirements and Safe Sport Training.
• Instructor and Rider Selection must be done in a manner that ensures that the schooling level of the riders will not exceed the certification level of the Instructor.
• Instruction must be in the discipline of dressage.

2. Ride-a-Test Clinics: Provide riders an opportunity to receive a judge’s feedback in a non-competitive environment. Beneficial to all, these clinics provide competitors an opportunity to improve their dressage test scores and provide non-competitors an opportunity to receive feedback from a perspective they might otherwise miss.
   
   

   Requirements:

   All judges must be a USDF L Program Faculty Member, current USEF Licensed Judge, FEI Licensed Judge, or current L Graduate with Distinction who has completed the USDF continuing education requirements and Safe Sport Training. All tests ridden must be USDF/USEF/FEI dressage tests.

   • Tests ridden may not exceed the level of the judge’s qualifications as indicated below:
   • L Graduate with Distinction: Second Level
   • USEF “r”: Second Level
   • USEF “R”: Fourth Level
   • USEF “S”: All Levels
   • FEI: All Levels

3. Camps: Provide riders and auditors with an opportunity to immerse themselves in a “horse vacation” and participate in a variety of activities over the course of a few days. Activities such as, but not limited to, private lessons, group lessons, lectures and social events, are all appropriate for this type of event.
   
   

   Requirements:

   • At least one instructor must be a current USDF Certified Instructor, Honorary Instructor, or USDF Instructor/Trainer Examiner who have completed their USDF continuing education requirements and Safe Sport Training.
   • All instructors for camps are required to complete the Safe Sport Training.
   • A minimum of one riding session per day, in the discipline of dressage.

4. Unmounted Events: Allow GMOs to offer members an event that does not include a riding opportunity. The GMO and Instructor will determine the curriculum.
   
   

   Requirements:

• Instructor must be a current USDF Certified Instructor, Honorary Instructor, USDF Instructor/Trainer Examiner, current L Graduate with Distinction who has met the USDF continuing education requirements, USDF L Program Faculty Member, current USEF Licensed Judge or FEI Licensed Judge and has completed the Safe Sport Training.

If you know what event type you are going to plan and if your instructor is on our list move directly to step 2. Otherwise move to step 1B.

Step 1B: Submit an Exception Request if not using a pre-approved instructor.

***Please be advised: Organizers of GMO Education Initiative Programs requesting an Instructor Exception and receiving a GMO Education Initiative Grant will have the additional responsibility of submitting post program evaluations as an additional requirement of final grant fund disbursement. While it is our goal to receive evaluations from 100% of participants, responses from a minimum of 80% of riders and 50% of auditors are required and it shall ultimately be the organizer’s responsibility to ensure compliance. Evaluation responses will help the review committee determine if the instructor is a good candidate for future exceptions, so it is critical that organizers and participants understand their role in ensuring the quality of instruction and education being presented.

At a minimum, the instructor or judge must have experience in teaching the proposed material or event type, have references available, and have successfully taught an event for USDF or a GMO in the past. Instructor exception requests are not guaranteed and will be approved only on a case-by-case basis. Approval of the Instructor is for an individual event only. Subsequent requests will be reviewed upon submission. Approval of an Instructor does not constitute USDF endorsement. It is best to get your exception approved before you plan much further.

Step 2: Complete the GMO Education Initiative Event Application

Hosting GMO or Chapter must submit a completed Event and Grant Application at least 60 days before the event date. There is a $65, non-refundable, administrative fee due with the Event Application. Completed applications must include:

• A clearly defined refund policy.
• A clearly defined rider selection procedure if mounted opportunities are available.
• A marketing plan that openly promotes opportunities to USDF members and others in the local equine community and promotes the attendance of auditors.
• A clear budget of expected expenses and revenue.

