Achievement Programs

EC gold and platinum sport licence holders are welcome to join the dressage achievement program and celebrate earning an achievement medal (horse and/or rider), an achievement certificate or a rider test level pins.

Scores earned at Canadian national (gold) dressage shows or Canadian based CDI shows qualify. For achievement programs specific to the schooling, bronze, and silver shows please contact your provincial or territorial sport organization for more information.

On the EC results website you will find the below icon identifying horses and athletes/riders enrolled in the Dressage Achievement Program.

Dressage Achievement Program Eligibility:

• Any horse/rider previously that had joined what had been known as the EC Dressage Awards Program will automatically have their registrations carried forward for the new Dressage Achievement Program.
• The enrolled horse (current owners) and the enrolled riders are responsible for ensuring eligible scores for recognition are submitted according to the criteria below.
• Only results from Gold or CDI level shows that meet the criteria will be considered.
  Owners and riders must be Equestrian Canada current sport licence holders during the time scores are earned

NOTE: Medals and certificates can only be earned once per level per year (e.g. first level 2024). However, you may receive achievement medals and certificates more than once (e.g. first level 2024, 2025, and first level 2028). Riders and horses in the program are encouraged to remain at their test level until they can successfully begin to transition to next level.

Enrollment into the Dressage Achievement Program is not required for the Dressage Recognition Program.

1. Horsemanship & Sportsmanship Recognition

The Equestrian Canada Dressage Horsemanship & Sportsmanship Recognition is given to individuals who embody the integrity and true spirit of good horsemanship toward their equine partners, and good sportsmanship toward their fellow competitors.

Criteria & Information:

• Must be a current EC Sport Licence holder. Can be from any discipline (e.g. a jumper or an eventer competing at gold or CDI dressage shows).
• To promote community engagement, this recognition will be voted on by EC Sport Licence Holders.

Nomination Requirements

Nominations must include:

• A biography of the individual being nominated.
• A clear description of why this person stands out in the areas of dressage sportsmanship and dressage horsemanship and why they should be considered for this recognition.
• Letters of endorsement/support from five (5) individuals.
• Dressage Horsemanship & Sportsmanship Nomination Form

2. The Dressage Century Recognition

Dressage Achievement Programs (score based)The EC Dressage century recognition is given to a horse and rider combination whose total age is 100 years or more.

Criteria & Information

• Must be a current EC Sport Licence holder.
• Must successfully complete technical dressage test (minimum 50% score) at an EC sanctioned gold or CDI show
• Where possible, recognition will be done at the show and as a mounted presentation.

Notifications can be sent by the show organizer, the rider or horse owner a minimum of 3 weeks in advance of the show.

Canadian drivers are invited to participate in the EC Combined Driving Achievement Awards program. This program recognizes drivers at all levels that have consistently performed to a high standard at EC/PTSO recognized combined driving events.

Criteria & Info

• Drivers may earn one Achievement Award per level. Scores may be earned with more than one turnout.
• Drivers must be current EC Sport Licence Holders in good standing and hold the appropriate sport licence for the level in which they are participating. An EC Sport Licence must be maintained for every year in which scores are accumulated, and for the year the award application is submitted.
• Scores from shows prior to obtaining and maintaining an EC Sport Licence will not count towards awards. Drivers must be in good standing prior to earning any scores they wish to submit.
• Applicants must be Canadian citizens or have Landed Immigrant status.

Combined Driving Achievement Awards are offered for the following levels:

Drivers may apply for Achievement Awards in one of two ways:

• After achieving the required three results, access the online portal and fill in the required information. Applications will be automatically forwarded to EC and the EC Driving Committee for review and processing.
• Download and print the results submission form. Drivers should keep ongoing records and mail the forms once complete to EC for processing.

Participants are encouraged to obtain copies of final results (photographs or copies of final event score sheets) and submit them with their applications. Hard copies can be mailed in with the application form, or can be uploaded online through the portal.

EC recognizes the annual achievements of riders and horse’s exceptional competition seasons through the point standings. The available standings are as follows:

• Junior Standings
  • National
  • International
  • Novice
• Senior Standings
  • National
  • International
  • Novice
• Horse Standings
  • International
  • Novice
  • National Best Condition Standings

Para dressage provides athletes with a physical or visual impairment the opportunity to compete against other athletes with similar abilities. Athletes are classified and given a “Grade” based on their functional ability and are then judged on their riding skill against other athletes of the same Grade. There are five (5) Grades of competitions in para-dressage: Grade I represents the more severely impaired athletes and Grade V represents the least severely impaired.

At each Grade, athletes may receive approval to use specific compensating aids during competition, which will be listed on the athlete’s classification profile. The purpose of compensating aids (sometimes known as adaptive tack or specialized equipment) is to level the competitive playing field. Examples of compensating aids include rubber bands to stirrups or two whips. While compensating aids are varied and can be unique to an athlete, they should never provide an advantage.

Many para dressage athletes also compete alongside dressage competitors in EC sanctioned competitions. All athletes with physical or visual impairment who intend to enter EC Silver and Gold competitions must be classified by an EC Para Equestrian Classifier.

To learn more about the Para Dressage Classification Pathway, click here.

The Equestrian Canada Para Dressage Competition Pathway was developed to provide a structured progression for athletes who want to develop their skills and advance through the levels of competition. The framework provides a road map for athletes who wish to compete in para dressage at any level, from grassroots to international competition. The pathway indicates which tests should be performed at each stage of the pathway and when athletes need to get classified.

The pathway has four phases. Athletes set their own competition goals and progress at their own speed through the pathway. While some athletes may progress through all four phases to elite competition, others may choose to remain in a phase indefinitely.

The four phases are:

1. Introduction to sport: Foundational stage for athletes new to para dressage. Introduces athletes to the sport, while developing basic skills and fostering the love of competition. Prepares athletes for national level competitions in a supportive low-pressure environment and provides competitive experience in a structured manner.
2. Talent identification: Supports athletes identified as having the potential to excel. Prepares athletes for international competition. Athletes in this phase are focused on competing at the CPEDI2* level.
3. Development: Helps competent competitors refine their skills, expand their knowledge, and improve their overall performance to compete at the CPEDI3* level.
4. National: Focuses on high performance, elite level competition, including the Paralympic Games and World Championships. Supports athletes with the resources, coaching, and systems necessary to perform at the highest levels of competition on the global stage.

To learn more about the Equestrian Canada Para Dressage Competition Pathway, click here.

The Para Dressage Video Competition Series allows athletes to experience competition conditions in the comfort of their home stable and on a familiar horse.

To participate, riders simply have their performance recorded and submit the video to EC’s online Para-Dressage Video Competition Series Portal.

• Cost: $40 per class

The 2025 dates are as follows:

• April 2025
• May 2025
• September 2025
• October 2025