Steward's Guide to Equestrian Australia Dressage Adults 18+ 2026

EA Dressage Stewards update their accreditation every 3-year cycle, with re-accreditation taking place in March for each cycle. To remain accredited a steward must:

• attend a National Stewards Refresher Seminar/Course within the 3-year cycle
• have actively stewarded at dressage events at least 3 times during the cycle
• submit the Steward Official re-accreditation form to the EA National Office every 3 years
• remain a financial member of Equestrian Australia
• adhere to the official rules and guidelines of Equestrian Australia
• adhere to the EA Code of Conduct for Officials and the FEI Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse

A steward who does not meet the requirements may request an extension of their accreditation for a period of time. A steward who, after an extension, still does not meet the requirements is removed from the EA National Stewards list.

Source: EA National Dressage Rules 1 January 2026, Section 12, rule 12.30. EA lists the re-accreditation forms at https://www.equestrian.org.au/content/officials-re-accreditation-forms-0.

A steward is a trained, accredited EA or FEI official. Accredited categories are: Steward General Australia Dressage; FEI Stewards (levels 1 to 4, with 4 the highest); and Nationally accredited Stewards Level 1 and 2 (2 is the highest).

Every Official Competitive event must have a minimum of one Level 1 Nationally accredited dressage steward or a higher-level steward appointed. For larger events, the number of stewards should be appropriate to the number of competition and warm-up areas in use, on the recommendation of the appointed Chief Steward. An FEI Steward must be appointed by the Organising Committee for FEI-sanctioned events such as CDIs.

Non-accredited assistants:

• National Candidate Stewards have attended an EA Official Stewards course but not yet met all other prerequisites. They may carry out all steward duties under the supervision of an accredited steward. The rule allowing an Organising Committee to apply to use one in place of an accredited steward ran until 31 December 2024.
• Marshals (approved representatives of the steward) may be appointed to attend the gear check area and assist. A marshal is a volunteer who is neither an accredited steward nor a candidate steward.

Source: EA National Dressage Rules 1 January 2026, rules 6.4 and 6.6.

A gear check is compulsory for each test. A trained steward at the gear check area is responsible for:

• checking each competitor off the draw
• checking the gear of each competitor for each test immediately after the test is completed (a rider who does not have their gear checked after each test is eliminated)
• guiding the rider on the legality of saddlery, equipment and dress under Section 5 of the rules and the current Dressage Equipment Annex
• reporting any discrepancy to the Judge at C
• consulting the Technical Delegate or, in their absence, the Chief Judge, if in doubt about any item
• at restricted events, if an accredited steward is appointed, advising and supervising volunteers or approved representatives

A visual check before the rider leaves the last warm-up arena may be done, but the rider can decline it.

Source: EA National Dressage Rules 1 January 2026, rules 4.4 and 6.4.1; current equipment list at https://www.equestrian.org.au/dressage-rules.

• If the bit or bridle is in question, undertake a bit check. Illegal bits entail elimination by the C judge.
• If a bit inspection requires removing the bridle, a head collar or halter must be made available, or the horse can be taken to a safer environment such as a stable. Any removal of equipment must be done by the rider or their agent.
• Use disposable surgical or protective gloves, one new pair for each horse, if inspecting the bridle (mouth area), checking the noseband, or touching the horse or spurs.
• Only the rider or their agent should alter any equipment. The gear steward must not alter any gear unless invited to do so by the rider. If gear is too tight, loose or incorrectly fitted, the rider or their agent makes the adjustments.
• It remains the rider's responsibility to comply with the equipment rules.
• If in doubt about any item of saddlery or equipment, consult the Technical Delegate or, in their absence, the Chief Judge.
• Every consideration should be given to avoid disturbing the harmony of the horse and rider.

Source: EA National Dressage Rules 1 January 2026, rule 6.4.1.

Whips: have a 1.0 m and a 1.2 m gauge accessible (for example a tube, rod, tape measure or mark on a fence). Riders of horses may carry a whip up to 1.20 m and riders of ponies up to 1.00 m, with the tassel included in the measurement. Incorrect length or use of a whip entails elimination.

