Sanneke Rothenberger and Deveraux OLD.

© FEI/Digi Shots

By Equestrian Life

If you have ever been confused by the different dressage levels and competitions, you’re not alone - it’s easy to get mixed up when the acronyms are all so similar!

CDI

CDI stands for Concours de Dressage International (International Dressage Event).

These events are recognised by the world governing body of equestrian sports, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (F.E.I.).

CDI 1* competitions - Up to FEI Intermediate I, including Intermediate I Freestyle.

CDI 2* competitions - Up to FEI Grand Prix, excluding FEI Grand Prix Special and FEI Grand Prix Freestyle.

CDI 3* competitions - FEI Grand Prix, including FEI Grand Prix Special and/or FEI Grand Prix Freestyle. Medium and small tour may also be scheduled.

CDI 4* competitions - FEI Grand Prix, including FEI Grand Prix Special and/or FEI Grand Prix Freestyle. Medium and small tour may also be scheduled.

CDI 5* competitions - FEI Grand Prix including FEI Grand Prix Special and /or FEI Grand Prix Freestyle. Medium and small tour may also be scheduled.

The star ratings for events also relate to a number of other factors, such as the level of the judges present, the participation requirements and the prizemoney on offer.

Small Tour - Prix St Georges (PSG) and Intermediate I (Inter I).

Medium Tour - Intermediate A and Intermediate B

Big Tour - Intermediate II (Inter II), Grand Prix (GP), Grand Prix Special (GPS) and Grand Prix Freestyle (also called the Kur, dressage to music)

CDI-W

World Cup qualifying or World Cup classes are held at the CDI show.

CDI-Y

This is a dressage event run under FEI rules for young riders 16 to 21 years of age.

CDI-U25

This is a dressage event run under FEI rules for young riders 16 to 25 years of age.

CDI-J

This is a dressage event run under FEI rules for young riders 14 to 18 years of age.

CDI-Ch

This is a dressage event run under FEI rules for young riders 12 to 14 years of age.

CDI-P

This is a dressage event run under FEI rules for pony riders 12 to 16 years of age.

CDI-YH

This is a dressage event run under FEI rules for horses aged 5 and 6 years.

CDIO (3*, 4* and 5*)

There are Olympic qualifying or Olympic classes at the CDI show - this includes Nations Cup events.

CDN

CDN refers to events held in Australia that are run under national rules, rather than international FEI rules. There are also a number of levels for those competing below international level (i.e. EA events). These are:

Preliminary
Novice
Elementary
Medium
Advanced

FEI judges:

•    2* (“new”)—licensed to judge a limited range of international competitions through Prix St. Georges and Intermediate I (including 3* small-tour competitions and CDI 1* and 2* competitions); this rating is for judges whose home countries have no Grand Prix classes.
•     3* (formerly known as “international candidate” or “C”)—licensed to judge international competitions through Grand Prix, except for Olympic Games, FEI Grand Prix Championships and CDIs above the 3* level.
•    4* (formerly known as “international” or “I”)—licensed to judge most international competitions, excluding the Olympic Games and World Championships.
•    5* (formerly known as “official international” or “O”)—qualified to judge all international competitions.

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