What is a Scratch?

A scratch is a ride that has been cancelled by the rider.

Dressage shows are scheduled – each ride is assigned a test, a class and a ride time.  Sometimes a class is designated for a rider status – Adult Amateur, Youth Rider, or Professional.  Different tests have different durations – the amount of time allocated to enter the arena (45 seconds), ride the test (minutes indicated on each test sheet), receive comments from the judge (usually 1 minute – schooling shows only), and time for the judge to write on the dressage test sheet.  After a show is scheduled, changes may affect these parameters and could therefore disrupt the show.

A scratch can occur before the show or during the show.  With permission from the show secretary, another horse/rider can fill this scratch as long as the new ride matches the scratched ride – the same test, the same class, the same ride time, and the same rider status (if applicable).  If this is not done the show could be disrupted.

If a rider fills a scratch, the new rider pays the fee for the ride.  The original rider is usually not issued a refund.