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 ($100/year) or purchase a one-use show pass (non-member) fee ($85). Only one show pass may be purchased per competition year; therefore, if you may show more than once per year, it makes sense to just get a $100 competition membership..
- Horses must be recorded with USEF ($500 lifetime, $115 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.
- These fees increase every few years.
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 be 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.
- These fees increase every few years.
TYPICAL USEF and USDF SHOWING FEES: This is in addition to people and horse member ship fees. All fees are subject to change.
| Not Stabled | One Night Stabling | |
|---|---|---|
| Office Fee | $40 | $40 |
| Two USEF Classes (FEI classes cost more) | $100 | $100 |
| GAIG Fee (if applicable) | $20 | $20 |
| Grounds Fee per Day or One Night Stall | $40 | $150 |
| USEF and Drug Fee | $25 | $25 |
| TOTAL | $225 | $335 |
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.
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 requirements 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!