USEF Driving Trial at Twin Rivers Ranch, May 15, 2025

This USEF CDE Format competition will be held concurrently with the ADS Driving Trial, the idea being that competitors will take advantage of the opportunity to enter both shows – more competitive “bang” for the “bucks” already spent getting to the show venue.  

The differences between ADS and USEF CDE rules at these shows:

• USEF dressage tests will be used for the USEF show.
• USEF has a Beginner level in addition to the divisions offered by ADS.  
• At Beginner and Training levels, you are allowed to have someone read the dressage test to you, rather than needing to drive the test from memory.
• Beginner and Training level do gates A-C on marathon.
• USEF requires a drug testing fee of $25 (separate from the California $14 drug fee).

There are several requirements at USEF CDEs:

• Horses must wear a bridle number at any time outside the stall.
• Carriages must wear a carriage number at all times including exercising.
• In harness inspection with the vet before marathon
• Regimented cool down after marathon
• Because you don’t need to be a USEF member, you do not need to take the Safe Sport training

USEF allows non-members to compete in 1 show per year with a “show pass”. However, the fee for the show pass cost $85, whereas an annual membership costs $80 per year. So, you will want to become a “competing member”. Go to usef.org, and click on the red button labeled “Become a member” in the upper right corner. There are 3 levels of membership, and you want the competing member option. Click on “join as competing” and supply the requested information. Your horse does not need to be a (paid) USEF “recorded” horse. Instead, you can obtain a free Horse ID. Once you are a member, your online account will have a “member dashboard”, which displays various links, including the option for horse ID application.

In summary, there are no significant differences, so if you’re familiar with ADS rules, you will be well prepared to compete in the USEF show, too.