PAGE 10

VOLUME 6, NO.  11

USDF
NEWS

USDF to Implement Horse-Identification Numbers

Dr. Edgar Hotz, a prominent dressage judge, died on October 17, 2001, from complications of a severe stroke. Edgar's judging career spanned 30 years and he eventually became an AHSA 'S' judge, Canadian 'S' judge and FEI 'I' judge. He officiated at countless major shows in the United States and abroad, including several Olympic selection trials, World Cup Finals, Olympic Festivals, and American Young Rider Championships.

He was a highly regarded instructor for aspiring judges and conducted many seminars and other educational activities. Edgar served on numerous committees, including the AHSA Dressage Committee and USET Dressage Committee. He served the on the AHSA Board of Directors from 1996 to 1998. He was also a member of the USDF Judges Council, the USDF "L" Program Faculty, and the German Judges Association. He will be sorely missed by his many friends and colleagues as well as the many competitors who had the privilege of riding in shows where he officiated.

Edgar Hotz was born July 24, 1941 in Seeligenstadt, Germany. He studied economics in Germany and worked some time as a banker in Frankfurt. Edgar also was a member of the German Air Force Reserve. After the death of his father-in-law, he took over the Machine Tool Company owned by his wife's family and subsequently represented it in the United States. His parents preceded him in death.

His first riding experiences were in a private club near Munich. Later, he boarded several horses in the stable that was owned by the family of his future wife, Irmtraud. At the time, Edgar was active in all equestrian disciplines, including hunting which was one of his favorite activities.

He married Irmtraud in 1971 and they moved to the United States that same year. Since then, they resided at their Dogwood Farm in Lebanon, NJ. Besides being a passionate equestrian, Edgar was very fond of classical music. Already as a 12-year-old, he was the organist at many church ceremonies. Later, he also conducted choirs and gave piano recitals. He loved to read and indulge in animated conversations.

In his memory, Mrs. Hotz would appreciate donations to the Red Cross for victims of the September 11th attack. Contributions can be sent to any local American Red Cross office. Checks should be earmarked "Disaster Fund New York."

Beginning next June, USDF will track dressage horses' performance as well as their bloodlines through the use of horse-identification numbers (HIDs). The numbers will be assigned to all horses taking part in USDF/USA Equestrian-recognized dressage competitions, with the exception of breed-restricted USA Equestrian Regular Competitions (e.g., all-Arabian shows).

"The creation of USDF horse-identification numbers goes a long way toward providing USDF members with long-sought information-similar to that now available in Europe-about dressage horses' performance and the value of the various sport-horse bloodlines," said Sarah Jane Martin, USDF executive director. "Our goal is to build a database that will benefit breeders, buyers, sellers, competitors, and trainers alike by tracking and compiling this information. Eventually, mare owners, prospective buyers, and others will be able to obtain tangible evidence of horses' competitive performance and breeding merits."

USDF Region 1 director Janine Malone added: "USDF has recently started to post competition results online, and the ability to identify all horses and exhibitors competing in USDF/USA Equestrian-recognized competitions will greatly enhance the quality of the results for the immediate benefit of the dressage community. The program will benefit competitors at every level: Prospective buyers will be able to verify the competition records of horses they are considering for purchase, and the database will include not only registered horses of all breeds but also unregistered horses as well. The eventual result will be a better-educated buyer, and better horses of all breeds will be bred for amateurs and juniors as well as for professional riders."

Horses that are already recorded for life with USDF do not need new HID numbers. USDF life-recorded horses will be tracked using their existing lifetime registration numbers.
HIDs will be mandatory for participation in USDF/USA Equestrian-recognized dressage competitions beginning October 1, 2002. If a horse

entered in a recognized dressage competition on or after October 1, 2002, is not USDF life-recorded, his owner will be assessed a one-time fee of $20 in order to obtain a lifetime HID. The $20 fee may be applied toward later USDF lifetime horse recording, which costs $65. Horse owners will receive proof of identification in the form of a certificate or a laminated card, Martin said.

If a USDF nonmember owns or rides a horse entered in a USDF/USA Equestrian-recognized dressage competition on or after October 1, 2002, he or she will fill out a form to receive a USDF nonmember number. There will be no charge for USDF nonmember-number applications.

Currently, if an owner or rider cannot produce a membership card at a competition, he or she may not ride in an ABIC/USDF Regional Championships qualifying class. Beginning January 1, 2002, affidavits for HIDs, rider USDF-membership verification, owner USDF-membership verification, and USDF lifetime horse-registration verification will be available at all USDF/USA Equestrian-recognized dressage competitions. Completing these affidavits will allow USDF members to compete if they have forgotten their membership documentation. The affidavit fee will be $5, which is the same amount that USA Equestrian currently charges for its membership-affidavit processing.

Performance and breeding statistics of horses competing in USDF/USA Equestrian-recognized dressage shows will be tracked beginning in the 2002-2003 competition year, which begins October 1, 2002.

HIDs are for competition-eligibility purposes only and do not of themselves make a horse eligible to receive USDF year-end awards.

For more information about the HID program, contact USDF at (402) 434-8550 or send an email to sjmartin@usdf.org.