An email confirmation will be sent to the organizer of the event when the event is approved or will be contacted by USDF if the event is not approved. Events may not advertise that they are a part of the GMO Education Initiative until they are approved. Instructor exception requests will be reviewed with the application and are not guaranteed.

USDF Education credits are included for this program. Organizers need not apply for a USDF University program or Continuing Education in Dressage Judging Program. Education programs can only be approved as one program. If you have any questions, please contact the USDF office before submitting the application and application fee.

Step 3 (Optional): GMO Education Initiative Grant Application

Hosting GMO or Chapters must submit a completed GMO Education Initiative Event and Grant Application to the USDF Office at least 60 days before the event date.

Grants are a maximum of $1,000.

Grant consideration criteria will include, but will not be limited to, demonstration of financial need, event affordability, local need and accessibility for members who have limited access to instruction in the sport of dressage, and providing both riding and auditor opportunities. Grants will be awarded with regional/geographical representation considered.

Funds for approved grants will be distributed as follows:

• Up to 50% of the approved grant can be given to the GMO or chapter prior to their event, as seed money, if requested.
• All early dispersal requests must include a 30-day advance lead time for administrative purposes. USDF cannot guarantee an early dispersal will arrive on the requested date without 30-day notification.

Additional funding support through outside sponsorship and additional grants will be allowed and encouraged, with approval from USDF.

All grant applications will be reviewed for eligibility and to ensure regional/geographical diversity in the allocation of funds, seeking input from individual Regional Directors when needed.

USDF will aid GMOs or chapters (if needed) in completing grant applications and meeting grant requirements. Only GMOs or chapters hosting an approved GMO Education Initiative event are eligible to apply for a GMO Education Initiative Grant. A GMO with multiple chapters may receive more than one grant per fiscal year but no more than one grant per chapter per year. Failure to comply with program rules will disqualify the GMO from receiving grant funds.

Step 4: Implementation of the Approved GMO Education Initiative Event

Once the organizer has received confirmation that the event has been approved the GMO or chapter can begin to facilitate the event.

Responsibilities prior to the event

• All GMO Education Initiative events must obtain at least $1 million of liability insurance coverage, naming USDF as an additional insured at least 30 days prior to the event start date.
• The GMO/Chapter will contact instructor(s), organize, promote locally, and facilitate all aspects of the event.
• When selecting riders, the GMO/Chapter will adhere to their stated rider selection guidelines. All riders must be USDF members.

Responsibilities at the event

• All participants, instructors, organizers, auditors, and volunteers must physically sign a state-specific waiver of liability for USDF. USDF will supply organizers with a digital file of this form upon application approval.
• If you used an instructor exception request, you must also use the provided evaluation forms which will be sent digitally. Remaining grant funds will not be distributed without these evaluations.
• The organizer will compile a legible roster of all attendees and volunteers. Organizers may choose to utilize the available USDF Sign-in Sheet digital file.

Responsibilities after the event

• A complete roster of attendees, all signed waivers, and a final profit/loss statement must be sent to the USDF office within 14 days of completion of the event.
• Organizers are encouraged to submit photos and an event recap for possible inclusion in USDF’s YourDressage, an electronic publication website.
• If the event generates a profit, the GMO or chapter will reimburse USDF for grant funds distributed prior to the event, up to the break-even point.

USDF Support:

• Promotion: Marketing assistance will be provided via eNews, social media, and twice annually in a GMO Education Initiative ad in USDF Connection. Retrospectively, GMOs may submit photos and a brief recap of their event for possible publication in USDF’s YourDressage, an electronic publication website.
• Planning, Organizational, and Implementation Guidance
• Educational materials
• Approved events will automatically be USDF University Accredited
• USDF members (riders, volunteers, and auditors) automatically receive USDF University credits, upon USDF receipt of attendance records from organizers.
• USDF Education credits are included for this program. Organizers need not apply for a USDF University program or Continuing Education in Dressage Judging Program. Education programs can only be approved as one program. If you have any questions, please contact the USDF office before submitting the application and application fee.

