What's the Difference between Affiliated and Unaffiliated Competitions? | Help & Advice | Houghton Country

Maybe you’re thinking of stepping up from unaffiliated shows with your horse to affiliated and are wondering what the difference really is, or you’ve seen shows advertised as unaffiliated and are wondering what that means. Affiliated competitions are ones that are run in affiliation with an association like British Showjumping,  British Dressage or British Eventing. Unlike unaffiliated shows which can be organised by any show centre and overseen by anyone, affiliated shows must be overseen by an Official from the body under which the show is organised, and horse and rider combinations entered must be registered or have paid to compete the horse ‘on a ticket’ if they are not registered. Affiliated horse shows allow the rider and the horse to earn points which stay with them for their lifetimes. These points mean that the combination can qualify for championships and finals, and become ineligible for lower level competition, keeping the competition fair for more novice combinations. Moving on to competing at affiliated shows can be daunting, and there are a lot of rules and regulations to get your head around. This post covers the basics, from eligibility for each level to what to expect on the day.

Unaffiliated showjumping or dressage shows or unaffiliated one day events can be run by any venue and are open to everybody. They are likely to run a variety of classes from low level, allowing grassroots as well as more advanced combinations to take part in any class that they would like. They are a fantastic way of getting into equestrian sport; they are accessible to most as there will very likely be venues local to you that run them, the entries are relatively inexpensive, and the atmosphere tends to be laid back and very supportive.

The disadvantage of unaffiliated competitions is that there are no restrictions on who can enter what class, meaning an advanced combination could enter a low level class because they want to win, making it an unlevel playing field. Prize money is sometimes at stake, so combinations entering at lower level than where their experience has taken them can be frustrating. Another disadvantage would be that these shows tend to not be as strictly run as affiliated showjumping or dressage shows, where there are strict rules to keep the competition safe and fair. The courses may not be built up to height, the oxers are likely to be relatively narrow, and the distances may not be accurate. There may be no limit on how many horses are permitted in the warm up at one time, so it may be very busy, and many competitors are not likely to be familiar with collecting ring etiquette, such as passing left to left or jumping the practice fences between the white and red wings.

These unaffiliated shows are perfect for someone looking to gain experience and make a start in their competitive time with their horse. Many show centres run both affiliated and unaffiliated showjumping events, and these venues are the ones that tend to offer better-run unaffiliated showjumping days.

British Showjumping is the affiliated body of showjumping in the UK. Courses will be built by a fully qualified course builder and judged by a qualified judge. Many people think affiliated jumping only has big classes, but British Showjumping classes actually start at 60cm and go up to 1.40m.

Club showjumping classes run from 60cm to 1m, and every time you jump clear or get placed, you collect points which dictate your position on the league table. Each area has a league table, and the combinations from each area that have gained the most points are invited to compete at National Championships. Club registration costs around £30 for the year, and is a fantastic way of getting into the sport and having the chance to compete at well-run shows and eventually in a championship atmosphere without having to jump very big. 

Cat. 2 showjumping shows are a lot more common and there is bound to be one local to you. Cat. 2 classes will start at 90cm and go up to 1.30m. There is also sometimes a clear round before the 90cm. When a horse has so many points, they are no longer eligible for smaller heights, but if the rider does not wish to move up, there is the possibility of entering the Open section. For example, a horse may have too many points to compete in the British Novice, but could enter the 90cm open. The eligibility is decided by the horse’s points, and the rider does not accumulate any points. There are rules, however, regarding rider eligibility for certain classes, for example if they have historically jumped at much higher level, and this information will be on the show schedule. Jumping clear in Cat. 2 restricted classes including British Novice, Discovery, Newcomers and Foxhunter qualifies you for Second Rounds and then Finals. It is worth knowing that when the class is single phase, the second half of the course of jumps can be up to 10cm higher than the start height – for example, a 90cm class can go up to 1m, so you must be confident jumping at least 10cm higher than the class you enter.

There are also National Amateur classes starting at 85cm.

International Showjumping (governed by the FEI) starts at 1.10m (1*) and goes up to 1.60m (5*). 

Affiliated showjumping requires you to wear a show jacket, light breeches, a show shirt with a white chest and collar, and proper riding boots. There are also rules about the tack your horse can compete in, which can be found in the British Showjumping Rulebook. The rules of what to wear to unaffiliated showjumping vary, with some venues allowing you to compete in casual wear.

Both the horse and rider, as well as the horse’s owner, must be registered to compete at affiliated events, but there is the option of jumping on a ticket where you pay an additional fee to compete without registering if you are just giving it a go.

