Licensed Show Costs
USEF Licensed / USDF Recognized shows can be expensive, as the table below for a one-day show demonstrates.
USEF PEOPLE AND HORSE COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS: Click here to open a chart with links to details.
- People (riders, owners, and trainers) must be either a USEF competition member ($80/year) or purchase a one-use show pass (non-member) fee ($45). Only one show pass may be purchased per competition year.
- Horses must be recorded with USEF ($300 lifetime, $95 annually) or have a USEF Horse ID Number (free).
- For people who plan to participate in multiple licensed shows, it is more cost effective to become members of USEF and get a lifetime USEF recording for the horse.
- If qualification for national awards is desired, USEF people competing memberships and USEF horse recording are required.
USDF PEOPLE AND HORSE COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS:
- People (riders and owners) must be USDF participating members ($100/year, $80/year for youth, $400/five years, $2,000 lifetime) or pay a USDF non-member fee ($35 per show). Click here for further information.
- Horses must be recorded with USDF ($140 Lifetime) or have a USDF Horse Identification Number (HID) ($45). The HID may e used for multiple shows. Click here for further information.
- If qualification for national awards is desired, USDF people participating memberships and USEF horse registration are required.
NOTE: The following fees are effective December 1, 2025. All fees are subject to change.
| People and Horse are Members, Not Stabled | People and Horse are members, One Night Stabling | No People or Horse Memberships, Not Stabled | No People or Horse Memberships, One Night Stabling | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office Fee | $35 | $35 | $35 | $35 |
| Two Classes | $90 | $90 | $90 | $90 |
| GAIG Fee (if applicable) | $20 | $20 | ||
| Grounds Fee or One Night Stall | $30 | $125 | $30 | $125 |
| USEF and Drug Fee | $23 | $23 | $23 | $23 |
| Rider USEF Show Pass (1) | $85 | $85 | ||
| Owner USEF Show Pass Fee (1) | $85 | $85 | ||
| Rider USDF Non-Member Fee (2) | $55 | $55 | ||
| Owner USDF Non-Member Fee (2) | $55 | $55 | ||
| Horse USEF ID Number (3) | ||||
| Horse USDF ID Number (3) | $45 | $45 | ||
| TOTAL | $198 | $293 | $588 | $683 |
NOTES:
The office fee, class fee, and grounds or stall fee listed above are typical fees for licensed dressage shows. Some shows have additional local fees.
(1) One USEF show pass fee per non-member person. If the rider/owner/trainer are the same person, only one show pass fee is needed. Only one show-pass per competition year is permitted. People can instead join USEF for $80.
(2) One USDF non-member fee per non-member person per show. The fee can be paid at multiple shows. If the rider/owner are the same person, only one USDF non-member fee is paid per show. People can instead join USDF ($90 per year) or join a GMO.
(3) One-time fee; can be used for multiple shows. Horse can instead have USEF recording (annual or lifetime) and USDF registration (lifetime).
Effective April 1, 2026:
- USEF Competing Membership will increase fro $80 to $100.
- USEF Annual Horse Recording will increase from $95 to $115.
- USEF Lifetime Horse Recording will increase from $300 to $500.
This shows that USEF licensed / USDF registered shows are EXPENSIVE and have many requirement to fulfill. If you do not have a national award or other recognition in mind, it is much cheaper ($30 – $32 per ride) and much easier (no other fees, etc.) to ride in FADS shows!