If you are interested in hosting an event please contact education@usdf.org to discuss your event and its eligibility as the program is developed.

Event and grant applications are accepted throughout the year but are due at least 60 days prior to the event.

General Requirements for All Programs:
Hosting GMO or Chapter will submit a completed application, by the deadline, to the USDF office, including a $65 administrative fee. Completed applications must include:

• A clearly defined refund policy.
• A clearly defined rider selection procedure, if mounted opportunities are available.
• A budget for the event. Events should be budgeted in a way that provides area-specific affordable riding and auditing opportunities for the membership, taking into account the venue and instructor’s costs.
• A marketing plan that openly promotes opportunities to USDF members and others in the local equine community and promotes the attendance of auditors.
• USDF membership of any level is required to participate as a rider in these events. There is no membership requirement for auditors or participants in unmounted events.

GMO Event Responsibilities:

• Complete the application and provide the required documents
• Obtain and submit appropriate liability insurance (no less than 30 days prior to the event) and waivers (signed by all participants at event and submitted to USDF post-event)
• Promote event locally
• Organize and facilitate all aspects of the event, including financial responsibility
• Develop rider selection guidelines
• Select instructor, participants, and riders
• Submit final attendance roster to USDF to ensure members receive education credits

USDF Support:

• Guidance in completing and submitting applications
• Promotion: Marketing assistance will be provided via eNews, social media, and twice annually in an ad in USDF Connection. Retrospectively, GMOs may submit photos and a brief summary of their event for possible publication in USDF’s YourDressage, an electronic publication website.
• Planning, Organizational, and Implementation Guidance
• Educational materials
• Approved events will automatically be USDF University Accredited
• USDF (riders, volunteers, and auditors) automatically receive USDF education credits, upon USDF receipt of attendance records from organizers.
• USDF Education credits are included for this program. Organizers need not apply for a USDF University program or Continuing Education in Dressage Judging Program. Education programs can only be approved as one program. If you have any questions, please contact the USDF office before submitting the application and application fee.

Grant Information:

USDF will review all grant applications for eligibility. The GMO Education Initiative Grant Review Committee will review applications as needed to ensure regional/geographical diversity in the allocation of funds. The review committee will seek input from individual Regional Directors when needed.

USDF will aid GMOs/Chapters (if needed) in completing event and grant applications and meeting grant requirements. Only GMOs/Chapters hosting a USDF GMO Education Initiative event are eligible to apply for a GMO Education Initiative Grant. A GMO may only receive one grant per fiscal year. A GMO with multiple Chapters may receive more than one grant per fiscal year but no more than one grant per chapter.

GRANT APPROVAL AND FUNDING

• Grant consideration criteria will include, but will not be limited to, demonstration of financial need, program affordability, local need and accessibility for members who have limited access to instruction in the sport of dressage, and providing both riding and auditor opportunities.
• Grants will be awarded with regional/geographical representation considered.
• Funds for approved grants will be distributed as follows:
• Up to 50% of the approved grant can be given to the GMO or chapter prior to their event, as seed money, if requested.
• If the event generates a profit, the GMO or chapter will reimburse USDF for funds distributed prior to the event, up to the break-even point.
• The remaining grant funds will be distributed after the event, upon USDF receipt of the final profit/loss statement, supporting documentation of a program loss and submission of an event summary, photos (highly recommended), and attendance roster.
• Only an amount up to the documented loss will be granted, not to exceed a total of $1,000.00.
• Additional funding support through outside sponsorship and additional grants will be allowed and encouraged.

If you are interested in hosting an event please contact education@usdf.org to discuss your event and its eligibility as the program is developed.

• Blank Budget Form
• Event Planning and Budget
• Event/Grant Application
• Event Ideas
• Event and Grant Requirements/Guidelines
• Instructor Exception Request
• Event Waivers by State