HDS Schooling Shows
Local Level Competition
Not ready just yet to jump into the big ring of recognized showing? Have a new horse? Perhaps you like the smaller feel of schooling shows as well as the convenience of an in and out, "get on with your other life" kind of show life. Schooling shows are a wonderful place to begin your journey as well as enjoy as your destination!
HDS sponsors shows all over the Houston and greater Houston area as well as offer a Schooling Championships at our home show base, Great Southwest Equestrian Center.
HDS Year End Awards
The HDS Schooling Show Year End Awards are designed to acknowledge your competition efforts throughout the current year from December 1 to November 30 each year. Year End Awards are awarded at the annual banquet held in January each year. Separate rules and divisions are offered by level, type of rider, and schooling vs recognized show competition.
Schooling Show Championships
December 9th, 2023
All HDS members are eligible for the HDS Recognized Schooling Show Championship if the following conditions apply:
• Participants must have been 2022 Members in good standing
• Participants must be 2023 Members at start of Championships
• Qualifying Scores must be obtained during 2022 competition year (12/12/21–11/28/22) at HDS Recognized Schooling Shows
• Each rider must declare the division in which they are competing prior to each attempt at a qualifying ride at HDS Recognized Schooling Shows or for a score submitted under HDS requirements (Amateur, Open, Junior/Young Rider, or Pony) and must provide proof of eligibility in the case of Amateur and Junior/Young Riders.
• Each horse/rider pair must comply with 2022 HDS Recognized Schooling Show Requirements & competition rules.
• Horse/Rider combinations can only be ridden in classes in two (2) consecutive levels (e.g., Training and 1stLevel).
• No horse/pony may be ridden in more than three (3) tests plus one equitation class per day. A horse/pony may be ridden by more than one rider.
• Scores from opportunity classes at HDS 2022 recognized shows count as qualifying rides for the HDS Schooling Show Championships
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, HDS has made the following changes to schooling show requirements for the current 2023 show year: To be eligible for Championship classes, horse and rider combinations must obtain two (2) Qualifying Scores (Percentage) at one or more shows with two different judges per the following table. Next year, horse and rider combinations will require 3 scores.
All recognized HDS Schooling Show USDF dressage classes will be offered at Championships. In addition, HDS will be offering both Eventing test of choice and Western Dressage test of choice in the Open Show and HDS Schooling Show Championship.
Championship Classes will use these USDF Levels and Tests
Introductory Test B
Training Level Test 3
Dressage Equitation N/A
Prix Caprilli Test 2 (Max 2 Ft.)
First Level Test 3
Second Level Test 3
Third Level Test 3
Fourth Level Test 3
Freestyle Training through 3rd Level
Western Dressage Test of Choice- excludes freestyles
Eventing Dressage Test of Choice

Qualifying Scores for Championships and High Points
Championship Class | Adult Amateur | Junior | Pony | Open |
---|---|---|---|---|
Introductory | 59% | 59% | 59% | 63% |
Training Level | 59% | 59% | 59% | 62% |
First Level | 58% | 58% | 58% | 61% |
First Level Freestyle | 58% | 58% | N/A | 61% |
Second Level | 57% | 57% | 57% | 60% |
Second Level Freestyle | 57% | 57% | N/A | 60% |
Third Level | 56% | 56% | 56% | 58% |
Third Level Freestyle | 56% | 56% | N/A | 58% |
Fourth Level | 55% | 55% | 55% | 56% |
Prix Caprilli | 59% | 59% | N/A | 62% |
Dressage Equitation | 59% | 59% | N/A | 62% |
Western Dressage | 59% | 59% | N/A | 62% |
Eventing Dressage | 59% (41 Faults) | 59% (41 Faults) | N/A | 62% (38 Faults) |