Your horse will gain a record which can be searched by anybody who is a member of BS. Generally, if you are looking to sell a horse, having a good record at affiliated level increases the asking price.

The British Showjumping Rulebook will tell you everything you need to know about competing in affiliated jumping.

The FEI are the governing body for international equestrian sport. If you compete in International classes, which can take place in any country including the UK, you will have to compete under FEI regulations, which can vary from those set by British Showjumping. 

Unaffiliated dressage can be organised by any equestrian centre and run by anyone. Unaffiliated shows vary greatly in how they are run – some will be almost exactly like going to an affiliated British Dressage show, while others are very laid back, allowing you to take your time in the ring and compete in whatever tack you like.

Dressage has more rules than showjumping surrounding what tack and equipment your horse can wear – if you are new to dressage you may find this guide on Dressage for Beginners helpful, and the British Dressage Rulebook is worth familiarising yourself with, as most unaffiliated events will be at least loosely run to these rules. Others will be a lot more casual and allow you to compete in non dressage legal tack, for example.

The main difference between unaffiliated and affiliated is that judges are likely to score more generously at unaffiliated competitions. Stepping up from unaffiliated to affiliated dressage can therefore mean that you see a decrease in your scores at first. Unaffiliated shows can also be judged by anyone the venue asks, often coaches or trainee judges, whereas affiliated must enlist a listed judge who has undergone extensive training and has gained a qualification.

Where you would usually be eliminated in affiliated dressage, for example in the case of a fall or forgetting movements of your test several times, unaffiliated judges may let you continue.

It is generally expected that competitors wear light breeches, a show jacket, a high collared shirt with a stock or tie, and proper riding boots to compete in unaffiliated dressage, but the show schedule of your competition should confirm the dress code as it can vary at unaffiliated events, with some permitting more casual wear. 

Unaffiliated dressage events make a great first competition for a novice horse or rider, with some classes involving only walk and trot (Intro classes). Again, the main disadvantage is that there are less rules to keep competition fair and safe, as well as the fact that stepping up to affiliated will likely see your scores lower.

Affiliated dressage in the UK is governed by British Dressage. Shows run by British Dressage will be strict in their enforcement of the rules and regulations set out in the British Dressage Rulebook, and the atmosphere may feel a little more serious than at unaffiliated shows.

If you are just starting out in affiliated dressage, you will be eligible for any class that you would like to do. Classes run from Intro, Prelim, Novice, Elementary, Medium, Advanced Medium, Advanced, Prix St Georges (PSG) which is the start of International level classes, Inter I, Inter II, and Grand Prix.

When you go to enter, you will see you can put yourself in the Bronze, Silver or Gold section. Bronze is for novice combinations at that level, allowing you the chance to qualify for Area Festivals. Silver is for a rider more established at that level, allowing you the chance to qualify for Regionals, while Gold is for riders truly established at that level perhaps riding a younger horse. These sections are designed to keep competition fair – classes are split so you compete against those in your section for placings and points, and as a rider progresses, they become ineligible for Bronze or Silver sections. For example, a rider who has competed to high level may have to enter the Gold section of a Prelim test, meaning if you are doing your first Prelim, you will not be competing against this rider.

Horses also accumulate points which can make them ineligible for certain classes and sections. When you register, British Dressage will need to see proof of your horse’s passport to ascertain whether he has any existing points.

British Dressage implements the rules and regulations strictly, so if you do not follow them, you will be eliminated. You may find the atmosphere a little more serious than unaffiliated, but there is nothing to be intimidated by, and every other rider in the warm up understands we all have to start somewhere!

Unaffiliated shows are less expensive to enter, tend to be laid back and encouraging to all, and are a great way of getting yourself out and about competing, but they are often not as well-run as affiliated shows.

Affiliated shows require you to register yourself and your horse with the governing body of your sport, entry fees are usually more expensive, and the rules are strictly adhered to. However, affiliated dressage and showjumping shows tend to be run more professionally and safely, give yourself and your horse an official record, and allows you the opportunity to qualify for various Championships.

If you are serious about sport, affiliated competitions will be what you will get most out of, whereas if you are looking to go to your first show, an unaffiliated day will probably see you have more fun and feel more at ease. That said, don’t be under the illusion that affiliated shows are only for fancy warmbloods and professional riders – shows run by the governing bodies welcome all types of horse and rider combinations, and once you have started competing affiliated, you’ll never want to go back!