This year brings another internationally recognized dressage event to Colorado, a Concours de Dressage International-World Cup Qualifier (CDI***W).

A CDI means that the international classes usually conducted under the American Horse Shows Association (AHSA) rules will be held under the authority of the Federation Equestrienne International (FEI) based in Lausanne, Switzerland. The 'W' designates the CDI as a World Cup Qualifier and the *** designates the competition as the highest level and quality. This year Dressage in the Rockies will offer all of the FEI Levels; Prix St. Georges, Intermediaire 1, 2 & I1 Freestyle, Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle, under the auspicious of the FEI rules and regulations.

There are some dramatic differences between a nationally recognized AHSA competition and a CDI. Organizers must have a ground jury of at least three judges, two of which must be European; have a treating veterinarian on the grounds as well as a member of the FEI Veterinary Commission who checks the health and passports of all horses and presides with the ground jury at the Official Soundness Inspection (jog); an Appeals Committee of at least an FEI International judge, active or retired, who may also judge the national level classes, but must be present on the grounds at all times during the CDI. All horses entered in the CDI***W are under 24-hour security, and only those with official credentials are permitted in the stabling area.

Dressage in the Rockies will seat a ground jury of five FEI judges from six different countries for most of the CDI classes.

Horses compete under stricter drug rules and basically are only allowed to consume hay and water. The saddlery rules are now virtually identical. However, other than the rider, only the groom riding with a loose rein is allowed on the horse.

Qualifying for the 1999 World Cup Final

The World Cup for dressage was initiated in 1985 and ten years later, the first World Cup Final was held in the United States.

There are currently five World Cup Leagues that lead to qualification for the Final. Three of the leagues use a qualifying system culminating in a League Final where the top place finisher becomes the qualified rider - Canada, the United States and Australasian (including Australia and New Zealand), Central and Western European League riders qualify via a cumulative point system. The highest placed Central European League riders qualify for the Finals and the top eight horse and rider combinations qualify in the Western League. The actual title holder returns to defend his/her title. The titleholder for 1998 is Sweden's Louise Nathhorst riding LRF Walk on Top.

The 1998 US League Final will be held in October in Washington DC. The World Cup Final will be held in April 1999 and is in Gortmund, Germany.