Horse identification numbers: two must be worn when competing, one on each side (saddlecloth or bridle), at least 3.5 to 4 cm high, in black or dark text on a white background. They must be worn whenever the horse is ridden, lunged, led, tethered or grazed from arrival until the end of the event. For breaches on the grounds, give an initial verbal warning, then a Yellow Warning Card for further non-compliance. A horse that enters the arena without correct numbers is deducted 0.50% per judge.

Stallions: green stallion identification discs or number holders must be worn at all times at an event, in addition to the horse number. Non-compliance results in a Yellow Warning Card.

Source: EA National Dressage Rules 1 January 2026, rules 4.8.5, 5.6 and 6.4.1.

At the gear check at the end of the test:

• Fresh blood in the horse's mouth or in the area of the spurs: the steward (or the steward's approved representative) informs the Judge at C, who eliminates the horse and the athlete.
• Fresh blood anywhere else on the horse's body: the steward informs the Judge at C. The horse is not automatically eliminated, but the Judge at C may eliminate it.

A veterinarian may inspect the horse after elimination to decide whether it is fit to continue in another test, and informs the Organising Committee in writing before that test. The veterinarian's opinion is final.

Any form of protective skin covering on the horse, such as plaster, tape, a belly band covering or a towel, whether or not the skin is broken, is strictly forbidden at an event and entails elimination if used.

Source: EA National Dressage Rules 1 January 2026, rules 1.4 and 4.4.

An FEI or nationally accredited steward may issue a Yellow Warning Card or Recorded Warning Card, but only when officiating at an event.

• Yellow Warning Card must be issued for actions occasioning abuse of a horse, abuse of an official (including abusive or bullying behaviour), failure to follow an official's direction relating to compliance with the rules, and failure to comply with stallion identification. A stallion without its green identification disc or number holder also incurs a Yellow Warning Card.
• Recorded Warning Card may be issued for failing to wear an EA-approved tagged helmet, and for inappropriate or undesirable behaviour by an athlete towards an official or volunteer.
• The official must notify the Person Responsible, the Ground Jury where applicable, and the State Branch CEO as soon as possible, and advise the State Branch CEO and State Dressage Authority of the card and the reasons within 48 hours after delivery.
• The card is delivered personally during the period of the event. If the person cannot be notified then after reasonable efforts, they must be notified in writing within 14 days of the event.
• It is preferable for a parent or guardian to be present when a rider under 18 is issued a card.

Source: EA National Dressage Rules 1 January 2026, rules 1.6 and 4.8.5.

A Chief Steward must be appointed for all Australian Championships and State Championships, and is highly recommended for Regional and Official events where more than one steward is needed. If only one steward is on duty, they are automatically the Chief Steward. The Chief Steward is appointed from the current list of FEI accredited and Nationally accredited Stewards.

The Chief Steward is responsible for ensuring horse welfare is upheld, the rules and a fair playing field are adhered to, and the event is conducted safely. They are expected to supervise competition, training and warm-up areas, stables and other areas where horses are held, ridden or treated.

Duties they are authorised to undertake (the list is not exhaustive) include: arranging for the gate to be open at least 1.5 hours before competitions begin; briefing stewards; confirming with the Organising Committee how many stewards are needed and preparing rosters; ensuring results are updated and competitions run to time; ensuring arenas are correctly set up with safe surfaces; and managing stabling and warm-up areas. Where no Technical Delegate is appointed, the Chief Steward undertakes many of a Technical Delegate's responsibilities.

Source: EA National Dressage Rules 1 January 2026, rule 6.5.

The rules give stewards these duties:

• supervise the warm-up areas
• ensure the welfare of the horse is paramount
• assist the ground jury by checking competition arena set-up, safety and surface
• communicate with the Organising Committee
• issue Yellow Warning Cards where warranted

Any official is authorised to intervene to prevent any abuse of horses by riders, grooms, owners or any other person, and to prevent any contravention of the common principles of behaviour, fairness and accepted standards of sportsmanship.

The stated purpose of stewarding is to protect the welfare of the horse and ensure fair play, to assist in making events run safely, and to support the Organising Committee in running the event under the EA rules and regulations.

Source: EA National Dressage Rules 1 January 2026, rules 6.4.1 and 6.5.