Rising Stars Competition

Objective

The objective of the Rising Stars competition is to encourage the participation of riders 18 years and youngerin an environment that provides a fair playing field for junior riders, from beginners to advanced. Participate in Rising Stars events to meet other riders your age and compete on a team to win prizes.

Thanks to Platinum Rising Stars sponsor, Joan Macartney.

How to Join

Riders who are 18 years and younger as of Dec. 31, 2024, are automatically entered into the Rising Stars competition

Rising Stars Events

  • The Thursday Welcome Event, sponsored by Real Serve, is an opportunity to meet other Rising Stars participants, collect your welcome package stuffed with goodies, including a Rising Stars t-shirt and hat, register your team, and get a list of riding times so that you can cheer everyone on! Food will be served! This is a mandatory event that all Rising Stars are expected to attend.
  • Throughout the show, there will be opportunities to meet Olympic riders and hear from a Chef d’équip. Hang out at the Rising Stars booth to get your prizes and see what’s happening. Keep up-to-date on all events by following us on Instagram @ottawa_dressage_festival.
  • Pleasure Pairs – Sign up with a friend to ride in this group class on Thursday afternoon. Combinations will be judged on their ability to stay in sync through a series of walk, trot, canter and transition exercises, as requested by the judge. No movements above Training level will be required.
  • Rising Stars Equitation Championship – Friday Rising Star classes will have two judges in the ring, one judging the technical movements in the test and the second judge evaluating the equitation skills of the rider. The two Rising Stars riders with the best equitation scores 60% or over in each of these classes will qualify for the group class ride-off on Saturday. In 2024, the Equitation Championship is sponsored by Sandra Fraser.

Rising Star Awards

    Special ribbons and prizes will be awarded for:
  • Highest score in each designated Rising Stars class. Class prizes sponsored by Cristina’s Equine Bodywork.
  • Champion & Reserve for Training, First, Second, FEI Children, FEI Pony, FEI Junior (consult the prize list).
  • Sportsmanship Award. Prize sponsored by Greenhawk.
  • Team Awards for the top three teams. Prizes sponsored by Greenhawk.
  • Rising Stars Equitation Champion and Reserve Champion. Prizes sponsored by Sandra Fraser.

How to Form a Team

    Participants can create their own teams, and teams will be formed for those that don’t have one.
  • Teams are made of 3 or 4 horse/rider combinations.
  • Each horse/rider combination can be on one team only.
  • Teams can be made up of any level or mixed levels of horse/rider combinations.
  • Teams will be created at the Thursday Welcome event but need to be declared through the Rising Stars booth no later than the start of competition on Friday.

What to Expect in the Equitation Championship

So, you’ve qualified for the equitation ride-off – what can you expect? This is a group class with participants being directed to walk, trot, and canter both ways in the ring. Athletes will be evaluated on their equitation skills only. The judge may also ask for a simple Training Level pattern to be ridden individually. The pattern will be communicated to participants before class starts and also by the announcer. Please see the Equitation Patterns Get Adobe Reader.

More Information

Do you or your coach have questions? Find more details in the prize list or email us at .