About The Squad

The High-Performance Dressage Squad (HP Squad) was formed in 2013 to provide a platform for the best Victorian horse  and rider combinations to regularly access world-class dressage instruction, including a holistic approach to each athlete’s competition preparation.

The HP Squad is reviewed in July and December for those combinations who have obtained the necessary scores to qualify. 

 

 

CURRENT SQUAD YEAR 2024/2025

Intake 1	Qualifying Period
1 July 2024 - 30 June 2025	1 July 2023 - 30 June 2024
Intake 2	Qualifying Period
1 January 2025 - 30 June 2025	1 January  2024 - 22 December 2024

 

 

 

• Successful combinations will be expected to agree to an Athletes Agreement which sets out certain criteria and obligations which need to be met.  Please read and accept the agreement in the online form.
• Those not meeting requirements will not qualify for the 2024/2025 HP squad selection.
• Those that apply and are successful for the December intake, will remain on the squad for a period of 6 months until the end of June 2025 when all riders must reapply.

 

ONLINE APPLICATIONS ONLY, NO EXCEPTIONS. 

No late applications will be considered.

 

Criteria Required for Squad Inclusion

Please read the following information before completing the application below.

• Official unrestricted classes
• No Junior or Young Rider classes.
• Eligible classes must have a minimum of two judges.

 

Open EA Levels

 

MEDIUM & ADVANCED:

Three scores of 70 percent or higher from official competitions. Freestyle scores are NOT permitted.

SMALL & MEDIUM TOURS - PSG, INTER I & INTER A & B:

Three scores of 67 percent or higher from official competitions. Freestyle scores are NOT permitted.

BIG TOUR - INTER II AND GRAND PRIX:

Three scores of 66 percent or above from official competitions. Freestyle scores are NOT permitted. 

 

PARA RIDERS:
Para riders are required to achieve three scores based on the FEI individual test and the FEI team championship test scores at their respective grades at official competitions with at least one official Para judge.

• Grade 1 68% or above
• Grade 2 70% or above
• Grade 3 68% or above
• Grade 4 69% or above
• Grade 5 69% or above

 

YOUNG HORSE:

• 5-year-old horse and rider combinations who have achieved three scores of 78% or greater in Young Horse classes.
• 6-year-old horse and rider combinations who have achieved three scores of 78% or greater in Young Horse classes. 
• 7-year-old horse and rider combinations who have achieved three scores of 75% or greater in Young Horse classes. 

 

RESERVE SQUAD:

Combinations with 2 qualifying scores and 1 close to the target may be considered for the Reserve Squad.

 

 

Applications Closing Dates:

• Applications close 19 JULY 2024. 
• The new squad will be announced no later than 26 JULY 2024.

 

ONLINE APPLICATIONS ONLY, NO EXCEPTIONS.

No late applications will be considered. 

 

Enquiries: 

Karen Blythe
Email: kmd1966@yahoo.com.au
 

 

SQUAD DATES - TBA

 

 

TO BE CONSIDERED PLEASE COMPLETE ALL DETAILS BELOW.

PLEASE PROVIDE THE THREE (3) BEST RESULTS FROM 1 JULY 2023 to 30 JUNE 2024.

2024/2025 Rider Agreement

Victorian High Performance Dressage Squad

ATHLETE UNDERTAKINGS:

I acknowledge and agree that, during the Term, I will comply with:

• The athlete’s Code of Conduct, EA Member Protection Policy, EA/EV Social Media Policy and EA Anti-Doping Policy;
• All policies and procedures of EA and EV as notified to me before or during the Term;

I represent and agree that:

• I am a resident of Victoria and a member of EA;
• I will during the Term and for the period of this Agreement, make myself available for selection to represent Victoria in State and National teams, if selected to do so, unless I have an acceptable reason for not doing so. This does not apply if I or my horse retire or are unable to compete for a given period of time;
• I will not represent any other state during the Term;
• I will comply with attendance requirements at Squad activities (see below);
• I will wear at the request of EV an official uniform or logo when representing Victoria during training, competition or official functions.
• I will immediately advise the selectors if the horse on the squad is sold or becomes unfit to participate in squad activities, or if for some reason I cannot ride for an extended period.

MEDIA AND PUBLIC STATEMENTS:

• I acknowledge and agree that as a member of EA, I am at all times bound by their Constitution, Policies, By Laws and Codes of Conduct and not to participate in conduct that would bring or be seen to as bringing EA, EV, The Victorian High Performance Dressage Squad and/or its sponsors into disrepute;
• I agree that I will raise any issue or concern that I may have in respect to selection, selectors, selection policies, training and squad/team policies and management or conduct of another Athlete and any related matters, only through the DV Committee or the EV CEO;
• I agree that nothing in this clause prevents me from factually representing that I am a member of the squad/team and from publicly discussing my and my horse’s athletic performance.

SQUAD ACTIVITIES REQUIREMENT:

Athletes who accept to be a member of the EV squad agree to comply with the following commitment:

• To attend a minimum of 2 on horse training clinics per year, with at least one of their identified squad horses and 1 off horse session, i.e. 
  a) Lessons / Clinic with organised Coach;
  b) Attending  Protocol Test riding sessions as organised by the HP Squad Committee.
  c) Attending off-horse presentations/activities organised by the Squad Commitee.

• To participate in any nominated non-riding activities such as promotion, social or team activities.
• When a squad member is riding as a representative for Victoria at State and National events, such as when a member of a Victorian team, they will ensure that they attend the prize-giving ceremonies, unless an acceptable reason is provided to the chef d’equipe.

SELECTING 'I AGREE' BELOW ACKNOWLEDGES THAT YOU, AS THE APPLICANT NAMED ABOVE, HAVE READ AND ACCEPT THE TERMS & CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT.