Memberships

Tehachapi Mountain Chapter is one of the 29 chapters of the California Dressage Society. To join TMC, you will need to join CDS. On the online application, you will be asked to select your age group. Once you have done that, you will provide CDS with your contact information. If you are 22 years or older, you must select whether you are a professional rider or an adult amateur. Amateur status is given through USEF. Being an "amateur" simply means you have publicly declared through USEF that you do not receive remuneration, or payment, for training or riding horses. You will then select TMC as your chapter preference. The fee to join CDS is $75. You will be mailed a membership card. 

​Join the California Dressage Society for $75.00 annually. If you plan to qualify for Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC), there is an additional $25.00 annual fee. CDS membership allows you to show at CDS and USDF recognized dressage shows. Non-members may show, but they will incur additional non-member fees. CDS Membership includes Group Membership in USDF, which is needed for USDF/USEF rated dressage shows, as well as the opportunity to participate in the Adult Amateur Clinic and RAAC. Members also earn Plates, which can be added to a plaque available from CDS. CDS also offers a number of other award programs such as the GEM Rider Award and Horse Performance Awards. To join CDS, or for more information, click this link.

​The United States Dressage Federation has approximately 173 local affiliates. These affiliate clubs are called Group Member Organizations (GMOs). By joining CDS, you automatically become a Group Member of USDF.  There are five different types of memberships in USDF: Participating, Youth Participating, Group, Education, and Business. Since each membership is slightly different, USDF recommends that you read about each membership carefully before joining. To join USDF, or for more information, click ​this link.

If you plan to show at USDF/USEF shows, your horse will also need a USDF Lifetime Horse Registration (LHR) or Horse Identification Number (HID). If you would like your horse to be eligible for year-end awards, you must purchase a LHR for a one-time fee. To just receive an HID, with no eligibility for awards, there is a one-time cost. To upgrade an HID to an LHR, there is an upgrade fee.

​US Equestrian, started in 1917, is the national governing body for all equestrian sports here in the USA. US Equestrian membership is required for nationally rated dressage shows (USDF/USEF). Non-members may show, but they will incur non-member fees. When you join US Equestrian, you will be asked if you are an Adult Amateur or Open rider. Once you select Open, you cannot easily return to amateur status. Senior Adult Amateur status does not cost anything extra. If you want to participate in CDS or USDF rated shows shows as an Adult Amateur you'll need to join United States Equestrian annually as well as complete the SafeSport Training. ​If you are not a US Equestrian recognized Adult Amateur, you will be required to compete in Open classes (the professionals of our sport).

If you plan to show at nationally rated shows, your horse will need a US Equestrian identification number of which there are three options. First, if you would like your horse to be eligible for US Equestrian year-end awards, he will need a Lifetime ID which can be purchased with a one-time fee. Second, you can opt for an Annual Recording Number for an annual fee. Finally, a Horse ID number, with no eligibility for awards, is free. To get a Horse Recording Application/ID, simply log in to your US Equestrian account, scroll down to "Horse Options," select Horse Recording Application/ID, and follow the on-line instructions. To join USEF, or for more information, click ​this link.